After a Decade-Plus of Street Racing, Billy Hoskinson Shifts Gears to No-Prep, Small Tire and Drag and Drive Events, Including His Third Sick Week Appearance in 2026!
Following in the footsteps of his father, Billy ‘The Kid’ Hoskinson has been drag racing since before he possessed a driver license. He also mixed things up on the street as well, documenting not only his results, but others as well, on the popular ‘Street Racing Channel’ YouTube channel.
In the last few years, street racing has fallen off in certain areas, but Billy has evolved with the times, racing his well-known S-10, as well as a first-gen Camaro and third-gen Nova, in several no-prep events. He’s even tried his hand at drag and drive events, and will return to the scene of his first drag and drive, Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, with a new ride for 2026.
The 2026 edition of Gear Vendors Overdrive Sick Week, February 1st through 7th, will showcase some of the best in drag and drive! Tom Bailey, Jeff Lutz, Stefan Gustafsson, Bryant Goldstone, Josh Davis, Lamar Swindoll Jr, Darin Hendricks, and more will be looking for another class win, while over 900 street miles of driving through Florida and South Georgia awaits competitors! Get your spectator tickets now and save some coin, or join the Sick Ward - CLICK HERE for more info on Sick Week!
Growing up in Ohio with his family, it wasn’t uncommon to find Billy, father Bill and brother Tommy at a race more than once a week when the weather was warm. “I grew up in racing,” Billy said. “I enjoyed it, and made a lot of cool memories doing it.”
After pushing his small block S-10 to its limits on small tires during no-prep and street races, Billy knew the small tire game was changing. Enter the black third-generation Nova, followed by the white first-generation Camaro, a car that grabbed a lot of attention during a win at Street Car Takeover for doing a massive wheelstand through the finish line.
For his third appearance at Sick Week presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, Billy will bring out a new ride, a second-generation Camaro. “I’ve never really been into these cars, but for some reason when I found this one, and it looked to be a really good deal, so I went and checked it out,” he said. “I’ve always loved orange, and when I saw up close, I fell in love with it.”
The Camaro sports a 5.3 liter LS and a manual transmission swap, and after an initial test drive, Billy has hinted he might swap out the current driveline before Sick Week. But he’s looking forward to heading south from Ohio for a week of drag and drive with his family.
“Sick Week is something great to look forward to in the winter time,” said Billy. “We treat it as a vacation of sorts. Our whole racing season is go-go-go, and the drag and drive deal is more relaxed for us. It’s a great time.”
After its initial Sick Week outing in 2024, the 1955 Chevrolet is getting some changes as well. “I’m gearing it up to where it can be a little more reliable, and I’d like to bring it back out (for a drag and drive).”
He’s even hinted at doing more than a single drag and drive event in the future. “I’m looking at doing some more in 2026. “I enjoy Sick Week, and I’ve thought about doing either Sick Summer or Sick Michigan Miles. I’d like to hit three this year if I could.”
Don’t miss the 2026 edition of Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive, February 1st through the 7th. Discounted advance tickets and event details are available at the Sick Week event page by CLICKING HERE!
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Motion Raceworks, and Street Racing Channel.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com