Every year one of the most contested competitions at the NSRA's Street Rod Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky, isn't found outside in the parking lot but rather in an air conditioned room just off of the north end of the exhibit hall.
The naming of the New Product of the Year has become a highly coveted honor for those in the street rod aftermarket, as the companies that get chosen for the top awards are guaranteed a substantial amount of free publicity concerning their latest product.
There were almost 200 new products entered this year, and the NSRA breaks them down into three different pricing categories: Group A for items that retail for up to $100, Group B for items between $101 and $500, and Group C for items $501 and above. A fourth award, the Best New Safety Related Product, is also picked from the entries and voted on by judges who are based in the street rod industry. After the judging was over the general public was welcome to enter the room and see what was being offered. The respective winners of each category can be found in this issue in the main story about the Nationals, but here are some of the other new products that were under consideration at this year's show.