By Ashley Reyes
Automotive content creators are on a mission to show the world that the car community is for everyone. Through "Road to SEMA," 11 passionate car builders will document their multi-state and cross-country journeys to showcase their vehicles at the 2025 SEMA Show, offering a new perspective on the accessibility and passion of the automotive aftermarket. Social media audiences can follow along as they share their unique stories, relatable challenges and inspiring triumphs along the way.
As content creators take on a growing role in the automotive world, Road to SEMA celebrates their influence and connection to the industry. Traveling hundreds of miles from small-town garages, desert highways and even across the Atlantic Ocean, their content will serve as a bridge where viewers can connect with car culture--and the SEMA Show--in fresh, authentic ways.
"The SEMA Show showcases thousands of vehicles each year, but it's the stories behind those vehicles that truly inspire," said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. "By supporting initiatives like Road to SEMA, we're celebrating the courage of creators who aren't driven by trends but defining what's next and showing the world what's possible."
Each creator's journey will culminate with their arrival at the SEMA Show, taking place November 4-7 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Each build will be featured in the Road to SEMA Showcase, located in Central Hall, booth #21651. Here, SEMA Show attendees will not only be inspired but also reminded that anyone can make their mark on the automotive world.
"Road to SEMA offers an authentic view on the everyday people who have a passion for this industry," said Road to SEMA participant Steven Nadaskai. "Our goal is to show that everyone has a place in the automotive community--no matter your background or level of experience."
Road to SEMA Participants
Driver: Don Abenante, @donabenante
Vehicle: '70 Chevelle
Origin Point: Rhode Island, USA
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 2,700 miles
Journey: Abenante has owned the Chevelle since he was 15, originally planning it as a father-son build with his late dad. Though they never finished it together, the Chevelle became Abenante's source of strength, learning and purpose through every chapter of his life. Over 21 years, it's evolved alongside him, now reborn as a modern street machine that wears its patina proudly. Beneath its classic shell hides a 1,400hp twin-turbo Coyote engine.
Drivers: Ashley Cooley, @_rustic_beauty; Christina Lardie, @christinalardie; Audrey LeMay, @audreysquadries; Riley Schlick, @rileysrebuilds; Annie Van Orman, @annies_vw
Vehicle: '66 Ford Fairlane
Origin point: Denver, Colorado
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 506 miles
Journey: The Creator Race Team, in partnership with the Jessi Combs Foundation, honored Jessi Combs by building and racing a '66 Ford Fairlane in The Great Race. Now, they continue her mission with a road trip through the Rockies, Moab, Zion and Nevada desert, arriving at the SEMA Show to carry her torch and inspire the next generation of builders.
Driver: Brad Eldershaw, @backfire.brad
Vehicle: '99 Mercedes E240 Limousine
Origin Point: Stoke-on-Trent, England
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 3,500 miles driven to the SEMA Show, 5,125 miles from the United Kingdom
Journey: The Road2SEMA Drift Limo is a 1,100hp LS twin-turbo V8. Featuring six bucket seats, a full drift differential and suspension setup, and a completely strengthened, rebuilt chassis, it's engineered for high-octane sideways performance with uncompromising power and precision.
Driver: Corey England, @corezlark
Vehicle: '15 Lamborghini Huracan Twin Turbo V10
Origin Point: Exeter, England
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 3,500 miles driven to SEMA, 5,000-plus miles from the United Kingdom
Journey: The Twin-Turbo Lamborghini Huracán is a 1,100hp, 5.2L V10 supercar built for extreme performance. Limited to 220 mph, this engineering marvel features world-class power, endurance and precision on the Road2SEMA charity rally.
Driver: Louis Hadfield, @haddzy
Vehicle: '94 Subaru GF8 22B WRX STi Wagon
Origin Point: Preston, England
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 11,000-plus miles--includes travel from Preston, England, to Malta for the engine swap and back to the United Kingdom for shipping to New Jersey.
Journey: Hadfield's 1-of-200 first-series WRX STI GF8 Wagon has been masterfully restyled into a 22B-inspired creation, making it a true one-of-one worldwide. Powered by a naturally aspirated Ferrari 360 V8 and equipped with an EBC Brakes big brake kit, it perfectly balances power, precision and exclusivity.
Driver: Jack Thorton, @jackbuildsit
Vehicle: Mk4 Supra
Origin Point: Winter Garden, Florida
Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 3,500 miles
Journey: Once a wrecked hopeless Supra with dented panels, cracked bumpers and faded paint the vehicle sat forgotten in Thorton's shop. Piece by piece, he rebuilt it. Now, under the bright lights of the SEMA Show, its deep green paint gleams like armor. The nightmare became a masterpiece with fresh metal, a restored heart and a new soul.
Driver: Steven Nadaski, @typicalstevenn
Vehicle: '13 Porsche Cayenne and '11 Volkswagen GTI
Origin point: Mission Viejo, California
Miles Driven: 280 miles
Journey to the Show: The Volkswagen has been at SEMA since 2019, competing as Nadaski's SEMA Battle of the Builders Young Guns build. This year, he is bringing it back again, but trailered by his newest build: an off-road/overland-built Porsche Cayenne.