The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) announced the Top 40 builders in the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition. Battle of the Builders is a competition to honor and recognize builders at the premier automotive trade show, the SEMA Show. The 2018 Battle of the Builders Top 40 are (by category):
HOT RODS
- Dale Boesch – 1936 Ford Roadster
- Phil & Jeremy Gerber – 1970 Chevy Camaro
- Kyle Tucker – 1969 Chevy Camaro
- Steve Legens – 1936 Pontiac Silver Streak
- Tom Nelson – 1955 Chevy Bel Air
- Steve Keefer – 1970 Chevy Chevelle
- Tim Kilkeary – 1956 Pontiac Star Chief
- Cam Miller – 1970 Chevy El Camino
- Dave Salvaggio – 1970 Dodge Charger
- Jonathan Goolsby – 1974 Plymouth Duster
SPORT COMPACT
- Rod Nielsen – 1972 Mazda R100
- Muzzy Yousefi – 2004 Nissan 350Z
- Igor Polishchuk – 1987 BMW 325
- Gary Brown – 1956 VW Bug
- Takahiko Izawa – 2008 Nissan R35 GT-R
- Jorge Martinez – 2017 Nissan GT-R
- Mike Pateras – 2005 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti WRC
- Sawn Bassett – 1972 Nissan Datsun 240Z
- Ernie Manansala – 2018 Nissan GT-R
- Ryan Jones – 2000 Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R
TRUCKS/OFF-ROAD
- Eddie Pettus – 1932 Willys Aircraft Refueling Truck
- Jeremiah Proffitt – 1993 Toyota 79 Series
- Jason Graham – 1934 Ford Pickup
- Blake Stoner – 1956 Chevy Carryall
- Erik Barnlund – 1974 Ford Bronco
- Juan Diego Calle – 1984 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ43
- Ross Logsdon – 1956 Chevy C10
- Carter Reed – 2019 Ford Ranger
- Randy Weaver – 1941 Dodge Power Wagon
- Billy Bibb – 1973 Scout II
YOUNG GUNS
- Brad DeBerti – 2018 Ford F150
- Jacob Griffin – 1927 Ford Roadster
- Dylan Goacher – 1968 Chevy Nova
- Tanner Timblin – 1964 Chevy C10
- Jesus Lopez – 1985 Mazda RX7
- Luke Merrill – 1931 Chevy Rat Rod Hauler
- Kyle Kuhnhausen – 1972 Nissan 240Z
- Corey Williams – 1967 Pontiac GTO
- Zach Lagarenne – 1988 BMW M3
- Ryan Martin – 1957 Chevy 150 Hardtop
The Battle of the Builders Top 12 will be announced at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31 at SEMA Central in the Grand Lobby. These 12 finalists, chosen by industry judges, represent the best of the best in the industry.