Las Vegas, NV — November 11, 2025 — Athens native, Thomas Dickerson, owner of Thomas Performance Engineering, was named the Top Young Gun at this year’s SEMA Battle of the Builders, held during the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas. The “Young Guns” category highlights rising automotive talents of builders age 29 years and younger, recognizing the next generation of custom car builders.
Dickerson meticulously custom fabricated his grandfather’s 1967 Chevrolet C-10 truck and captured the attention of judges and industry peers alike, earning him a spot among the Top 4 finalists across all categories — Hot Rod, OƯ-Road, Import Performance, and Young Guns — in one of the most prestigious automotive build competitions in the United States.
After advancing through multiple rounds of judging, Dickerson competed head-to-head with three professional automotive builders for the overall title. Though the ultimate win went to renowned builder Troy Trepanier of Rad Rides by Troy, Dickerson’s achievement as the Young Guns category winner and a Top 4 finalist marks a milestone for his career.
“This has been an incredible experience,” said Dickerson. “To compete alongside some of the best in the industry – many of whom I’ve admired for years – and represent Athens on a national stage is something I’ll never forget.”
This is Dickerson’s second Young Guns appearance. In November 2021 at the age of just 22, he placed in the Top 10 Young Guns competition with a 1967 GT-350 Shelby Mustang Tribute car.
The annual SEMA Battle of the Builders competition celebrates craftsmanship, creativity, and innovation, bringing together elite builders from around the country. Each year, hundreds of custom vehicles are entered, but only a select few make it to the final rounds.
For more information about the SEMA Battle of the Builders, visit www.sema.org.
In addition to the Young Gun award, Dickerson received the “On The Gas Award” which is a new automotive recognition presented by Aeromotive in association with the popular Oil & Whiskey Podcast. The award recognizes excellence in custom car building and hot rodding, a core theme of the Oil & Whiskey podcast, which is produced by the team at Roadster Shop. The podcast hosts, Jeremy Gerber, Phil Gerber, and Josh Henning, discuss industry news, custom builds, and interview influential figures in the automotive world.
Thomas attended Athens Area Technical College receiving multiple certificates, including automotive refinishing, welding, and mechanical engineering. To follow Thomas’ work, visit Thomas Performance Engineering on Facebook or Instagram at @thomas.performance.engineering.
Athens Technical College has served citizens since 1958 by providing quality educational programs in an 11-county service area. The college offers over 130 program specializations in business, health, technical, and manufacturing-related areas. Students attend on four campuses (Athens-Clarke, Elbert, and Walton) and online plus career academies, adult learning centers, and continuing education opportunities. To learn more visit www.AthensTech.edu.
