Behind the lens
and Between the lines

Meet the photographers, writers, editors, contributors, and enthusiasts who bring every issue of MiniTruckin’ to life.

WE DON’T JUST COVER THE SCENE. WE HELP PRESERVE IT.

Every feature has two sides of the lens. In front of it are the incredible vehicles, passionate owners, and unforgettable moments that fill these pages. Behind it are the photographers, writers, editors, contributors, and staff whose creativity, dedication, and passion help bring every vehicle’s story to life.

Every issue of MiniTruckin' is built through miles traveled, friendships formed, stories uncovered, and moments captured by people who genuinely care about this culture. Their dedication transforms moments into stories that preserve our history and celebrate the community we all know and love.

MiniTruckin' is about more than publishing a magazine. It’s about preserving a culture, documenting its history, and ensuring the stories of the people who continue to shape this community are shared for generations to come. That mission isn’t possible without a team of talented enthusiasts. They give their time, creativity, and expertise because they believe these stories deserve to be told with authenticity, respect, and heart.

The people you’ll meet below each bring unique perspectives and talents, but they all share the same passion—to shine a light on the vehicles, the owners, and the community that continue to inspire generations of enthusiasts. Whether they’re behind a camera, behind a keyboard, behind the design of every page, or behind the scenes making it all happen, their fingerprints can be found throughout every issue of MiniTruckin'.

To everyone who has contributed their time, talent, and passion to MiniTruckin'—thank you. Every issue is stronger because of you. You’ve helped preserve something much bigger than a magazine. You’ve helped preserve a culture. We’re proud to introduce the people whose passion brings every issue of MiniTruckin' to life.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Damien Davis

Facebook: @devilboymediadotcom

It all started for me when I was a young lad in middle school. Obsessed with BMX bikes, it was all I talked about. Most of my friends had nice bikes right out of the bike store. Not me… I had custom wheels, bars, cranks, the list goes on. Constantly swapping parts, sanding and painting, always keeping it clean. Though I still rode religiously and did plenty of stupid stunts. Customizing the bike was my favorite part. One day I was at a friend’s house digging holes and piling up dirt to make ramps. When my homie's sister pulled up in her slammed dodge Dakota, right behind her boyfriend driving a slammed S10 rocking a 30-color graphic paint job. It was at that moment the MiniTruckin' bug bit me. I remember sitting in class looking through MiniTruckin' magazines amazed. Not understanding how something could drive that low, ha ha. It quickly became an obsession.

The moment I got my license and my first truck. The bike started collecting dust. Before graduating high school, I had customized, dropped, then bagged my truck. Making myself well known in my small town for being “that guy” with the cool truck. Joining a local car club, hitting up car shows and stereo competitions. Keeping photo albums of all my trucks and mods using disposable cameras. I never had any aspirations to do photography on any level other than just memories for myself. That changed over time the more shows I attended. Stopping ay Walmart and scooping up a handful of disposable cameras and putting them in a zip lock to carry in my truck. I would roam shows and snap photos. Go back to Walmart and have duplicates developed and sift through hundreds of photos. Critiquing myself, throwing photos away, keeping the good shots for my albums. Getting tired of that process, I broke the bank and bought my first camera.

After years of hobby shooting at shows. I had all but lost hope of ever having a true purpose for my work. I was introduced to Rich Waterman with All Time Low Magazine and shot my first show for him, Severed in the Midwest 2016, and got it in print. At that point I was addicted. Plunging myself into the show scene and shooting shows across the country. Branching into other publications such as Street Trucks Magazine, honing my skills, and gaining more hands-on experience in the magazine world. Expanding my portfolio into multiple magazines, video, social media, and starting my own LLC Devilboy Media. All while working as a full-time logistics manager in the St. Louis, Missouri area. Never quite having enough income or support to pursue media full time. A lot of hustle, money out of pocket, working for free. Still unsure what my purpose was and what my next steps needed to be.

