Mustang Week Texas 2026: Car Show Information

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Mustang Week Texas 2026 Car Show Schedule

Saturday 4/17 Cruise-in

• 10:00AM – Gates Open For VIP Car Show Participants
• 11:00AM – Gates Open To All Car Show Participants
• Noon – Gates Open to Spectators
• 1:00 PM – Vendor’s Choice Awards Selection Begins (Ceremony on Saturday)

Sunday 4/18 Car Show

• 10:00AM – Gates Open For VIP Car Show Participants
• 11:00AM – Gates Open To All Car Show Participants
• Noon – Gates Open to Spectators and Judging Begins
• 5:00 PM – Car Show Awards Ceremony

Car Show Judging Information

Mustang Week judging isn’t about who spent the most money or who bolted on the most parts. It’s about craftsmanship. The cars that rise to the top are the ones that look finished, make sense as a whole, and show pride in the details. If you understand how judges look at cars, you’ll understand exactly how to build one that scores well.

How the Judges Think

Every car is judged through the same lens, regardless of style or budget. First and foremost, cleanliness and finish come first. If a car is dirty, sloppy, or incomplete, nothing else matters. After that, judges look at fit, alignment, and craftsmanship — panel gaps, wiring, paint consistency, mounting, and overall execution.

Next comes – does the car make sense as a complete build, or does it feel like a collection of random parts? After that, judges consider difficulty and custom work, followed by uniqueness.

You can build something subtle or radical. Both can win. What matters is that the work is well-thought-out, and professionally finished. “OEM-quality” doesn’t mean factory-stock — it means the level of fit and finish you’d expect from a top-tier builder.

Exterior & Body Work

The exterior is where judges form their first impression. Judges looking for modifications that set your Mustang apart while still looking like they belong.

Body kits, wide bodies, flares, shaved panels, and custom metal work all earn credit when the craftsmanship is right. Clean seams, straight body lines, even gaps, and hidden hardware are critical. Molded kits will always score better than kits that are obviously bolted or screwed on. Full metal wide bodies or metal flares carry more weight than fiberglass or urethane when finished properly.

If you’ve shaved emblems, moldings, keyholes, or fuel doors, the metalwork must be flawless. Judges will look closely. Any filler waves, cracks, or unfinished areas will be noticed immediately. The goal is simple: your exterior modifications should look like the car was designed that way from day one.

Paint & Finish

Paint quality is one of the fastest ways to gain — or lose — points.

Judges expect paint to be clean, consistent, and properly finished across the entire vehicle. Color mismatch between panels, visible overspray, tape lines, fisheyes, or heavy orange peel all count against you. If you’ve done a color change, it needs to be complete — door jambs, trunk, engine bay, under the hood, and hidden areas included.

Details matter here. A properly wet-sanded, buffed, and fully detailed paint job stands out immediately. Creativity is encouraged, but execution comes first. Unique colors, multi-tone schemes, candy paint, metallics, flakes, matte finishes, pinstriping, or leaf work all earn attention when they’re applied cleanly and carried through the entire car. Shortcuts in paint are easy to spot — and hard to overcome.

Engine Bay

If the exterior gets a judge to stop, the engine bay is often what wins them over. The engine compartment needs to be spotless. No grease, no grime, no rust. If your hood is closed during judging, it’s assumed the engine bay is stock and unprepared, so leave it open.

Performance upgrades matter, but how they’re installed matters just as much. Judges look for quality parts, clean routing, organized wiring, and tight hardware. Custom fabrication — things like custom piping, relocated components, custom brackets, manifolds, or forced induction setups — scores higher than basic bolt-ons when it’s done cleanly and with purpose.

Drivetrain

A lot of the hardest work in a serious build lives underneath the car, and judges don’t overlook them. Upgraded transmissions, clutches, differentials, driveshafts, converters, gear changes, cooling systems, and ECU upgrades all earn credit when they make sense for the build. Judges respect drivetrain upgrades that show planning, function, and durability.

Chassis, Suspension & Brakes

Suspension and braking tell judges how much thought went into the way the car drives and performs. Brake upgrades follow the same logic. Bigger and better systems earn credit when installed correctly and matched to the car’s purpose. Multi-piston calipers, larger rotors, custom brackets, and race-inspired systems stand out when they’re clean and functional. As always, execution matters more than complexity.

Wheels & Tires

Wheels and tires are an easy place to lose points if you’re careless. They must be spotless — inside and out. Judges pay close attention to how the wheels sit in the wheel wells. Wide body cars need wheels that actually fill the space. Wheels that rub, limit turning radius, or look undersized will hurt your score.

Unique wheels or custom finishes can earn extra credit, but only if they complement the overall build. Tires should match the purpose of the car and fit the wheels properly. Bald, damaged, or mismatched tires are an automatic deduction.

Interior

The interior should feel just as intentional as the exterior. Everything should be clean and properly installed. Seats, gauges, panels, trim, and carpeting all matter. If you want your trunk or hatch judged, leave it open and make sure it’s finished and presentable.

Quality materials, clean stitching, and thoughtful design choices stand out. Custom upholstery, hand-built panels, custom mounts, cages, consoles, and one-off interior components all earn credit when executed properly.

Just like the rest of the car, more isn’t always better. Fit and finish matter most.

Overall Presentation

First impressions matter. Judges want to walk up to your car and immediately understand what it’s about. Creativity is encouraged, but the car should always be the star.

Car Show Classes for Mustang Week Texas 2025 *

Best of Show Awards

Mustang Awards

Specialty Awards

Overall Show Awards

*Award Categories are subject to change without notice