4.6.26 – Now in its fourth consecutive year at the largest automotive services show of its kind, the Bodywork Bowl at AASP/NJ’s NORTHEAST® Automotive Services Show continues to be a fan favorite that once again did not disappoint!
The fun, friendly competition allowed estimators, painters and welders the opportunity to showcase their skills right on the show floor for the chance to win a variety of prizes worth thousands of dollars to build out their skill set and tool kits.
This NORTHEAST attraction is presented by AASP/NJ with the help of a variety of generous sponsors. This year’s painting competition was supported by INDASA USA, BASF and Pelatec with Matthew’s Auto Supplies also providing 3D printed color samples for the competition. The estimating portion of the competition was supported by CCC Intelligent Solutions, Collision Advice and Enterprise, who donated the vehicle used for this section. The body work and welding competition was sponsored by Telwin, Reliable Automotive Equipment (RAE), Spanesi, Chief and Collision Equipment Consulting Inc.
Winners of the Bodywork Bowl are as follows:
Estimating
First place: Tyler McNee
Second place: Jeremy Davis
Third place: Owen Rodriguez
Painting
First place: John Lemos
Second place: Kelly Bauer
Third place: John Hermann
Body/Welding
First place: David Chicaiza
Second place: Chris McFarland
Third place: Michael Keehan
The competition was friendly but fierce as competitors came from all across the country to show off their skills. Sparks flew from the body work section of the event as technicians showed off their soldering and welding prowess. The result of this hard work brought the third place winner a RAE jacket and the second place winner a new Telwin puller. Ultimately, David Chicaiza (CARSTAR Auto; Brooklyn, NY) took home the grand prize welder donated by Chief and Collision Equipment Consulting Inc.
The painting competition featured a similar attention to detail and great deal of talent as contestants color categorized paint samples and textured images to their corresponding match. The second and third place winners took home cash prizes and Pelatec paint suits. The first place winner received a new INDASA polisher. First place winner, John Lemos (Ray’s Automotive, Waterbury, CT), initially didn’t plan to compete – let alone win – making his victory even sweeter. “It was almost like a last-minute decision [to compete] yesterday. We just said ‘This looks cool, let’s go for it,’” explained Lemos. “I loved it, and I actually needed a buffing kit.”
The quietest part of the competition was the estimating section, an area where contestants circled the wrecked vehicle, focused and took in every little detail. The third place winner received a swag bag and the second place winner won a one-on-one class with DEG Administrator Danny Gredinberg. The first place winner is no stranger to the Bodywork Bowl’s estimating first place cash prize as Tyler McNee (Ultimate Collision and Repair, Edison, NJ) returned to reclaim his crown for the second year in a row. “It felt good to win,” expressed McNee. It’s not always something you see in the day to day. So it’s good to see it paying off.”
NORTHEAST 2027 – the 50th iteration of AASP/NJ’s flagship show – is scheduled for March 19, 20 and 21, 2027 at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus. Be sure to visit aaspnjnortheast.com for details as they become available.
Be sure to check out the April issue of New Jersey Automotive available at grecopublishing.com for the full recap of NORTHEAST 2026!
Photo caption: (L-R): Bodywork Bowl Coordinator Jill Tuggle; John Lemos (1st place – painting); David Chicaiza (1st place – body/welding); AASP/NJ President Ken Miller and Tyler McNee (1st place – estimating).