Standing in a random parking lot during an afterparty cruise night in my hometown. Camera in hand standing beside one of my best friend's bagged and bodied Minitrucks. A random dude named Damon Bounds introduced himself, asking if I did photography. I responded with, “Yeah, I dabble in it a bit.” He explained the Revheads dealership he was starting and that he was needing a photographer. After chatting a bit, we went our separate ways. Several weeks had passed and I was dropping video and photo footage from the show I attended that weekend. Damon saw my video and decided that’s the guy he wanted to work with. He searched and contacted people that were at the show looking for the guy making videos for the show. Everyone said… Oh, that’s Devilboy!!! Not knowing who the hell Devilboy was, the search continued until he tracked me down on my business page inviting me to visit his dealership and shoot a car for him. After a great experience and him absolutely loving the results. The rest is history and I’ve been working with Damon and his wife Melissa Bounds ever since.

Going from a few shoots a week to literally blowing off my full-time job to do dealership stuff daily. I continued to step farther away from the car show scene and the logistics career. Finally landing a full-time job at Revheads and leaving the warehouse. Revheads being my primary source of income and shooting shows on the side. Primarily partnering with show promoters and Street Trucks Magazine. Watching the previous folks attempt the resurrection of MiniTruckin' Magazine and drop the ball. I continued plunging myself into the magazine world working with publications such as East Coast Style, Local Ridez, and Gauge Magazine. Just trying to continue pushing my work out to print any way I could. Working with Revheads' launch of their clothing brand Threads by Revheads. Traveling to events with them and setting up their gigantic stage trailer. I started to see the drama unfold with the old MiniTruckin magazine leadership. Photographers and content creators announcing the end of their association with the publication. Hundreds of people getting ghosted and their money kept with no magazine delivered. It was such a waste of the MiniTruckin' name, and I continued to get frustrated and saddened by the unfortunate outcome. Melissa Bounds noticed the social media attention and asked me if I could run the magazine. Looking up and finding an abandoned trademark. I told her I could make 10 phone calls and have the content, hell yes, we could do this. The ball started rolling and behind the scenes details began to solidify.

Now here we are, officially launching the magazine with the support and knowledge it deserves. Assembling an amazing crew of like-minded, work-ethic-driven folks that want this to succeed. Melissa Bounds driving the bus with me directing traffic. Beyond happy with the results and still thinking to myself daily, this isn’t real. I left a lot of detail out of this short biography but wanted to give you the quick and dirty version to help explain how I am standing here today. Support from Revheads, the scene, friends that love me, and all the amazing photographers and contributors. I am blessed to have this team and cannot wait to give this magazine the support it deserves. Read on my friends!

SENIOR EDITOR

Lance Martz

Senior Editor
Facebook: @Lance.Martz

Starting out in junior high school, my grandfather, Charles Martz, was the assistant principal of the intermediate school I went to in Etiwanda, California. He was also the small intermediate school’s only science teacher and taught several extracurricular activities. Since he was my ride to school, I ended up getting into a few of those activities. Among these were rocketry and photography. As you can tell, I didn’t grow up to be a rocket scientist, but I did develop a love for photography that continued into adulthood. With life opening before me over the coming years as a young adult, I found that I had put away photography but retained my general knowledge. When I heard that there was a publishing company that my friend Shaun Carlson had recently started working for that needed help with writing and photography, I couldn’t visit their offices fast enough. I was already spending several nights a week in Shaun’s parents’ garage, helping him slice and dice vehicles and figuring out how to customize them.

It wasn’t long before I started making the drive to Placentia, California, after work a few days a week to see how I could help. Shaun was working with Mike Shartsis and Courtney Hallowell on a magazine title that was near and dear to my heart called MiniTruckin'. I was already on my second mini truck, a ’92 Toyota XtraCab. I spent the next few months shooting tech when I could and going to shows to help by taking event coverage photos on the weekends. The camera I was using at the time was an ancient, fully manual Nikkormat 35mm film camera that I borrowed from my grandfather. That camera served me well for a few months, until I could afford to buy my first better-quality film camera. It was about 4–6 months in when they finally decided to bring me onboard full time as Tech Editor for the magazine—which was the lowest man on the totem pole spot. I didn’t care! I was employed by the magazine that I drooled over every month and had been since it started being published as an offshoot of Truckin’ Magazine. I went through a total of three film cameras before I started playing with digital.

