By SEMA News Editors
Pettus Wins 2026 SEMA Battle of the Builders With '70 Chevrolet Chevelle
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.
SEMA Battle of the Builders Bike Builder Shootout Crowns Inaugural Champion
The inaugural SEMA Battle of the Builders: Bike Builder Shootout presented by Mothers has crowned Steven Iacona as its first-ever champion, recognizing his exceptional craftsmanship, creativity and innovation in custom motorcycle building. Iacona earned the honor with a custom Harley-Davidson Knucklehead, which rose to the top of a competitive field of builders from across the country.
"It's amazing. I've never been to the SEMA Show before, but it's always been something I've wanted to experience," said Iacona, owner of Iacona Custom Cycles in Brooklyn, New York. "To be next to these great builders on stage, it's just incredible. It's a great thing for the motorcycle industry, and it's great to bring new life into the industry."
The competition was evaluated by a panel of respected motorcycle industry experts, including Zach Ness of Arlen Ness Motorcycles, Jeff Holt of V-Twin Visionary, and Pat Patterson of Led Sled Customs. Judges reviewed entries based on craftsmanship, design innovation, and overall execution before selecting finalists and naming Iacona the overall champion.
"I began with a 1945 Knucklehead engine that we had, and I just needed to find the right customer that would let me do what I wanted with it," said Iacona. "I built a bike similar to what I had heard the stock Knucklehead was and just enhanced it. I didn't want to disrespect the Knucklehead, and this is what I came up with. The customer is going to ride it and enjoy it, and that's all that matters."
The addition of the motorcycle category reflects SEMA's ongoing commitment to expanding opportunities across the specialty-equipment industry and strengthening the powersports presence at the SEMA Show. The new competition recognizes the builders who continue to push innovation, craftsmanship, and creativity forward within motorcycle customization.
"The Bike Builder Shootout reflects SEMA's support for every segment of the customization industry and creating new opportunities for builders to showcase their work," said SEMA Vice President of Marketing RJ de Vera. "The creativity and craftsmanship displayed throughout this competition exceeded our expectations. We're excited to build on this momentum and further expand the powersports presence at the SEMA Show in the years ahead."
The Bike Builder Shootout was introduced in 2026 as an expansion of the renowned SEMA Battle of the Builders competition, creating a dedicated platform for motorcycle builders to showcase their work on the industry's biggest stage. The new category celebrates the artistry, engineering, and passion driving motorcycle customization while bringing motorcycle builders into one of the aftermarket industry's most prestigious builder competitions.
Bike Builder Shootout Finalists
• Winner: Steven Iacona — Harley-Davidson Knucklehead
• 2nd Place: Robert Zeolla — Indian In-Line 4
• 3rd Place: James Crosby — Harley-Davidson Pan Head
For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders competition and this year's winners, visit www.sema.org/botb.
