2026 MSRA Voting Events
Street Rod, Custom & Collector Vehicle of the Year Awards
Each year the Minnesota Street Rod Association presents awards for STREET ROD, CUSTOM AND COLLECTOR OF THE YEAR, one for Street Rod( pre’ 49), one for Custom(’ 49-’ 64) and one for Collector(’ 49-’ 74). In order to be eligible for this award the cars must first be selected through a series of“ Voting Events” sponsored by MSRA and held around the area, hosted by MSRA or local member clubs. Each year there are six( 6) such events with two Street Rods, one Custom and one Collector nominated at each event by the attending MSRA members.
VOTING
1. All current MSRA members and their spouses attending the voting event with their membership card in their possession will receive a ballot. 2. Ballots will be issued only during the registration time. 3. All ballots MUST be returned during the time limit posted at the registration area.
SELECTION The rules for selection are:
1. Any current MSRA member’ s pre’ 75 car or truck is eligible if:
• It has passed the NSRA Safety Inspection and has a current Safety Inspection Sticker displayed on the window. The NSRA Safety Inspection requirements are in the Yearbook.
• I t has an MSRA Membership number sticker displayed on the windshield.
• It is street legal, licensed and insured.
• It is a production car or truck.
2. Members wanting to be nominated during a MSRA Voting Event must display the eligibility hang tag on their rear view mirror at the designated MSRA Voting Event. The hang tags will be given out when registering for the MSRA Voting Event.
3. T he previous year’ s Street Rod, Custom and Collector of the Year winners and nominees are not eligible.
4. The Street Rod, Custom and Collector nominated at an event are automatically“ in” for the remainder of the season.
5. All of the year’ s nominees are included on the Street Rod, Custom and Collector of the Year ballot distributed in the November LineChaser. Each current member and spouse have one vote.
6. Custom of the Year nominees shall have a minimum of three
( 3) body modifications.
• Boby modifications must be visible on the exterior.
• Modifications must include alterations through cutting, fabrication, welding or bonding.
• Alterations of the body can include lengthening, shortening, radiusing, flattening, or reshaping the original design.
• Those that are verified as having the required 3 body modifications will receive a window sticker showing the eligibility to be voted on in the custom category. The Board will provide information on the process to verify eligibility and receive the qualifying sticker that customs need to
display at MSRA voting events.
7. Cars and Trucks 1949 to 1964 MSRA certified and displaying the Custom Qualified sticker reflecting qualification for the Custom of the Year category are excluded from the Collector of the Year category.
As you see, the competition is fairly simple. The important thing is to have your car or truck NSRA Safety Inspected at the beginning of the season. Then attend the Voting Events and hope your street rod, custom or collector catches the eyes of enough fellow members to receive the event nomination.
What if you receive the nomination? You will be presented with an award plaque engraved with a likeness of your car.
You will receive the original four-color artwork, matted and ready for hanging.
You will be a Feature Member of the Month in the LineChaser.
If voted the“ Street Rod, Custom or Collector of the Year” winner, you will be awarded possession of the Traveling Trophy for a year, a five-foot replica of an antique gas pump for the Street Rod winner, a louvered column with an Appleton spotlight for the Custom winner or a specially designed trophy for the Collector winner.
You also receive a special plaque commemorating your Street Rod, Custom or Collector of the Year win and the admiration of your fellow rodders.
2026 MSRA Voting Events
June 6: Shades of the Past Car Show, Marshall, MN July 25: Cars by the Creek Car Show, Cold Spring, MN July 26: Scavenger’ s Car Show, Mounds View, MN August 8: Run to the Rapids Car Show, Park Rapids, MN August 29: MSRA Super Secret Fun Run, Brainerd, MN September 12: MSRA Fall Campout, Watertown, SD
MSRA’ s“ Back to the 50’ s Weekend” • 2026 Page 33