The rumble of engines filled the Bulloch County Agricultural Arena on Saturday, August 16, as the Statesboro Showdown rolled into town.
Organized by Jake Lmbs and his friend Xavier Mickens, better known by more than 200,000 subscribers on YouTube as Poppin’ Clutches, the event marked the latest stop for their Outlaw Culture brand, a movement built to showcase squatted truck culture in a positive and family-friendly light.
Fans and drivers traveled from across the Southeast and as far as Virginia and Texas to show off their custom rides during syllabus weekend at Georgia Southern University.
More than 100 VIP passes sold out online in advance, with a steady stream of trucks and spectators continuing to line up at the gate throughout the day.
Unlike typical parking-lot meets, the Statesboro Showdown emphasized organization, safety, and creativity. More than 60 one-of-a-kind awards were crafted for participants, celebrating the artistry and work that goes into building custom trucks.
“This isn’t about causing chaos,” Jake said. “We just wanted to bring the organized style shows, the nice shows, and the nicer squatted trucks together. It’s about showing off your work and enjoying the culture in a good way.”
Xavier, who has built a large following through his Poppin’ Clutches YouTube and Instagram channels, agreed. “The squatted truck game has had a bad rap in the past. But when people come out here, they see good vibes, good people. We’ve got security officers, we clean up our trash, and we make sure families and kids can enjoy themselves.”
The event also served as a much-needed activity for local teens and college students looking for something different to do in Statesboro.
“There’s not much organized for older teenagers who aren’t 21,” Jake explained. “There’s a great nightlife here, but beyond that, options are limited. When I first toured Georgia Southern, I saw a truck meet and thought Statesboro had a truck culture. But when I got here, there wasn’t anything like it. That’s why we wanted to bring life back here.”
“This is exactly what Bulloch County needs,” Jake said. “As long as they’ll have us, we’ll keep coming back.”
At just 20 and 27 years old, Jake and Xavier are balancing school, business, and event management, but both are committed to growing Outlaw Culture into a national movement of respectful, community-minded truck shows.
