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 Winfield to fun awards giving out by area reps. Below are a break down of the different awards that are given at the Syracuse Nationals.

The Winfield Award

Each year one car owner at the Syracuse Nationals is the recipient of the Annual Winfield Award. Now in it’s 13th year, the prestigious award for automotive excellence is presented by master car customizer and builder Gene Winfield.

$15,000 in Prizes

Entrants must have at least one radical modification (e.g. chopped, sectioned, and/or channeled). Entries must be 1937 and newer.

From the entries, Gene nominates 6 vehicles to be known as the “Select Six”. The Select Six are on display indoors all weekend at the Syracuse Nationals.

The Winfield Award winner is announced Saturday evening during the Awards Banquet. The winner receives a beautiful custom trophy, jacket and $10,000. The remaining 5 each receive a custom trophy, jacket and $1,000.

For the 2024 Winfield Awards, all entries must be mailed no later than May 15th, 2024

Syracuse Nationals LLC Attn: Brian Badger
235 Walton St, Syracuse, NY, 13202

For more details and consideration criteria call 800-753-3978, Mon. - Fri. 9am to 5pm EST.

CONRGRATULATIONS TO 2023’S WINNER!

Erin Yates was the first-place winner with a glowing gold 1949 Buick. Body work was done by Cody Walls. The custom car is sectioned, chopped, shaved, and expertly reshaped into the rolling art on wheels that we see today.

History of the Winfield Award

Gene is 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.

Tucci Pro Picks

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.

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.

Fun Awards

Members of the Car Club Association will be browsing the grounds looking for this year’s potential winners of the Fun Awards. Awards include:

  • Best Chop Award (In memory of Marty Pierson)

  • Best Use of Color Award

  • Cool Commercial Award

  • Deuces Wild Award

  • Fabulous 40’s Award (In memory of Dick Carmen)

  • Ford Touch Award (In memory of Dick Axelrod)

  • Gasoline Alley Award

  • Haulin’ Wagon Award

  • Heavy Chevy Award (In memory of Ben Carr)

  • Highway Legend Award (In memory of Ron Mitchell)

  • Host Club Pick Award

  • Hot Flames Award (In memory of Don Grasley)

  • Long Distance Award

  • Memories on Main Street Award

  • Mopar Madness Award (In memory of Steven Buist)

  • Thundering 30’s Award

  • Rep’s Pick Award

  • Amazing 80’s Award

  • Nifty 50’s Award

  • Pristine Pontiac Award (In memory of Anthony “Butch” Marrapese)

  • Sizzlin’ 70’s Award

  • Super 60’s Award

  • Terrific 20’s Award