Engine Builder magazine has always made it a priority to recognize the hard work and amazing talents of engine builders. In fact, over the past seven years, the magazine has placed the spotlight on dozens of successful engine builders who exemplify the key attributes of a well-run business.

This year, the America’s Best Engine Shops contest aimed to find the best engine shops out there operating in three different categories – Race, Vintage and Diesel. The contest, which is judged by members of Engine Builder magazine and Engine Parts Warehouse, look for shops that: celebrate creativity and innovation; encourage training and education; emphasize marketing, merchandising and promotion; maintain professional standards and conduct; take pride in appearance, business management, community involvement, business growth, achievement, and victories.

To give engine builders some well-deserved credit, people were asked to nominate worthy shops for the award or shops could nominate themselves on the contest website www.topenginebuilders.com.

After more than 200 engine shop nominations, it was Oakley Motorsports, owned by Phillip Oakley in Owensboro, KY, that won the Race category; Kill Devil Diesel, owned by Jared Alderson in Poplar Branch, NC, that won the Diesel category; and Mid America Racing Engines, owned by David Bruns in Washington, IA, that won the Vintage category. Each of these shops proved to be among the elite in their respective categories.