1949 CHEVY P/U "PUNCH OUT PARKINSONS"

Project Giving Back – SEMA 2019

In Honor of Gordon Minty | Raising Awareness for Parkinson’s Disease

For the 2019 SEMA Show, Finish Line Speed Shop proudly continued our mission through Project Giving Back, choosing to build a 1949 Chevrolet truck dedicated to raising awareness for Parkinson’s Disease. This year’s project honors an incredible man—Gordon Minty—whose strength, resilience, and quiet courage deeply moved our entire team.

A Daughter’s Love, A Father’s Fight

We first heard Gordon’s story through his daughter, Keri, whose words pierced our hearts. As Jennifer from Finish Line Speed Shop put it, “If you looked up ‘Daddy’s Girl’ in the dictionary, you’d see a picture of Keri.”

Here is Keri’s story, in her own words:

“My dad was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at 62. Coincidentally, my grandfather was the same age when he received the same diagnosis. I was five months pregnant when we got the news. It was a long journey—recognizing symptoms, watching them progress, and going through the trial-and-error process of medication. But he made it. He was there when my daughter was born—right there in the room.

His first symptoms weren’t the classic tremors most people associate with Parkinson’s. It was the way he carried himself—head slightly down, posture leaning forward, a slow shuffle in his step with no arm swing. His face changed too. The sparkle faded into what they call the 'thousand-yard stare,' which has since become the full Parkinson’s mask. It’s stolen his smile—and his laugh—on most days.

My dad used to sing out loud, especially to the radio. I miss that most.

He’s in what doctors call the ‘mid-stages’ now. It’s harder for him to walk or speak clearly. He doesn’t project well anymore, and it’s been years since he could safely drive. That’s tough for a man who spent his entire career on the road, logging over a million miles as a Sales Rep for Smead Manufacturing in the Northwest.

These days, his balance and reaction time have declined. He often struggles with focus, memory, and finding the right words. Emotionally, he’s always on edge—it’s right beneath the surface. He says it’s a very socially isolating disease.

Fatigue is constant. And the ‘freezing’ episodes—where his body just stops responding—are painful and scary. His left side is most affected, but it can hit anywhere, anytime.

I just pray every day for a cure.”
— Keri Minty

The Build with a Purpose

With every weld, bolt, and brushstroke, this 1949 Chevrolet truck will stand as a symbol of perseverance, love, and the unbreakable bond between a father and daughter. It’s more than a build—it’s a platform to shine a light on a disease that affects millions, yet remains widely misunderstood.

Parkinson’s doesn’t just steal movement—it steals moments, smiles, voices, and independence. But Gordon’s story reminds us that strength can still shine through even the quietest days.

Our Mission

Through Project Giving Back, Finish Line Speed Shop is honored to share Gordon’s journey and amplify the voices of those living with Parkinson’s. This build is for him—and for every family navigating this challenging road.

We’re proud to use our tools, time, and passion to fuel awareness, support research, and remind the world that behind every disease is a name, a face, and a story worth telling.