Slammedenuff Gatlinburg was more than just a car show. It was a community built on creativity, respect, and inspiration. After the recent cancellation of its Sunday show, I felt the need to speak from the heart about what really happened, how “takeover culture” is hurting the scene, and why we must protect the events that inspire the next generation to think outside the box.

There are moments that define a community. Moments that remind us not just of what we build, but of what we stand for. The recent cancellation of Slammedenuff Gatlinburg’s Sunday show was one of those moments.

By now, you’ve probably seen the headlines and the posts online. The event was cut short after a group of individuals chose recklessness over respect on Saturday night by Jimmy’s Market, the first day of what was meant to be a two-day celebration of car culture.

For those who might not know, Slammedenuff has spent years building something special. They have hosted shows across the nation, bringing together some of the most creative and passionate builders in the car scene. Their events are not just about stance or fitment; they are about craftsmanship, expression, and community. Out of all their shows, Gatlinburg stands as the crown jewel, a gathering that pulls people from all over the world into the heart of the Smoky Mountains.

I have not made it out every year, but the three years I did attend changed the way I saw car culture and even photography. I still remember my first time in 2020 like it was yesterday. The energy, the creativity, the sense of belonging. It pushed me to grow as an artist and reminded me why I picked up a camera in the first place.

But as much as I love this community, I cannot ignore what has been happening around it. There is a growing shadow cast by something we all know too well as takeovers.

For anyone unfamiliar, takeovers are when people block off public areas to perform dangerous stunts and illegal activities with cars. These are not organized shows or passionate meets; they are chaos. They damage property, put lives at risk, and strain the relationship between the car community and law enforcement nationwide.

And yet, somehow, the rest of us, the real enthusiasts, are the ones who pay the price. The stance scene especially has taken the blame for behavior we have never supported. Let’s be honest, true car enthusiasts despise takeovers. The people who spend nights in their garages fine-tuning their fitment, creating something out of nothing with their cars and saving up for that one part, those are not the same people doing donuts at intersections. Our goal is to create something extraordinary, something that was first thought unimaginable. James, a close friend of mine once said “Bigger and Better this time around, not just a change but an elaboration”.

Slammedenuff Gatlinburg became what it was because it offered something deeper than just cars. It was a space to connect, to create, to inspire the next generation to think differently. For me, those weekends were not just about taking photos; they were about meeting people who became family. People I had known only online became brothers and sisters in a shared passion.

I do not know what the future holds for Slammedenuff Gatlinburg. Maybe it will return next year. Maybe it will not. But what I do know is that what it stood for, the unity, the creativity, the community, will always remain.

Now more than ever, we need to protect what we love. We need to speak up. We need to call out and report takeover activity when we see it. Because every time a few people act out, the rest of us lose something meaningful. I am grateful for the memories I have made through Slammedenuff Gatlinburg. I am grateful for the inspiration it gave me, and for the people it brought into my life.

Below are some of my favorite frames from past years, moments that remind me why this community matters, and why it is worth fighting for.

Owner Instagrams:

VW Arteon: @easttnviking

Honda Civic: @86.jaded

Toyota Corolla: @bgodoy

Mercedes CLS: @amg.collins

Grom: @tim.tann

Acura RSX: @blasianbuilt

Nissan 370Z: @icy.370