Speaking of digital cameras, I remember walking over to the studio that McMullen Argus Publishing maintained across the street in Placentia with a Sony digital camera in hand. The primary photographer for LowRider Magazine was shooting a feature in the studio that day. I thought I’d see how the camera worked on something other than black-and-white tech article photos. When the photographer saw my newfangled contraption, he commented that digital was a fad and that film would never die. Fast forward about a year, and the whole company was pushing for fully digital camera usage. The cost savings versus purchasing film and developing it was more than enough to kill film use forevermore.

I would spend a total of 10 years working at MiniTruckin', and at one point was promoted to the position of Editor in Chief of the title, accepting full responsibility for the monthly publication and its budget. I was tasked with managing our freelance photographers and writers and developing new talent for the magazine. That’s when I brought Mike Self, Mike Finnegan, and Mike Alexander onboard at different times to help write and publish the magazine over the years. Mike Alexander took over for me when I left MT in 2005, carrying the title forward proudly. Looking back, I have no idea why guys named “Mike” tend to gravitate toward writing and shooting photos about tiny custom trucks…

This year, in 2026, I noticed that a good team was being assembled and offered my services as Senior Editor of the newly formed MiniTruckin' Magazine. And… here we are!

I’d never have had the opportunity to get involved with this title originally without Shaun Carlson and Courtney Hallowell. You two were great fun to work with and taught me more than you ever knew. May you both rest in peace, with my forever thanks.

Also, a million thanks to Mike Shartsis, who was Editor back in 1995 and gave me a shot. You’ll always be “Boss” to me.

PHOTOGRAPHER & Content Creator

Jessica Howell

Facebook: @Low_Key_Media

If you had told me 3 years ago that I would be sitting where I'm sitting, I would have laughed at you. What started as boredom at a local car show with my husband and our 1990 Isuzu Pickup eventually turned into something I never expected—a passion and career that would completely change my life.

In 2014, my husband bought me my first camera, but it wasn’t until 2023 that I slowly began teaching myself how to actually use it. What started as simply wanting something to do quickly became creative freedom, purpose, and a chance to build a life that felt more fulfilling than the typical 9-to-5 path.

Somewhere along the way MiniTruckin' became my ticket to freedom—a world that gave me purpose, connection, and the opportunity to create something meaningful.

Being in a male-dominated space isn’t new to me. From serving in the Marines to working in other male-dominated careers, I've learned how to stand my ground, work hard, and prove to myself that I belong. Even so, stepping into the automotive industry brought its own challenges, self-doubt, and moments where I questioned myself.

Thankfully, I’ve had the best support system through it all. My husband Justin and daughter Adrian have stood beside me through every high and low, always pushing me to keep going—even when I was hardest on myself. My husband has also been my brutally honest photo critic, never hesitating to tell me if a shot was amazing… or complete crap. As much as I may not have wanted to hear it sometimes, that honesty helped push me to grow.

Photography has introduced me to incredible people, opportunities, and experiences I never imagined possible. One of the greatest blessings has been becoming part of the Revheads family. Damien, someone I once admired from afar, quickly became a mentor and close friend who took me under his wing. Along with Damon and Melissa, they took a chance on me, helped me grow, and opened doors I never thought possible. Being able to work and travel alongside Revheads and the Revheads Hotties while learning not only about mini trucks but all kinds of unique vehicles has been more than a blessing.

Now, with MiniTruckin' Magazine making its comeback, I’m excited for the surprises ahead and the opportunity to showcase vehicles from across the U.S. and every corner of the automotive world. My goal is simple: to bring every unique vehicle I photograph to life by capturing the personality and characteristics that make it truly one of a kind.

PHOTOGRAPHER & Content Creator

Corey Floyd

Facebook: @CoreyFloydPhotography

Some people think it’s just pushing a button, but to some of us, it’s so much more than that. Automotive photography has become a way for me to express how I see a vehicle and its surroundings through my own eyes.

My journey started in 2003 when I was 14 years old and received my first camera. I began taking photos at local car shows and quickly fell in love with being able to look back through my photo albums and relive those experiences.

In 2011, I started posting my show photos on social media, and it was incredibly rewarding to see how much vehicle owners appreciated having high-quality images of their own trucks. In 2017, my wife asked me why I wasn’t offering personal vehicle shoots. Once I started doing them, Corey Floyd Photography grew into what it is today.

