The rumble of innovation was on full display as five Birdville ISD Automotive Technology students recently finished in the top 10 in the nation at the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Building Challenge in Indianapolis. 

Rooted in the culture of hot rods, muscle cars, and performance engines, the contest brought classroom learning to life in the most authentic way possible – under the hood. 

Leo Crawford, Corbin East, and Tyler Hammack from Birdville High School, Rueger Morrison from Richland High School, and Sawyer Simcox from Haltom High School received 8th place in the national contest. The competition required teams to complete a full teardown and rebuild of a small block 350ci Chevrolet engine under strict rules, time constraints and technical standards. 

“This trip served as a powerful capstone experience aligned with district Career and Technical Education (CTE) goals by combining advanced technical instruction, authentic competition, and direct industry engagement,” said Jesse Hackfeld, Birdville Center for Technology and Advanced Learning (BCTAL) automotive teacher. “The students represented Birdville ISD with professionalism and pride, and their performance highlights the strength and rigor of the district’s Automotive Technology program.”

To qualify for the national event, teams must record a verified build time of under 33 minutes. More than 100 teams nationwide attempted to qualify, and only 25 teams earned a spot at the national competition. Birdville ISD was among those 25 qualifying teams.

Over the course of the week, the BISD team posted an average build time of 25:18, setting a new personal best for the program. This result reflected a high level of technical skill, consistency, teamwork, and professionalism under pressure.

In addition to the competition, students attended the Performance Racing Industry (PRI) Show, where they were exposed to cutting-edge automotive technology, industry professionals, and postsecondary and career pathways within motorsports and automotive manufacturing. The experience reinforced the importance of precision, safety, communication, and employability skills in a real-world, industry-driven environment.

“I am extremely proud of our Automotive Technology students and teachers for this outstanding accomplishment,” said Andrea Anderson, BISD Director of CTE. “These students work tirelessly to practice taking apart and rebuilding automotive engines, and during this competition, they even beat their best overall time, setting a new personal record for the program. Our Automotive Technology program is consistently recognized at both the state and national level due to the dedication and passion of our incredible teachers, who prepare students with the highly technical skills needed to succeed on an industry-recognized national platform.”