The High Performance Expo (HPX) announced the inaugural HPX Shop Car Challenge powered by Killer Performance, an exclusive, invite-only showcase of the finest custom builds coming out of the top performance shops in the country. The competition will take place June 2–4, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center as the centerpiece activation of HPX 2026.
What Is the HPX Shop Car Challenge?
The HPX Shop Car Challenge brings together a curated group of elite shops, each representing a recent customer build. Participating builds will span multiple segments, including late-model performance, racing, European, JDM, and off-road. Each build will be displayed on the show floor, in front of the most important audience in the East Coast performance industry, event officials stated in a press release.
“We reached out to a very short list of shops,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, co-founder of the High Performance Expo. “They are the ones whose work defines what is possible in this industry. The Shop Car Challenge is central to what makes HPX different, and it reinforces our commitment to showcasing the future of the automotive aftermarket.”
Participating builds will be featured prominently throughout the three-day event, placing each shop’s name, story and craftsmanship in front of manufacturers, race teams, retailers, distributors, media and dedicated performance enthusiasts on the East Coast.
Top Builder Award & People’s Choice Award
Two awards will be presented at the conclusion of the event. The Top Builder Award will be voted on by the competing shops themselves, a peer recognition from the people who understand exactly how hard this work is, HPX said. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by HPX attendees.
Justin Keith, co-founder of Killer Performance and co-presenter of the HPX Shop Car Challenge, championed the program after discussing the concept on the “Automotive Advantage” podcast.
“This is the competition I asked for,” Keith said. “Real customer builds from the best shops in the world, judged by the builders themselves. That is the only way to do it right.”
In addition to the live competition, each participating build will receive a dedicated editorial feature in HOT ROD magazine.
“At HOT ROD, we stay close to what’s really driving the hobby, and this challenge puts a spotlight right on it,” said Mike Galimi, network director of HOT ROD. “The invited shops reflect the latest trends, technology and style that are shaping the future of performance and moving the aftermarket forward. That’s what makes it so compelling for us: we get to dig into the builds and tell the stories behind what’s pushing everything ahead. We’re excited to be part of HPX in its second year.”
“We build cars that win when everything is on the line,” said Ron Mowen, owner of Vengeance Racing. “That is the standard we set. The shops competing against each other will decide on the Top Builder Award in the HPX Shop Car Challenge. You cannot fake your way through a room full of people who do the same work you do.”
About HPX 2026
The High Performance Expo will be held June 2–4, 2026, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. HPX brings together manufacturers, race teams, builders, retailers and enthusiasts in one of the nation’s leading motorsports hubs.
For more information on the HPX Shop Car Challenge or to inquire about exhibiting at HPX 2026, visit thehpx.com or contact Pamela Miller at pmiller@thehpx.com.