1973 GMC "Strong Roots"

Project Strong Roots – SEMA 2018

A Tribute to Julie Nichols | A Mission of Strength, Family, and Faith

For the 2018 SEMA Show, Finish Line Speed Shop continued our tradition of Project Giving Back by building a 1978 GMC C10—this time in honor of an extraordinary woman, Julie Nichols, and her courageous battle with colon cancer. Julie passed away in December 2016 at just 43 years old, but her legacy lives on through her family, her message, and now, this truck.

Love Is Stronger Than Cancer

Born on January 18, 1973, Julie Nichols was a mother to four boys—CJ, Austin, Pono, and Mycah—and the soulmate of her beloved husband, Alapai, who proudly called himself “the biggest kid of them all.” Julie was vibrant, creative, and endlessly generous. She was a gifted massage therapist, a talented artist, and a hula dancer who performed as far away as Japan. She loved deeply, lived adventurously, and gave her heart to everyone around her.

Five years before her diagnosis, Julie founded Strong Roots, a clothing and lifestyle brand rooted in the belief that children thrive on the values we pass down—love, simplicity, and family. Her motto was clear:

“There are two gifts we can give our children: roots and wings.”

Unknowingly, Julie was building not just a brand, but a guiding philosophy that would help her own family face the most difficult chapter of their lives.

A Fighter to the End

At 41, Julie was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer and given 3–6 months to live. But Julie had other plans. She refused to look at scans or statistics. Instead, she embraced life and her Strong Roots mission—fighting boldly for 25 months with grace, courage, and joy. Her husband Alapai stood by her side every step of the way—not just as a caregiver, but as her rock. When Julie entered hospice, he never left her side.

Julie was—and remains—a symbol of strength. Her story moved us deeply.

The Birth of Project Strong Roots

After Julie’s passing, Alapai and his father Gary Nichols decided to honor her legacy by building a custom truck—a vehicle that captured Julie’s vibrant spirit and unshakable strength. They dreamed of a truck she would have loved.

Living in Hawaii, their search for the right builder led them across the ocean to a small town in Washington—Bremerton, where they discovered a stunning 1975 Chevrolet C10 previously built by Finish Line Speed Shop. That meeting was more than coincidence—it was destiny.

Alapai and Lyon sat down and shared their stories. What began as a build consultation quickly grew into something more: a shared vision for Project Strong Roots—a build that would become the next chapter in Finish Line’s Project Giving Back.

At the time, Alapai and Gary had no idea about our Give Back program—they were simply drawn to our shop by the quality of the work and a feeling in their gut. But as the two families connected, we knew this was the right project. This was Julie’s hot rod.

Full Circle

As Alapai put it:

“When life brings you full circle, pay attention. There’s a lesson there.”

We couldn’t agree more. Project Strong Roots is more than a truck—it’s a love letter, a legacy, and a reminder that even in our darkest moments, family, faith, and passion can light the way forward.

Julie’s story continues to inspire, and

we are honored to be part of carrying it on.