# Lincoln team takes Chop Top Challenge title in wild cross-country rally  
**Published:** 2026-05-19T10:00:00.000Z  
**Source:** [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nebraskans-take-chop-topped-former-church-van-on-crazy-3500-mile-ride/)  
**AI-generated:** yes (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001)  
**Canonical:** https://lincolne.news/article/lincoln-team-takes-chop-top-challenge-title-in-wild-cross-country-rally

LINCOLN, Neb. — A trio of Nebraska adventurers piloting a topless former church van across 3,500 miles of American highways have claimed victory in an unusual annual competition where teams navigate converted vehicles with no roof or windshield, according to a report by the [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nebraskans-take-chop-topped-former-church-van-on-crazy-3500-mile-ride/).

Brad Sharp of Lincoln, along with teammates Austin Fricke and Tony Corbin, won the 2026 [Chop Top Challenge](https://www.choptopchallenge.com/), a four-day rally that ran from Chicago to New Orleans in late March. Their vehicle, dubbed Van-Tastic, was a Ford Econoline that had logged 130,000 miles serving the Salvation Army and a Lutheran church before Sharp purchased it at an auction lot for $600 and removed its top and windshield.

The Chop Top Challenge operates as a points-based scavenger hunt rather than a traditional race. Teams accumulate points by completing a series of quirky challenges across seven states, from photographing their vehicles at famous landmarks like Wrigley Field and Churchill Downs to more elaborate stunts. A burnout earns 200 points, mocking a Cybertruck brings 300 points, while getting a tattoo is worth 1,000 points.

Team Van-Tastic completed approximately 40 challenges during their journey, participated in nearly 400 available tasks and visited cultural sites including Little Richard's grave in Alabama and the KFC headquarters to pay respects to Col. Sanders. The team faced unpredictable Midwest spring weather, snow, rain and bone-chilling wind exposure — typical hazards that competitors address by wearing full-face helmets and cold-weather gear.

Sharp initially expressed modest expectations for his first time competing. "I had zero expectation of winning it," he told the Flatwater Free Press. "I was really just looking forward to the adventure." Yet as the team rolled toward New Orleans on the final morning, Sharp devised what the article describes as a "Hail Mary" strategy that helped secure their victory.

The [Chop Top Challenge](https://www.choptopchallenge.com/) began more than a decade ago as an impromptu spring break road trip when a Michigan schoolteacher and his brother drove an 1989 Honda CR-X without a roof or windshield to Miami. The event has since evolved into an annual tradition attracting teams who are drawn to the combination of shenanigans and camaraderie rather than material rewards. Winners receive novelty prizes — this year a WWE-style title belt — but competitors emphasize the journey and community spirit as the true appeal.

Sharp was already a veteran of similar adventure rallies through participation in the [Gambler 500](https://www.gambler500.com/), a country-focused variant of unconventional vehicle challenges. His experience with DIY automotive adventures made him an ideal candidate to organize Team Van-Tastic's cross-country expedition.

The Van-Tastic Ford featured practical and decorative modifications: a Jägermeister dispenser mounted to the floor, a disco ball overhead, and a custom roll cage built by Joel Wilgers that stiffened the chassis after the top was removed and provided additional safety measures. A cattle guard welded to the front was fashioned from metal bedframe material, according to photos accompanying the Flatwater Free Press report.

The 2026 event was the third annual Chop Top Challenge to follow the Chicago-to-New Orleans route, though the event has traveled different paths across previous years, from Las Vegas to Key West to Austin.

## Sources

- [Flatwater Free Press](https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nebraskans-take-chop-topped-former-church-van-on-crazy-3500-mile-ride/)
- [Official Chop Top Challenge website with rules and registration information](https://www.choptopchallenge.com/)

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This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from Flatwater Free Press, enriched with 3 web searches. The original source is available at https://flatwaterfreepress.org/nebraskans-take-chop-topped-former-church-van-on-crazy-3500-mile-ride/.