Texas FFA teen’s 44-year-old John Deere wins Chevron contest

Chevron announced today that the Grand Champion winner of this year’s 27th annual Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition is Tyler Billings of Floresville, Texas, for restoring a 1980 John Deere 4440.

Teens across the United States competed in this STEM initiative last week in Indianapolis during the 2024 National FFA Convention and Expo.

The Chevron TRC is an initiative that inspires high school students to engage in hands-on learning while honing critical thinking, budgeting, time management, and collaboration skills. This program goes beyond the classroom to help students cultivate a deep understanding of engineering, mechanics, and the agricultural industry.

Here are the young people recognized in this year’s contest:

Grand Champion: Tyler Billings, Floresville, Texas — 1980 John Deere 4440

For his win, Billings was awarded $10,000 for first place as Grand Champion, and an additional $10,000 in cash and prizes were awarded across the other aforementioned contestants.

“This year was one of the strongest, most compelling competitions in Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition history,” said Walt M. Collier, Americas Commercial Sector Manager, Chevron. “We would like to thank our newest Grand Champion Tyler Billings and every teen who put the time, hard work, and commitment in to restoring our collective agricultural history. These builds take all year long, and you are breaking the stereotypes for an entire generation.”

Reserve Champion: Trey Schronk, Hillsboro, Texas — 1959 John Deere 730 Diesel

Third Place: Samantha Williams, Atascadero, California –- 1948 Ford 8N

• Cathy McCarty Hendrix Mentor of the Year: Austin Thorson, nominated by Benjamin Reed and Landon Rehberg, Delevan, Wisconsin
• Safety Award: Tyler Billings
• Best Presentation: Katie Bryan, Richlands, North Carolina –1950 John Deere Model A
• Best Photo: Garrett Mills, Mount Ulla, North Carolina — 1952 Oliver 66 Diesel
• Fan Favorite: Reiley Houtz, Paso Robles, California
• Fan Favorite Runner-Up: Katie Bryan

Each tractor restoration project was graded on the overall process, safety precautions, results, documentation, and their oral presentation. Judges are comprised of industry experts and former Chevron Tractor Restoration Competition champions with decades of hands-on experience and involvement in the industry.