York County School of Technology Team AutoMeter Crowned 2025 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Champions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

York County School of Technology Team AutoMeter Crowned 2025 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Champions

Indianapolis, IN — December 2025 — After four days of high-level competition at the PRI Show, York County School of Technology Team 1 AutoMeter (York, Pennsylvania) has been crowned the 2025 Hot Rodders of Tomorrow (HROT) National Champion, finishing with a championship average time of 16:40. The final time was determined by averaging the team’s three fastest engine build runs and adding penalty minutes assessed from the 50-question Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Written Exam, a comprehensive test covering engine theory, procedures, and safety.

This marks the first national championship title for the York County School of Technology program, led by instructor Todd Kessler.

The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow National Championship brings together the top high school engine-building teams from across the United States, challenging students to demonstrate technical accuracy, efficiency, and professionalism. Teams compete live on the PRI Show floor, where every step of the engine build is judged for precision, cleanliness, and adherence to industry standards — both in the shop and in the classroom.

Following closely behind the champions were:

  • 2nd Place: Forsyth Central High School Team 2 – Howards Cams (Georgia), Instructor Ryan Hogue, Championship Time 18:49

  • 3rd Place: Forsyth Central High School Team 1 – Boss Hog (Georgia), Instructor Austin Voss, Championship Time 19:16

In total, 23 elite teams from across the country qualified for and competed in the 2025 National Championship, representing career and technical education programs from Pennsylvania, Georgia, Texas, Illinois, Oklahoma, Virginia, California, and Kansas.

Beyond the competition, the championship delivered meaningful opportunities for students. Through the continued support of scholarship partners School of Automotive Machinists & Technology (SAM Tech), Universal Technical Institute (UTI), and Ohio Technical College (OTC), participating students collectively earned more than $2.3 million in scholarship opportunities to pursue post-secondary education in the automotive and motorsports industries.

“The Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Championship showcases what career and technical education is all about — hands-on learning, accountability, and real-world skills,” said Rodney Bingham, Founder of Hot Rodders of Tomorrow. “The level of performance we saw in 2025 proves these students are ready for the next step in their automotive careers.”

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow extends its appreciation to its sponsors, scholarship partners, educators, parents, volunteers, SEMA, and the PRI Show, whose support makes the championship possible each year.

With the 2025 championship complete, planning is already underway for Hot Rodders of Tomorrow 2026, continuing the organization’s mission to inspire and prepare the next generation of automotive professionals.

About Hot Rodders of Tomorrow

Hot Rodders of Tomorrow is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting career and technical education through competitive, hands-on engine-building events for high school students. By partnering with industry leaders, schools, and educators, HROT provides students with real-world experience, scholarship opportunities, and clear pathways into the automotive and motorsports industries.

For more information, visit www.hotroddersoftomorrow.com