Aside from my wife encouraging me to take that leap, I owe a huge thank you to Greg Miller and Robbie Bryant for taking a chance on me by allowing me to cover the nightlife at Orange Beach Invasion, an opportunity that truly helped put my name out there. I also want to thank everyone who has supported me over the years. None of this would have been possible without all of you.

PHOTOGRAPHER & CONTENT CREATOR

Tony Bearb

Facebook: @eclecticartphoto

My name is Tony Bearb. I’m a Gen X’er, built in 1972. I was born and raised in southwest Louisiana, and I’m the head button pusher at Eclectic Art Photography. I’ve been shooting since 2014, with an emphasis on automotive photography since 2016. I pretty much love anything automotive when it comes to taking pics.

A few facts about me:

  • I got my first mini truck for my 18th birthday. It was a 1989 Mazda B2200.
  • I’m cooler than a fan and hotter than a $2 pistol when I have a camera in my hand.
  • I shoot Nikon because it’s awesome.
  • I’m Corey Floyd’s idol.
  • The last fact is the most important…
Photographer & Content Creator

Grant Roberts

Instagram: @ buzzshotmedia_

At 34 years old, Grant Roberts—better known as Buzz Shotmedia in the mini-truckin’ world—has built a name that’s impossible to ignore. Raised in the small town of Polk City, Florida, Grant spent years working for his family’s specialty honeybee and hornet removal business across the state. That gritty, nonstop hustle inspired the name behind his media brand and laid the foundation for the work ethic that now drives his photography career.

What started as a way to sell cars quickly turned into something much bigger. Four years ago, Grant realized average photos weren’t enough to stand out, so he pushed himself to create sharp, attention-grabbing images with real style and energy. His eye for detail and ability to capture emotion through a lens separated him from the crowd almost immediately.

His breakthrough into the mini-truckin’ scene happened by pure chance. After a last-minute issue canceled a wedding photography job, Grant headed to Slamfest instead—a decision that changed everything. The photos he captured exploded across social media, gaining major traction and putting Buzz Shotmedia on the radar of people throughout the custom truck community. Soon after, Brian Weeks connected him with Mike Murray, leading to an invitation to cover media for Eastbound Getdown in Daytona, Florida, where Grant began building relationships with some of the biggest names in the scene.

Then came the call that changed his career forever. On April 1st, Damien Davis reached out, and Grant honestly thought it was an April Fool’s prank. Instead, it was an invitation to join the MiniTruckin' Magazine team. Damien praised Grant’s photography and passion for the industry, offering him a place alongside one of the most respected names in custom truck culture. Without hesitation, Grant accepted—and today, Buzz Shotmedia travels the Southeast, capturing some of the most overlooked yet jaw-dropping builds in the scene, proving that underdogs often create the loudest impact.

Photographer & Content Creator

Duke Newport

Instagram: @dukenewport

There I sat at my middle school English classroom desk, not only sifting through the images of MiniTruckin' Magazine, but also reading it front to back with intent. After having fallen for the scene hard around ’94 or ’95, I’d not only become hooked on the vast ability of self-expression that this hot rodding type of trucking provided, but also the never-ending tech and advertisements that littered the publication. Everything from who was working at the magazine in the first few pages, to the never-ending wheel ads, to the Under Construction Zone.

I wasn’t just hooked on the trucks or the detailed articles explaining the stories behind each and every truck, but how it was all put together as a whole. On top of having my own aspirations of building a late ’80s Toyota, I was daydreaming of photojournalism in this scene, and instead of paying attention to getting good grades in the times of the chalkboard and tube TVs on roll-around carts, my face was buried in this magazine.

If you fast-forward about 20 years, I found myself with a camera in hand. It was by complete accident on a trip down Route 66 that I found the love for the art, and when that hooked me, I knew immediately what I wanted to shoot when I got back home… anything with wheels. But more specifically, it was to be mini-trucks, hot rods, and motorcycles.

My addiction to the world of cars was something I was born with, and I can only be grateful to have landed a position here today, where everything has come full circle. I’ve now been given the opportunity to give back to the scene I grew up hooked on!

