FuelFest returned to Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, Arizona on December 6 for the season finale of its 2025 global tour. The one-day event has become a fixture on the car culture calendar since its launch by Cody Walker in honor of his late brother Paul Walker. Founded to unite automotive enthusiasts across disciplines while supporting disaster relief charity Reach Out WorldWide, FuelFest operates on a simple formula: car show plus drift plus drag plus music, all under one roof.

Going in, everyone anticipated the usual mix of modified imports, domestic muscle, exotics, and period restos. Firebird, formerly Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park, carries deep roots in regional motorsport, and moving the event back to a full track venue (rather than the Westworld lot used in prior years) signaled FuelFest's confidence in scale. Enthusiasts expected a showcase focused on diversity of build philosophy and era, the kind of spread that separates FuelFest from single-discipline shows.

The day delivered on its promise. Chris Forsberg anchored the drift program alongside pro drivers Corey Hosford and Blake Wilkey, pulling crowds for ride-alongs throughout the afternoon.

The car show drew over 500 entries across all categories: lowlows, track cars, custom trucks, classic hot rods, and a dedicated "Taste of Tokyo" JDM section. Drag Test and Tune sessions ran alongside vendor booths and interactive pits (a new addition for 2025 that gave spectators a closer look at setup and tuning). Live Lucha Libre wrestling matches and stunt jumps from Blake Wilkey rounded out the entertainment, while a laser light DJ show took over as dusk fell.

The event's fan-voted "People's Choice" judging system kept engagement high; prior cities' winners competed across a national ballot throughout the weekend, with results pending. The judged car show awards were distributed across traditional categories, though final winners were not yet published in coverage as of mid-December.

The event closed with a "Slow N Low Exit Parade," a new feature designed to let departing attendees roll out together. FuelFest Phoenix marked the final stop of the 2025 calendar; the series has announced a 2026 schedule beginning in early spring. I look forward to it!

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