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.

Congratulations to all of the Winfield Select Six Candidates!

1. Ryan Timmons

2. Bob Sabre

3. Robert Fryz

4. Brian Omatsu

5. Jesse Hallett

6. Rick Faust

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.