I’m David Yahl, aka Duke Newport, and I’m here to contribute to all things MiniTruckin' Magazine!

Photographer & Content Creator

Adam Pettengill

Facebook: @adam.pettengill.1

My passion for classic cars, lowriders, and mini trucks started at a young age. Born into a hot rod family and growing up around custom vehicles, I was drawn to the creativity, craftsmanship, and culture that surrounded them. From classic cruisers to laid-out mini trucks and candy-painted lowriders, I became fascinated by the stories behind the builds and the skilled people who brought them to life. That passion eventually led me into the automotive custom paint, pinstriping, and restoration industry, where I’ve spent decades helping turn ideas into rolling works of art at the highest of levels!

At the same time, my other two passions are surfing and skateboarding—two lifestyles that taught me to appreciate freedom, creativity, and documenting the moment. Carrying a camera became second nature, whether I was filming friends at the skatepark, capturing surf sessions at sunrise, or documenting road trips and car shows. Over the years, my love for all things film and video grew into a way of sharing my life and what we love to do with a wider audience.

Today, through Adam Pettengill Media, I combine all of those passions—custom cars, build projects, my lowriders and mini trucks, surfing, travel, and filmmaking—all to tell stories and showcase our journey and the incredible people we meet who help make this lifestyle so special. Whether I’m at a major car show, filming a feature vehicle, cruising in my lowriders, or chasing waves on a beach in Nicaragua, I’m always looking for the next great story to capture and share.

Photographer & Content Creator

Victoria Penwell

Instagram: @droppedframemedia

Hey there, Victoria’s the name, minitruckin’ is the game! I fell for the lifestyle shortly after my now-husband and I got together. I’ll admit it—I used to think air ride and bags were “for the birds”… now I’m out here chirpin’ too!

I grew up in my dad’s hot rod shop, spending my days in the office and sneaking out back into the shop whenever I got the chance. That experience stuck with me throughout my life, and I’ve always been drawn to custom vehicles.

My first custom ride was a 1973 Dodge Dart Swinger. After that, I owned a 1993 Isuzu Pick Up for many years before selling it to kick off my family heirloom build: a 1960 Ford Thunderbird.

By day, I’m “Jake from State Farm,” managing two long-standing insurance agent offices. By night, I’m learning photography the fun way—capturing graduation photos, family sessions, and even the occasional wedding. These days, my focus is mainly on custom vehicles and the automotive industry, and it’s turned into a full-on addiction to creativity.

I’m honored to be part of this awesome minitruck and custom vehicle community. See you in the next one!

Photographer & Content Creator

Dustin Darby

Facebook: @DDPhotography

Hello, my name is Dustin Darby, aka Pepper. I’ve been in the mini-truckin' lifestyle since 2001.

I first started taking pictures at shows with a disposable camera. I finally got a digital camera a few years later and have been taking pictures off and on ever since!

I love this lifestyle and everyone in it. You can find me on Facebook at DD Photography.

Photograph & Content Creator

Jay Mack McGiboney

Facebook: @FONjaymack

Hey there! I'm Jay Mack. I own Mack Media, based out of North Alabama, and I absolutely LOVE truck shows. I started back in 2006 helping to shoot some local shows around my area, and it just snowballed from there.

I've always enjoyed shooting for myself, but when Damien called up and told me what all was happening, I wanted nothing more than to jump in with both feet and help out where I can!

It's truly an honor to be a contributor to MiniTruckin'. After all the hard work over the years, it's really a dream come true to have this opportunity!

PHOTOGRAPHER & Content Creator

Lhea Alisha

Instagram: @LheaAlisha

Lhea Alisha has been in the mini truck scene long enough to remember when you had to show up to be somebody. No filters, no shortcuts, just builds and vibes. From 2003 to 2005, she co-owned Platinum Girlz, a sexy promotional crew representing Platinum Konceptz on the West Coast. From truck shows and shoots to affiliate promotions, her team brought sexy energy to the scene and landed in projects like Lowlife Video Magazine, helping build the misfit culture when it was raw, loud, and unapologetically wicked.

In 2012, Lhea walked away from the corporate world, leaving her role as a Property Director, took the leap on Auto Nerd Media... and never looked back. That same year, she attended SEMA for the second time with one mission: to build her own marketing and media agency.

