Seizures and exhibitions are a revolting blemish on vehicular culture. These unruly and typically unconnected post-events lead law enforcement to halt gatherings that attract enthusiasts from all over the nation, dragging down both entertainment and financial backing. A similar situation nearly transpired this past week at Lone Star Throwdown, a popular truck exhibition in Conroe, Texas. Attendees dispersed following the end of the show and convened an unofficial gathering of their own, which turned out to be so aggressive and damaging that local Homeland Security intervened.
Reports about the takeover began to circulate after this year’s Lone Star Throwdown concluded on February 25th. The event’s organizers promptly discussed it via social media, keeping most details undisclosed while stating, “It’s disheartening to have to defend something you’ve worked so diligently for because others were never taught respect.” There were talks that the agreement for next year’s event was in jeopardy of being annulled as a consequence, and the Montgomery County Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Management organized a meeting with LST promoters on Thursday, March 6th.
Screencap via Facebook
Meanwhile, endorsements for the show poured in from all directions. Merchants and devoted followers of LST urged law enforcement to permit the 2025 show to proceed as scheduled, providing explicit details of how the event itself is not the issue—it’s the individuals involved in the upheaval. An interview on a podcast with event organizers Lonnie Ford, Todd Hendrex, and Jarrod Dunahoo was streamed live earlier this week, addressing the situation.
“Nothing untoward occurred at the event,” Hendrex remarked on the C10 Talk Podcast. “The event transpired smoothly. To suggest we had nearly 30,000 spectators is absurd.
“We adapt and evolve with the show, making adjustments as we progress. No incidents occurred at the event,” Hendrex reiterated. “What’s causing our contract to be revoked are the post-gatherings, the post-events, the takeovers—whatever term you prefer. I’m not saying congregating in a parking lot is wrong; we’ve all done it for ages. But viewing the body camera footage from some of these officers made me furious.”
The recorded material referenced by Hendrex reportedly displays individuals filching mobility karts from a nearby Kroger, coming into physical contact with officers, and causing significant damage to property. Burnouts extended beyond the road surface and into the landscaping of businesses, destroying more grass and vegetation than black tire marks. Furthermore, individuals were observed urinating on patrol vehicles and making attempts to liberate a detained person from the rear of a police car.
“I understand that from an external perspective, when assessed collectively, [they believe] they’re present because of us, which I comprehend. However, they are not,” expressed Hendrex. “After scrutinizing all the footage, only three to four individuals with registrations engaging in inappropriate actions were identified.”
The successful outcome of the meeting between LST organizers and their local Homeland Security division occurred on Wednesday. They managed to secure their agreement for 2025 with the understanding that there will be zero tolerance for unlawful conduct next year. LST shared an image from the meeting on social media, captioned, “Accountability needs to be enforced for us to continue hosting the event we have all invested our efforts into. This pertains not only to us as organizers but also to the vendors, participants, and spectators. The overwhelming support we have received demonstrates everyone’s vested interest. It has also highlighted the extent of our backing and words are inadequate to express our appreciation for it. Your support has not gone unnoticed.”
A representative from Montgomery County Homeland Security responded, concluding with, “Preventing these misconducts requires the cooperation of everyone. We eagerly anticipate a more constructive partnership.”
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