The LKQ FinishMaster team and the Collision Repair Education Foundation (CREF) invited the industry to celebrate Hood Master's fifth anniversary on Thursday, August 29, at The Bell Tower, downtown Nashville's largest historic event space. 

The Hood Master Challenge is an exciting platform where painters and refinishers push the boundaries of their creativity with original artwork on mini car hoods, judged in person by a panel of industry experts hand-selected by Hood Master sponsors. Challengers can win prizes, including cash, spray guns, industry-related products and fun swag totaling more than $26,000 this year. The contest categories have expanded to include airbrush, graphics, pinstripe, wild card and online crowd favorite. 

"It has been incredible to see the growth of this event year over year, not just with the additional hood and pin submissions but also the industry support. Thank you to LKQ FinishMaster for organizing this to help raise additional awareness and funds for the high school and post-secondary collision programs that CREF works to support across the country," said Brandon Eckenrode, executive director of CREF. 

The event coincides with the PiN Master Challenge for high school and collision repair students to repair, design and paint retired bowling pins. 

Registration for the event opens Monday, March 18. For more information, visit lkqcorp.com/hood-master-challenge/. Those interested in helping with the fundraiser should contact LKQmarketing@lkqcorp.com.