Lone Star Throwdown 2026 was an event not to miss. Coming off a very cold and rainy 2025 show—and with 2026 starting off snowy across much of the United States—anticipation was high for warmer, drier weather. Fortunately, this year delivered exactly that. Sunny skies and warm temperatures brought spectators out in huge numbers throughout the entire weekend.
Photography and article supplied by Chris Gosda (@photosbyCG13)
With gates and ticket booths opening at 8 a.m. each day, lines were already forming by 7:30 a.m. on Saturday. By midday, the event grounds were packed with attendees capturing photos and videos as vehicles cruised through the show. As usual, the main arena featured American Force Wheels and their handpicked display of standout builds. Inside the pavilions, the C10 Truck Club filled one half while Relaxed Atmosphere club vehicles occupied the other.
Nearby, displays from Plan B Fab and Nitto Tire added even more excitement to the indoor areas. Past the judging lanes, another indoor section showcased high-end builder displays complete with custom lighting, stanchions, and detailed flooring setups that highlighted the craftsmanship behind each build.
Once outside, the full scale of the event became clear. Vehicles filled nearly every corner of the Lone Star Expo Center & Montgomery County Fairgrounds. While many people assume Lone Star Throwdown is strictly a truck show, this year proved it truly welcomes everything. Alongside lifted and lowered trucks and SUVs, spectators could also find restored classic cars, custom imports, SXS builds, off-road rigs, and even a unique tractor featuring the cab of a first-generation Ford Econoline.
For builders working on projects at home, there were plenty of vendors on site offering wheels, tires, suspension components, billet parts, and fabrication services. Spectators could also browse a wide variety of apparel vendors selling shirts, hats, stickers, and other automotive lifestyle merchandise.
After the rough weather in 2025, it’s safe to say Lone Star Throwdown 2026 was a massive success for the promoters, participants, vendors, and thousands of fans who attended throughout the weekend.
If you missed it this year, be sure to mark your calendar for the next event scheduled for February 26–28, 2027.
Specialty Award Winners
Memorial Awards
Pickle Memorial Award
Entry #R247 — Dominic Cortez — San Antonio, TX — 2011 Ford F350
Greg Miller Memorial Award
Entry #R1598 — Luiz Vasquez — Tulare, CA — 1972 Chevrolet C10
Josh Coleman Memorial Award
Entry #R1476 — Carlos Zapata — Pearland, TX — 1972 Chevrolet C10
NC Memorial Award
Entry #R1397 — John Vradenburg — Brooksville, FL — 1994 Nissan Hardbody
Sponsor Choice Awards
Airlift Choice
Entry #R2073 — Christerfer Pate (Mobile Toys Inc) — College Station, TX — 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
Allout Offroad Choice
Entry #R2261 — Nate Scrivner (American Force) — Eldon, MO — 2024 Ford F350
American Force Choice
Entry #R566 — Travis Hellewell — San Luis Obispo, CA — 1949 Chevrolet 3100
Kicker Choice
Entry #R2171 — Paul Rutledge (Complete Performance) — Jasper, TX — 1972 Ford F350
MTI Choice
Entry #R1422 — Jason Watts — Liberty Hill, TX — 1996 GMC Sierra 1500
PSE Choice
Entry #R1495 — Charlie Morris — Brenham, TX — 1971 Ford F100
Raceline Choice
Entry #R2094 — Terrence Potter (Raceline Wheels) — Houston, TX — 1957 Chevrolet C10
Renegade Products Choice
Entry #R2024 — Rikki Bell (Bodyguard Bumpers) — Paris, TX — 2024 Ford F250 Platinum
Special Recognition
Hard Luck Award
Entry #R496 — Eddie Gordy Jr — Germanton, NC — 1991 Mazda B2200
Longest Distance
Entry #R1062 — Earnie Reddic — Marysville, WA — 2015 GMC Sierra 1500
Kids Choice
Entry #R447 — David Ginter — Katy, TX — 2018 Ford F-450
Ladies Choice
Entry #R2222 — Sirena Vecellio (Renegade) — Pueblo, CO — 1977 Ford F150
Police Officers Choice
Entry #R274 — Daniel Cumby — Santa Fe, TX — 2016 Ford F150
Best Club
Team Billet
Category Awards
Best Undercarriage
Entry #R2179 — Dwayne Manns (Plan B Fab) — Sorrento, FL — 1987 Chevrolet 3500
Best Engine
Entry #R1330 — Ken Tilton — Glendale, AZ — 1970 Chevrolet C10
Best Interior
Entry #R2076 — Mike Lau (Mobile Toys Inc) — College Station, TX — 1970 Chevrolet C10
Best Paint
Entry #R404 — Marlon Fuselier — Lake Charles, LA — 1955 Chevrolet 3100 Pickup
Best Graphics
Entry #R1069 — Patrick Reid — San Leon, TX — 2008 Ford Ranger
Best Female Owned
Entry #R1260 — Carolyn Sonnier — New Caney, TX — 1959 Chevrolet Apache
Best 25 Years Old & Under
Entry #R262 — Keegan Craighead — Salem, VA — 1988 Mitsubishi Mighty Max
Best Under Construction
Entry #R287 — Jason Danos — Raceland, LA — 1964 Ford F100
Best Engineered
Entry #R2204 — Dustin Sterling (MTI) — College Station, TX — 1968 Chevrolet C10
Best Bike
Entry #R253 — Darin Cottrell — McAllen, TX — 2014 Harley-Davidson Street Glide
Best Tow Pig
Entry #R642 — Robert Jenkins — Blue Springs, MO — 1987 Freightliner Cor
Best Lowrider
Entry #R957 — Adam Ochoa — Spring, TX — 1968 Lincoln Continental
Best Import Car
Entry #R604 — Scott Hopkins — Hiram, GA — 1956 Volkswagen Beetle
Elite 5 Lifted
Bryan Summers (Plan B Fab) — 1965 Ford F100
Mike Hunt — 2024 Ford F250
Danny Derasmo (JTX) — 1951 Dodge Power Wagon
Rick Waychoff — 2024 Ford F350
Stephanie York (Plan B Fab) — 2024 Ford Bronco
Top 10 Mini Truck
John Vradenburg — 1994 Nissan Hardbody
Steven Bell — 1995 Chevrolet S10
Smiley Mikeska — 1991 Toyota Pickup
Keith Chandler — 1992 Mazda B2600i
John Juarez (Chassis Fab) — 2000 Chevrolet S10
Heather Montgomery — 1992 Nissan Hardbody
Deven Ramsey — 2004 Toyota Tacoma
Jonathon Verret — 1996 Toyota Tacoma
Shane Evans — 2003 Nissan Frontier
Daniel Brummett — 2013 Toyota Tacoma
Additional Awards
Promoters Choice
Entry #R1134 — Terry Rose — Mount Juliet, TN — 1959 Chevrolet Suburban
Best Debut
Entry #R2239 — Scott Luscombe (MTI) — Mont Belvieu, TX — 1985 Chevrolet K10
Best SUV
Entry #R2073 — Christerfer Pate — 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe
Best American Car
Entry #R2047 — Jake McKiddie — 1961 Cadillac Coupe De Ville
Best Classic Car
Entry #R1252 — Robert Smith — 1967 Chevrolet Nova
Best Classic Truck
Entry #R496 — Eddie Gordy Jr — 1991 Mazda B2200
Best Full Size
Entry #R2014 — Larry Gloria (Tre 5 Customs) — 1972 Chevrolet C10
Best of Show
🏆 Entry #R411 — Ed Ganzinotti — Montgomery, TX — 1968 Dodge Charger
