Clint Bowyer Toyota Prius (2012)

Fresh from his third NASCAR Sprint Cup victory of the season on Saturday in Charlotte, Clint Bowyer finds himself neck-deep in another chase – to win the Toyota Racing Dream Build Challenge. Bowyer, currently fourth in the Sprint Cup Chase, is vying for victory in the vehicle-modification build competition and pinning his hopes on his “Tekked-Out Prius.” He and his team have turned the world’s most popular hybrid into a model of ultra-high-tech interactivity.

Bowyer, whose Prius was modified under his direction by RKM Performance Center in Mooresville, N.C., believes that taking the high technology for which the Prius is already famous to extremes will pave the way to victory.

The RKM Performance crew performed major electronic modifications on the Prius, starting with a 17-inch custom touch screen with built-in Windows 7 computer, two ASUS 12-inch tablets, and a side-view camera system that replaces the factory mirrors. A staggering 45 feet of fiber optic lighting and a thumping 16-speaker JBL audio system with two amplifiers and six crossovers brighten the mood inside of the sinister-looking black-on-black Prius.

The interior also received major luxury touches with custom leather and suede upholstery, imported German carpet and electric blue stitching accents.

As a racer, Bowyer wanted the Prius to have some attitude, so a set of Megan Racing springs and shocks bring the hi-tech hybrid down “lower than a Sprint Cup car,” according to Bowyer, while it rolls on a set of custom EVOD wheels.

The competition will be intense. Bowyer and his Prius are facing big efforts from fellow NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, who is creating a “Rowdy” edition Camry; NHRA Funny Car driver Alexis DeJoria and her modified Tundra Prerunner; and NHRA Top Fuel points leader Antron Brown, who is modifying a Sequoia for maximum speed.