By SEMA News Editors
Eddie Pettus won the overall title at the 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders Presented by Mothers competition with his '70 Chevrolet Chevelle. After winning the Hot Rod/Hot Rod Truck category, Pettus advanced to the final round with fellow class champions Buddy Hale (Sport Compact/Import Performance), Mark Giambalvo (Off-Road) and Jesse Rieger (Young Guns).
"This is just awesome and it was such a tough year," said Pettus. "It means so much to me and my team to do this, and to finally get the overall is an honor. The Chevelle was a five-year build, over 15,000 man-hours between the interior and the car being built."
The Chevelle is powered by a 1,300-hp twin-turbo LS3 engine paired with a 4L80 transmission from Bowler Performance. The drivetrain is supported by a Roadster Shop chassis with cantilever independent rear suspension and Brembo brakes, providing the foundation for the car's performance.
The exterior features a wedge-sectioned body, extended wheelbase and modified roofline, along with custom rocker panels and fender extensions. Pettus also incorporated flush-mounted glass, custom floor pans, wheelwells and firewall. The build is finished with an Avante Garde-designed interior, Dakota Digital gauges and custom wheels, grille, bumpers, lighting and exhaust.
"Eddie's Chevelle demonstrates the creativity, craftsmanship and technical expertise that define SEMA Battle of the Builders," said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. "The competition recognizes the talent, innovation and passion that drive the automotive and powersports industries. We're proud to celebrate the builders who continue to push the boundaries of vehicle design and fabrication."
The SEMA Battle of the Builders competition features four categories, with each category winner competing for the overall title. Hale won Sport Compact/Import Performance with a '55 Volkswagen Ghia, while Giambalvo earned the Off-Road title with a '74 Chevrolet K10. Rieger won the Young Guns category with a '69 Ford Mustang.
For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition and this year's winners, visit www.sema.org/botb.