Lhea has been modeling since she was 14 (1994), but her real passion has always been behind the lens and behind the curtain, capturing the lifestyle and helping automotive businesses grow. Her most recent shoot and LAST was at MiniTruckin' Nationals ’24 for Gauge Magazine, featured with Chad Louque’s Toyota (November 2024 Gauge Girl). For seven years, she was also a contributing writer and photographer for Street Trucks Magazine, covering events like Forbidden Fantasy, Severed in the Midwest, Cruise to the Pines, the Wheel Smith feature, and more. Plus, supported Engaged Media on various other projects through the years. While custom trucks will always have her heart, she jumped into the off-road racing world in 2015, documenting teams, PR, coaching youth athletes, sponsor decks, race media, and logistics for the DIRT Expo for the past 11 years. This is where the dust is real, and the adrenaline is louder than the music.

These days, she runs Bagged N Nerdy Brand and Auto Nerd Media. She co-owns Misfit Metal Flake, Cannoli Queen, and Chad Criss Design. Staying busy is basically her personality trait. Take out her NERD brain, she’s a proud mom of three thriving adults, dog mom, and has a very supportive husband. When she’s not shooting something rad or nerding out on website strategy, you’ll find her gardening, creating art, camping, fishing, at the beach, or floating the river, always making memories with her family by her side. “Stay Rad.”

Photographer & Content Creator

Steven Stout

Facebook: @steven.stout.96

Oh snap, let’s begin by saying my name is Steven Stout. I’m 33 years old, born in the small town of Richlands, VA. The coal industry has been my job since I started working full time building mining equipment. At our peaceful home in Peterstown, WV, there is my beautiful wife, Hannah, and our gorgeous daughter, Piper.

Photography started for me when my family would have family get-togethers or go camping, and my Mamaw would always have a camera in her hand, catching every memory that she could. A saying I’ve always lived by is what my Mamaw always said: “One day these pictures will be all we have of these memories.” That has never left my mindset. Moving forward, when I finally was able to get a camera in my hand, my dad and Papaw would take me to the drag strip and local car shows, and from that point on, I had a passion for automotive photography. Most of the photos I focused on early in life were of the hot rod and lifted truck scene because that’s all I grew up around. The mini-truck lifestyle isn’t only the trucks and shows, but the people you meet along the way. It is very hard to explain because the friendships you gain are so powerful that they give a whole new meaning to a true friend. They are the best people you will ever meet.

I was under 10 years old when I saw my first mini truck at a show in the K-Mart parking lot in Claypool, VA. Years later, after school, I started attending more shows like Slamfest, Madness in the Mountains, MiniTruck Nationals, and Sparks Show in Tennessee. As time went on, I got more involved in doing people and car photo shoots every weekend, and I never dreamed I’d have an opportunity like the one I received from Damien Davis and Jessica Howell in 2026. It has been an absolute honor to be involved with this incredible team of photographers and editors. The entire crew behind MiniTruckin' Magazine has been amazing to work with in every way possible, and I want to thank everyone for this unbelievable journey.

Photographer & Content Creator

Nicole Diaz

Instagram: @_noodlemedia_

I’m Nicole, based in California. I have been in and around the scene since 2009. I started as a wedding and family photographer, and now I just capture all the car show after-party shenanigans and the hardworking staff doing their best to keep these shows organized.

I’m just a girl with a camera, running on chaos, caffeine, and an obsession with capturing moments before they disappear.

Photographer & Content Creator

Earl Jordan

Instagram: @Classytrash_54_photo

I’ve been into mini trucks since I was about 8 to 10 years old, looking at MiniTruckin' mag on the store shelves while my mom grocery shopped. Something about these little trucks always had my attention.

I’ve been going to shows since 2005. I picked up a camera in 2024 just for fun, to have something to do in my free time at shows. I started doing little shoots just for practice, with no intention of ever calling myself a photographer, and here I am now, a part of the MT team!

When I’m not at shows, I’m in my hometown of Dayton, Tennessee, tattooing out of my shop, Dayton Tattoo & Art Collective. I’ve been tattooing for 17 years.

