"The Best Hot Rod Stance" Award 

My journey with The Best Hot Rod Stance award began the day I first met Corky Coker. From the moment he greeted me, he welcomed me into his world with warmth and generosity - guiding me through the Coker Museum and their different shops, sharing stories of tires, cars, and a lifetime devoted to preserving automotive history. Among rows of gleaming classics and timeworn machines, I witnessed not only Corky's passion, but also the very heartbeat of American hot rod culture.

That same day, I met his daughter Casey, who shared memories of growing up surrounded by tires, the hum of engines and the family business. Her stories revealed a legacy built not only on innovation, but also on family and community. 

Corky's influence is legendary. By transforming his family's tire store in Chattanooga, TN into the world's premier source for vintage-style tires, he safeguarded a piece of history and gave restorers and hot rod enthusiasts the chance to keep their machines authentic, His vision grew into a global enterprise that honors craftmanship, heritage, and the enduring spirit of the open road. 

Inspired by that first meeting, I set out to capture Corky's essence in bronze. Sculpted from clay through photographs I took, live sculpting sessions with Corky himself, and careful observation, every detail - the stance, the presence, the strength - was designed to reflect his character and the culture he has championed. To convey the essence of the machines that define his life, I did not rely solely on classical sculpting tools. I incorporated bolts, nuts, and screwdrivers directly into the texture of Corky's jumpsuit, embedding the tactile spirit of hands-on automotive craftmanship.

The patina was crafted to evoke the strength and force of a well-tuned engine, the endurance of rims polished through decades of traveling hundreds of miles. Each surface, each texture, tells a story of motion, precision, and mechanical artistry at the heart of hot rod culture. 

The completed bronze statuette is more than an award. It is a lasting tribute to a man whose passion and vision shaped an industry and inspired countless dreamers. Creating this artwork was a profound honor - a tribute to a legacy that continues to drive innovation, passion, and perseverance.

​For every recipient of this award, may it stand as a celebration of your dedication, passion and mastery to the art of hot rodding - a reminder that, like Corky, your vision, style and love for these machines help keep this culture alive and inspire others to follow in your tire tracks. 

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