Plot Synopsis

Hosted by car afficionado Rutledge Wood, each one-hour episode of HOT WHEELS: ULTIMATE CHALLENGE invites two superfans into the Chrome Zone, where they face off in transforming an ordinary vehicle into an extraordinary Hot Wheels showstopper, inspired by personal stories and pop culture touchstones. Working alongside a team of automotive magicians known as "The Car Pool," the two superfans create their designs in high-tech, decked-out garages. The winner of each episode takes home $25,000 and the chance to get into the finale, where three lucky finalists transform another car in hopes of winning a legendary prize -- an additional $50,000 and the honor of having their build made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car. Resident experts Dalal Elsheikh, designer for the Ford Motor Company, and Hertrech "Hert" Eugene Jr., car culture influencer, review the epic car transformations and crown a winner. They're joined by these celebrity guest judges: Anthony Anderson, Big E, Terry Crews, Sung Kang, Jay Leno and Joel McHale. Leno also joins the finale episodes and will have a hand in determining the transformation that will be made into an official Hot Wheels die-cast car.Plus, Ted Wu, Global Head of Design for Mattel's Vehicles division, also joins the finale, offering unmatched Hot Wheels expertise as a winner is selected.

The superfans joining the show are:
Luidgi Aldator | Brooklyn, NY
Rob Anders | Gilbert, AZ
Felix Arguelles | Los Angeles, CA
Angela Arnold | Gilbertown, AL
Michael Cooney | Chicago, IL
Jadejha Edwards | Houston, TX
"Jersey" Jim Farrell | Forked River, NJ
Arushi Garg | Houston, TX
Nick Harrison | Hammond, LA
Aldavid Jimerson | Phoenix, AZ
Caroline Johnson | Washington D.C.
Terri Jones | Birmingham, AL
Kevin Lister | Houston, TX
Kris Parker | Manhattan, NY
Lauren Partin | Peebles, OH
Sheilah Spencir | Cedar Hill, TX

The Car Pool members are:
Paul Bacon | Coalville, UK
Rachel Bohnet | Kamloops, BC
Tony Bush Jr. | Hayward, CA
Pa'trice Frazier | Sicklerville, NJ
Cody Ingrassia | East Dundee, IL
Preston Ingrassia | East Dundee, IL
Mark Kelley | Indianola, IA
Claudia La Bianca | Miami, FL
Chris Lee | Bay Shore, NY
Savanna Little | Fountain, CO
Christopher Michaels | Atlanta, GA
Rico Montgomery | Cayce, SC
Bob Partington | Burbank, CA
Charlie Seward | Somerton, UK
Michael Sciortino | Las Vegas, NV
Will Trickett | Dilton Marsh, UK
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On Tuesday, August 8, 2023 at 10pm ET/PT, NBC premiered "Grand Finale (Part 2)," the season finale of HOT WHEELS: ULTIMATE CHALLENGE. Comedy legend and car guru Jay Leno joins the judges to determine a season winner who will take home an extra $50,000 and get their design turned into a real die-cast Hot Wheels toy that anyone can buy.