2025 NSRA Individual of the Year Rex & Annette Watson
O ver 50 years ago the NSRA began recognizing an “Individual of the Year” from within our industry and this year they were proud to rec- ognize both Rex and Annette Watson with their “2025 NSRA Individual of the Year” award. Rex and Annette own Affordable Street Rods and recently purchased Pure Choice Motorsports. Their love for hot rods began at an early age for one and in 2014 for the other. At just 13 years old Rex built his first car, a ‘33 Chevy coupe he had to push across town to the welding shop with help from his mom, but only at night so her friends wouldn’t see. He completed the ‘33 when he was a freshman in high school shop class. Before age 18 he became a member of the Great Bend Car Club and in the early ‘80s he attended his first NSRA event in Oklahoma City with friends from the club. Although life, family and career eventually took precedence, he never stopped building or attending shows. Over the years our recipient has built several ’32 Fords including two roadsters, a chopped five-window, a ’33 Ford road- ster pickup and even a ’32 three-window go-kart. His professional career was in education, first as an art teacher, and eventually becoming both a principal and a superintendent. Even then, his passion for hot rods never faded. As principal, he often drove his ’32 five-window coupe to school, hoping to show stu- dents that learning and cool cars could go together. As superintendent, he launched the Peabody-Burns High School Hot Rod Program, an innovative blend of education and hands-on skills. Using his industry con- tacts and resourcefulness, he helped secure donated or discounted parts, and under his guidance, the stu- dents built a ’32 roadster from the ground up. Students who once struggled with fractions quickly mastered them using wrenches, while others learned X, Y and Z-axis coordinates while running milling machines. The biggest “problem?” They wanted to skip English class to be in the shop—and didn’t want to go home after school. His program helped at-risk students succeed, build confidence, and even launch future careers. That original student-built ’32 roadster still turns heads at local car shows today. In 1988, Affordable Street Rods was founded in Great Bend, Kansas, by Rich Fox—a fellow Great Bend Car Club member. When the business went up for sale in 2012, Rex traded in his suit and tie for T-shirts and jeans, purchasing Affordable Street Rods and expand- ing it in 2014 with the acquisition of “Richard’s Stuff.”
With the expansion came the need for a website. Technically challenged but undeterred, he called on a former teacher to help and always up for a challenge, Annette jumped in with both feet. Her first NSRA show was the 2014 Mid-America Nationals in Springfield, Missouri. Coming from a farming background, not the hot rod world, she initially wondered, “Who in the world spends $1,000 on gauges for their old pickup?” But once at the show, Annette quickly fell in love with the hot rod community and began working for Affordable over summer break. The plan was for her to return to teaching in August, but after attending the NSRA Nationals in Louisville, she was ready for a career change too. The rest, as they say, is history. From 2015 to 2020 their show schedule was full throttle, some years with as many as 30 events. In 2018, a 12,000- square-foot building was constructed to house Affordable Street Rods. What they thought would be more than enough space turned out to be just the beginning. They’ve since expanded the campus with another warehouse. In January 2024, they expanded once more with the purchase of Pure Choice Motorsports, a respected name in automotive plumb- ing. Staying true to the company’s original mission, cre- ating selective plumbing solutions for the automotive industry, Rex has since developed several innovative products to help builders solve real-world challenges in their builds. Together, this year’s recipients have worked to bring top brands, expert service, and real- world advice to customers and builders across the country. Rex’s journey from a 13-year-old building a coupe to educator, builder, innovator, and entrepre- neur is a true testament to his passion, perseverance, and commitment to helping others succeed—both in life and in the garage. StreetScene editor Tom Vogele presented both Rex and Annette Watson with their “2025 NSRA Individual of the Year” award plaque.
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