Photographer & Content Creator

Cheri Delgadillo

Instagram: @ocminichick

I’m just a girl from Orange County, California, doing mini-truck stuff with her mini-truck friends!

My show vehicle is a bagged 1998 Toyota Tacoma extended cab. It’s orange and silver with graphics.

I’ve been doing event coverage and shooting features for a while… okay, maybe not a while—more like a really, really long time. I have been very fortunate to be given many great opportunities to cover events and meet mini-truckers from all over the country.

I started with a small magazine called MiniStyle.com. When it stopped publishing, I moved to Gauge Magazine, then StreetSource.com, followed by MiniTruck News before eventually landing at All Time Low. Currently, I am doing event coverage and features for Custom Trucks Magazine, based in Japan; Gauge Magazine, based in the U.S.; and now MiniTruckin' Magazine.

When the announcement was made that someone had purchased the magazine and was putting plans in place to bring it back to where it was before it stopped publishing in 2014, I had questions just like everyone else. With so many amazing photographers on the West Coast, I was not expecting a phone call from Damien. To have the opportunity to do event coverage and features for MiniTruckin' Magazine was not on my BINGO card.

I’m so excited to be part of the MiniTruckin' Magazine crew! I’m looking forward to bringing the West Coast to the pages of the magazine. I go to many events throughout the year and enjoy making new friends. So, when you see me at an event, come up and say hi and tell me about your build!

EDITORIAL

Tripp Shute “After-Party/ Lifestyle Aficionado”

My name is Tripp Shute, and I caught the mini-truck bug long before I ever owned one. While working as a grocery bagger at Kroger, I was responsible for stocking and organizing the magazine rack. That’s where I discovered MiniTruckin', Truckin’, and Street Trucks magazines. I may have “borrowed” a few copies along the way, but once I started flipping through those pages, the obsession was set.

In 2014, I started hanging around with Freaks of Nature Truck Club, and before long I was fully immersed in the mini-truck lifestyle. I dove headfirst into building trucks, traveling across the country to shows, and making lifelong friendships along the way.

In 2021, I decided to take my passion a step further and started promoting events of my own. Since then, I’ve built The Freakin Weekend into one of the premier party-focused truck shows in the country. My goal has always been simple: keep the fun, the party, and the good times at the forefront of the scene.

For me, mini trucking has never been just about the trucks. It’s about the people, the experiences, and the memories.

EDITORIAL

Matt Yarborough

Facebook: @ myarborough1

Back in 1991, while cruisin’ in the back of my parents’ van, we were passed by a convoy of mini trucks. A club most likely headed to MiniTruckin' Nationals in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. At the time, I had only ever seen hot rods in convoy. This was different. These were young people in trucks that were all different colors and styles. I knew in that moment this was what I wanted to be a part of.

Eight years later, I would be driving to Pigeon Forge with my club. At that time, the dream was to contribute somehow to MiniTruckin' Magazine. Fast forward another twenty-five years, and that dream has come true.

I have found that mini trucks are one of the best vehicles used to achieve anything in life. The content I share is the result of passion, ambition, brotherhood, determination, rule-breaking, and salvation. These are the stories of trucks built by the greatest enthusiasts in automobile customizing history. I share these stories here, in MiniTruckin' Magazine, and also on social media as minitruck_matt.

CONTRIBUTORS

Mike Alexander

Instagram: @air_lift_mikeaq

One of the worst things ever is trying to write about yourself, ha ha. So I’ll make it short and sweet—I love my family, all things custom, and living life to the fullest. Throughout these last couple of decades of madness, I’ve currently found myself in a season of peace and fun!

Beginning my automotive career at MiniTruckin' Magazine in the early 2000s propelled me on a path of truly pushing and pursuing my dreams. From full custom minis to pursuing my own media company (SLAM’D Magazine, Rev’d Media Group), to founding FLO AIRRIDE Suspension Company and selling/merging a home-grown company with a large automotive manufacturer, and now running Air Lift Performance and FLO full-time—it’s been one heck of a ride.

But to find myself back on staff at the mag that started it all, and to be among such great humans doing this side by side, is something that I truly cherish and value more than words can say. MiniTruckin' is much more than just printed pages—it’s a life that we have all built together and a passion that drives us in every single thing we do.

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