Texas Auto Writers Association: The Great Texas Tailgate
Everything’s Bigger in Texas: The Great Texas Tailgate and Texas Truck Rodeo
Photo credit: Kevin McCauley | Journalists from across the country met up at the Texas Auto Writers Association's The Great Texas Tailgate to kickoff the 31st Annual Texas Truck Rodeo deep in the heart of Texas.
The Texas Auto Writers Association’s Annual Texas Truck Rodeo is one of those events I always look forward to attending. When I’ve been fortunate to attend without work or trip conflicts, it’s been a real treat. I’ll never forget my first rodeo in 2019. (So yes, this is not my first rodeo, ok?) This time around, we’ve got our friends and South Florida/Latin America syndicates at Fast Cars Daily on deck. What a pleasure to have extended family on the road again!
With over 30 vehicles and 40 journalists across two days, Texas Auto Writers Association kicked off The Great Texas Tailgate and Texas Truck Rodeo with great spirit. First things first: let’s recap Day 1: The Great Texas Tailgate.
The Great Texas Tailgate
Photo credit: Kevin McCauley | Joe Sage of Arizona Driver Magazine caught up with us at the Jeep activation.
This refresh made for light conversation and built up excitement for the upcoming drive. Organizing vehicles for the off-road course, light off-roading on the grassy areas, and street-only designations allowed everyone to enjoy a variety of driving experiences. One thing is for sure: everything’s bigger in Texas, and this new standard for the high-profile automotive event brought the energy.
Your board members here set this event into motion with the help of Stephanie Gardner of Candid Creative. As Secretary of the Texas Auto Writers Association, I’m always fascinated with how our team, journalist members, and brand partners collaborate to share the latest and greatest on the market with our viewers. Thanks Cory Fourniquet, President of TAWA, for another great drive and bringing us together.
Light Up Texas with Powerful Vehicle Activations
Photo credit: Kevin McCauley | GMC Hummer EV made its iconic appearance and exemplified electrifying prowess.
Brand activations from various manufacturers were powered by the vehicles themselves. Showing off the vehicles in their natural off-roading habitat with unique experiences lit up our night for the perfect event kickoff.
Jeep always knows how to show out, and the giant, inflatable rubber ducky highlighted the brand’s well-known tradition to “duck” one another with a rubber ducky as a friendly way to recognize and share in the Jeep-fandom. The duck race activities earned us some handsome flannel blankets and rubber duckies to enjoy. Get ducked!
Ram Trucks powered the Cowboys vs. Giants game, where members could stop and watch the game. (Elias of Rev Match Media wasn’t too happy the Giants lost, but hey, at least we got to watch the game in a cool way!) This showcased the versatility and technology in action, so if you’re off-roading or simply hanging out at the tailgate, you are empowered to utilize your truck any way you want it.
GMC rolled up in style with the iconic, ever-evolving Hummer EV! This truck turns heads and ensures you’ll remember its stature. It’s an exciting return to our festivities and coverage with the Texas Auto Writers Association. I remember the first time I saw one in person in Philadelphia, PA with General Motors. Hopefully we can drive one and give you our on-the-road impressions.
Awards and Sponsors
Photo credit: Kevin McCauley | We brought home awards around our event coverage and photography. Cheers to more creativity!
My husband Elias Garcia of Rev Match Media won two awards, and I won one as well— it’s nice to receive recognition among your peers. (No big deal, but you can now refer to us as award-winning journalists, naturally. Ok, I’ll cut the cheese, pero we’ll keep crushing it with creativity and coverage in motion. ;) Hey, someone has to promote, right? Shameless in personal development and growth here, but I digress…keep reading!) Curious about the entire awards and how they shook out? You can check that out here.
I've had my eye on INEOS for a while, and it was EVERYTHING to finally drive one of these off-roading daredevils across Decatur, Texas. Worth the $100K+? Absolutely. INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster is iconic.
Shout out to sponsors Toyota, MyPlates.com, Genesis, and Vehicle for Good. As an organization, we’re grateful for the brand investment with lunch, connectivity, a photo booth, and spreading awareness on impacting the community at large. Hitting us in the feels with this one, we’re ecstatic to feel the love from our manufacturers.
Gallery photo credit: Kevin McCauley | We thank the sponsors for making The Great Texas Tailgate a very special one!