How Alex Taylor Became a Hot Rod Garage Star at a Young Age

Publish date: 2024-04-19

Alex Taylor is a drag racer, entrepreneur, and co-host of HOT ROD Garage, a popular show on MotorTrend. She has nearly 100,000 YouTube subscribers and was the youngest driver to ever compete in HOT ROD Drag Week at age 16. But how did she achieve such success at a young age? Here is her story.

Growing Up in a Hot Rod Family

Alex Taylor was born in 1997 and grew up in Southern California with her parents, Dennis and Debbie Taylor, who own Hot Rods by Dennis Taylor, a custom shop that does everything from engine and chassis building to paint, bodywork, and interiors. Alex was exposed to cars from a very early age, as she was in the shop from literally a couple weeks old. She learned how to work on cars from her father, who taught her the basics of mechanics, fabrication, and tuning. She also developed a passion for the 1960s-style race cars, especially the Chevy Camaro.

When Alex was 13, her parents made a deal with her: if she got a full-ride scholarship to college, they would buy her a 1967 Chevy Camaro. Alex worked hard and achieved her goal, and her parents kept their end of the bargain. They bought her a Camaro that was in rough shape, but had a lot of potential. Alex was ecstatic and loved the car. She spent hours working on it, customizing it with new paint, interior upgrades, performance parts, and more. It became her pride and joy, something that she would drive for years to come.

Racing Against the Odds

Alex Taylor always had a competitive spirit and a love for speed. She started racing at local tracks when she was 14, and soon realized that she had a natural talent for driving. She also enjoyed the challenge of racing against older and more experienced drivers, who often underestimated her because of her age and gender. She proved them wrong by beating them on the track, earning their respect and admiration.

One of the biggest challenges that Alex faced was competing in HOT ROD Drag Week, an event that tests the endurance and performance of street-legal drag cars over five days and 1,000 miles. Alex entered the event in 2013, when she was only 16 years old, making her the youngest driver ever to participate. She drove her 1968 Camaro, nicknamed “Badmaro”, which she had modified to run in the Super Street Small-Block Power Adder class. She faced many difficulties, such as mechanical issues, weather conditions, and long drives, but she never gave up. She finished the week with a 10.78-second quarter-mile pass, placing 13th in her class and impressing everyone with her determination and skill.

Becoming a Hot Rod Garage Star

Alex Taylor’s racing achievements caught the attention of many people in the automotive industry, including the MotorTrend Group. She was invited to join several events and shows, such as the Hooptie World Championship, Roadkill Nights, and Engine Masters. She also started her own YouTube channel, “Riding With Alex Taylor”, where she documented her racing adventures, car builds, and personal life. She gained a loyal fan base, who appreciated her enthusiasm, knowledge, and personality.

In 2022, Alex Taylor got the opportunity of a lifetime: to co-host HOT ROD Garage, a show that features project cars, technical tips, and fun challenges. She joined Lucky Costa, a veteran mechanic and fabricator, as the new face of the show. She brought her own style and flair to the show, as well as her expertise and experience in drag racing. She also showcased her latest project car, a 1955 Chevy 210 that she and her dad built together with off-the-shelf parts. She has been on a quest to make a six-second quarter-mile pass in the car, which she calls “The 55”.

Alex Taylor has become one of the most influential and inspiring figures in the hot rod scene, especially for young women who aspire to pursue their passion for cars. She has shown that age is just a number, and that anything is possible with hard work, dedication, and creativity. She is a true hot rod garage star.

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