Forked River man wins Hot Wheels: The Ultimate Challenge car design TV show

Remember when you were little and all your dreams could be replicated on a Hot Wheels track?

With every loop and jaw-clenching turn, and thousands of different models to collect, the possibilities were endless.

Well Hot Wheels and NBC have given a local Forked River man the chance to relive that nostalgic sense of wonder.

All-new TV show "Hot Wheels: The Ultimate Challenge" aired its first episode at 10 p.m., May 30 on NBC (and Peacock the next day), featuring New Jersey local "Jerzey" Jim Farrell, 58, against Houston-native, 24-year-old Jadejha Edwards, according to Jersey Shore Online.

According to NBC, the show gives lucky car Superfans the opportunity to take an ordinary, life-sized vehicle and revamp it to a completely epic creation in their own vision. The TV set is modeled after a real-life Hot Wheels track, equipped with two opposing garages in an area called "The Chrome Zone."

Working alongside a team of professional automotive technicians known as "The Car Pool," contestants manufacture their dream design based on personal experiences, memories and pop culture references.

The 58-year-old custom van builder went up against the 24-year-old cyber security engineer by replicating his first car — a 1969 Dodge Charger. He had originally rebuilt the Charger with his father, who was a custom car rebuilder in the 1950's according to Patch.

Jersey Shore Online reported the former Bayonne High School graduate has carried a photo of his beloved first car in his wallet since 1981. With it, carries fond memories of bonding with his father, picking up girls, driving to prom and graduation, and drag racing as a teen.

Farrell eventually got into an accident with the vehicle, wrecking it, but thankfully a phone call that came last December, followed by filming in London in February, enabled him to rebuild it, as per Jersey Shore Online.

The only difference being, this version could pop a wheelie, a dream Farrell always had for the car. Also, he decided to move the engine from its original position in the front, to install a Hemi motor in the rear.

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This impressed host (former Top Gear host and NASCAR features reporter) Rutledge Wood, along with Ford Motor Company's Dalal Elsheikh, and car influencer Hertrech “Hert” Eugene Jr. -- whose final judgements earned Farrell the $25,000 prize.

His win has propelled him into local stardom, from being asked to make celebrity appearances at local events — like the Family Ministries at Calvary Chapel Gloucester County's "Family Fun Day Car-nival" — to getting visits from local fans at his personal garage.

He now has a chance at the $50,000 finale prize, and having his winning vehicle be immortalized as an official Hot Wheels model.

In an NBC report, Corie Henson, EVP of unscripted programming for NBC Universal TV and Streaming, said Hot Wheels: The Ultimate Challenge is "larger-than-life family viewing with edge and humor" that allows contestants "a space for imaginations to run free."

The show airs live every Tuesday at 10 p.m. on NBC, and the next day on Peacock.

Gabriela L. Laracca joined the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey in 2021 and eagerly brings her passion for cuisine and culture to our readers. Send restaurant tips to glaracca@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Hot Wheels Ultimate Challenge: Forked River man heading to finale