Syracuse Nationals
Awards
During the Syracuse Nationals, awards are given out to show appreciation to the vehicles that make this show the largest car show in the northeast. Awards range from the prestigious Gene Winfield Legacy Award to Specialty Awards given out by area reps. Below is a break down of the different awards that are given at the Syracuse Nationals.
The Gene Winfield legacy Award
Honoring a Legend: The Gene Winfield Legacy Award
One of the most prestigious honors at the Syracuse Nationals is awarded annually to a car owner who exemplifies true automotive artistry. Formerly known as the Winfield Award and presented by the legendary custom car builder Gene Winfield, this recognition has been renamed the Gene Winfield Legacy Award following Gene’s passing. A panel of his closest friends and colleagues will now carry on the tradition, selecting the vehicle that best captures Gene’s visionary spirit and lifelong dedication to custom car culture.
$15,000 in Prizes
To qualify, vehicles must be from 1937 or newer and feature at least one radical modification—such as being chopped, sectioned, or channeled. From these entries, a panel of expert judges will select six standout vehicles, dubbed the “Select Six.” These elite cars will be showcased indoors throughout the weekend at the Syracuse Nationals.
The grand prize winner will be announced Saturday evening at the Awards Banquet, receiving a custom trophy, commemorative jacket, and $10,000. The five remaining finalists will each take home a trophy, jacket, and $1,000.
$15,000 in Prizes
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR 2025 WINFIELD AWARD WINNER!
Eric Henderson was the first-place Winfield Award winner with his beautiful 1951 Ford convertible.
Jimmy & Debbie Hervatin were the first-place Winfield Award winners with their 1952 Ford pick-up.
Congratulations to all of the Winfield Select Six Candidates!
Jimmy & Debbie Hervatin
Barry & Wynell Stellar
Chris & Michelle Rusbach
Matt Hayes
Tom Larson
Paul White
2024 Winfield award WINNER
2023 Winfield award WINNER
Erin Yates was the first-place winner with a glowing gold 1949 Buick. Body work was done by Cody Walls.
History of the Winfield Award
Gene was a master of his craft, and world famous for his custom cars and hot rods. A recipient of the 2001 NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award, he has over 60 years experience in custom hot rod fabrication, land speed, and oval track racing. Winfield is one of the key players who started the customizing craze that first swept through California and then throughout the nation in the '50s and '60s. Gene's cars have appeared in more than 25 motion pictures.
Winfield's best known custom car, the "Jade Idol," started as a '56 Mercury. The "Jade Idol" positioned Winfield at the leading edge of auto exotica. This car took two years to build and received top sweepstakes awards at national car shows for the next several years.
Syracuse nationals top 10
Syracuse Nationals Top 10 Awards, presented by Monster Energy, are awarded to the top 10 vehicles at the show! Our Syracuse Nationals judges move through the crowd to pick out the best and most exceptional show cars from this year’s show!
Winners are selected and awarded where they sit. Hank Hanro, a close friend of the Syracuse Nationals, personally engraved the Syracuse National Top 10 Awards.
Congratulations to all of our 2025 Syracuse Nationals Top Ten Winners!
TONY BALDINO - 1963 CHEVY CORVETTE
TIM TAYLOR- 1963 PLYMOUTH MAX WEDGE
MIKE SCOTT - 1932 FORD ROADSTER
DENNIS HENDERSON - 1970 KARMANN GHIA
ROB G - 1950 FORD F-1
RYAN ARSENAULT - 1977 GMC JIMMY
BRIAN NELSON - 1972 DODGE CHALLENGER
SPENCER CAMPBELL - 1970 CHEVY CHEVELLE
RICH & SARA FORBES - 1926 FORD TRUCK
JOHN DOWNS - 1939 MORRIS 8
Tucci Hot rods style & Design award
Of the many awards given annually during the NAPA Auto Parts Syracuse Nationals, none are more coveted than the Style and Design Award, awarded by nationally known car designers and builders of Tucci Hot Rods, in Marcy, N.Y. Tucci roams the New York State Fairgrounds during the annual show and selects a few cars he believes are worthy of special attention.
3 Tucci Hot Rods Style & Design awards will be awarded. Theses awards are for vehicles that catch the eyes from a distance with the right stance and back it up with good fit, finish and attention to detail.
Tucci's keen eye for fine details and exacting work has resulted in awards to some of the finest vehicles entered each year at the Nationals. Tucci, by the way, is the builder of several of the cars that have been awarded as the grand prize at many past Syracuse Nationals.
COUNT’S CREW AWARD
A custom bead rolled piece of artwork personally created by the Hobo’s Hot Rod Garage. Danny & the crew selected Kriss Barrick’s 1940 Ford as the 2025 award winner!
CAYUGA COUNTY BOCES AWARD
The Auto Body Technology program at Cayuga Onondaga BOCES in Auburn, New York, is a two-year Career & Technical Education (CTE) course designed for high school juniors and seniors. The program focuses on preparing students for employment in the automotive body repair field, offering hands-on training in various aspects of auto body repair and refinishing. Cayuga-Onondaga BOCES is committed to providing practical, career-oriented education to students in our 9 component school districts.
2025 winner was Mark DeLosh w/ his 1988 R30 Dually
sparky’s rockabilly awards
Sparky’s Rockabilly Round-Up featured many awards including… Backyard Build-Off, Sparky’s Annual Award & the Badass Award.
Congrats goes to the 2025 Sparky's Backyard Build-Off winners ...
1st place - Travis Sherman
2nd place - Justin Altman
3rd place - Nick Holmes
Special thanks to the sponsors Falcons by Falcone, Barry Brown - Rider, Rocco Rescelo & Son Plumbing & Heating LLC
specialty Awards
judges, including Members of the CNY Car Club Association & Syracuse Nationals Reps, will be browsing the grounds looking for this year’s potential winners. Awards include:
Congratulations to our 2025 Award Winners!
dick spring memorial award
Dick Spring was the founding member of the CNY Car Club Association. Each year, the Dick Spring Memorial Award is given out to one outstanding member of the CNY Car Club community.
