Automotive content creators are embarking on a journey to debut their custom vehicles at the 2025 SEMA Show and inviting viewers along for the ride

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 to showcase their vehicles at the 2025 SEMA Show, offering a new perspective on the 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 RJ de Vera, SEMA Vice President of Marketing. “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 Nov. 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 in the automotive world.

“Road to SEMA offers an authentic view on the everyday people that 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: 1970 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 has evolved alongside him, now reborn as a modern street machine that wears its patina proudly. Beneath its classic shell hides a 1,400-horsepower twin-turbo Coyote engine.

Drivers: Ashley Cooley, @_rustic_beauty; Christina Lardie, @christinalardie; Audrey LeMay, @audreysquadries; Riley Schlick, @rileysrebuilds; Annie Van Orman, @annies_vw

Vehicle: 1966 Ford Fairlane

Origin point: Denver, Colo.

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 1966 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: 1999 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 UK

Journey: The Road2SEMA Drift Limo is a 1,100bhp 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: 2015 Lamborghini Huracan Twin Turbo V10

Origin Point: Exeter, England

Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 3,500 miles driven to SEMA, 5,000+ miles from the UK

Journey: The twin-turbo Lamborghini Huracán is a 1,100bhp, 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: 1994 Subaru GF8 22B WRX STi Wagon

Origin Point: Preston, UK

Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 11,000+ miles – includes travel from Preston, UK, to Malta, UK, for the engine swap and back to the UK 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 1-of-1 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, Fla.

Miles Driven to SEMA Show: 3,500 miles

Journey: Once a wrecked hopeless Supra with dented panels, cracked

bumpers, and faded paint that 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: 2013 Porsche Cayenne and 2011 Volkswagen GTI

Origin point: Mission Viejo, Calif.

Miles Driven: 280 miles

Journey to the Show: The Volkswagon 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.

About SEMA and the SEMA Show

The SEMA Show is a trade show produced by the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), a nonprofit trade association founded in 1963. Since the first SEMA Show debuted in 1967, the annual event has served as the leading venue bringing together manufacturers and buyers within the automotive specialty equipment industry. Products featured at the SEMA Show include those that enhance the styling, functionality, comfort, convenience and safety of cars and trucks. Additional details are available at www.semashow.com or www.sema.org.

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“Road to SEMA" Captures the Heart and Passion of Car Culture