Johnny Proffitt — Owner
IG: @hl_johnnyproffitt
Johnny is the heart of HL — a true master of all trades in the automotive world with a reputation for clean, reliable work and a no-shortcuts mindset. As the shop’s owner, he leads by example every day, setting the tone for quality, discipline, and hustle that the entire team follows. In addition to running HL Speed Shop, Johnny also co-owns Heat Lightning Imports, further expanding the shop’s deep knowledge of Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) imports and rare chassis.
When he’s not building, troubleshooting, or fine-tuning a customer’s car, Johnny’s either on the water, spending time with his family, or behind the wheel. A father of two girls, avid fisherman, and highly skilled drifter, he pilots his 650whp 2JZ-GTE GS300 with precision and style. That same balance of patience, control, and technical understanding carries into everything he does — whether he’s building a custom wire harness, fabricating an exhaust, dialing in suspension, or assembling an engine. If Johnny puts his mind to it, there’s very little he can’t tackle.
His personal fleet is a perfect reflection of his passion and versatility: a 2JZ-GE–swapped first-gen 4Runner crawler, a 20V 4AGE-swapped AE86 coupe, a 2JZ-GTE CD-converted GS300, an ’81 Toyota pickup, and an S13 coupe cruiser currently in the works.
Daniel Sands — Lead Mechanic
IG: @SHT_SLED
Daniel is our go-to problem solver in the shop — the guy who keeps complex builds moving forward and engines performing at their absolute best. As our Lead Mechanic, he combines deep technical knowledge with sharp diagnostic instincts and creative problem-solving. Whether he’s fine-tuning a high-power setup or optimizing a build on the spot, Daniel ensures every project that leaves our shop meets the highest standards.
His experience behind the wheel is just as valuable as his skill under the hood. Daniel has drifted several Nissan chassis over the years, mainly S-chassis, giving him a real-world understanding of how these cars behave under stress and how to build them to last. These days, his current drift car is a 350Z — a platform he knows inside and out. He also owns a beautiful Nissan Laurel, showcasing his appreciation for clean, timeless Japanese builds.
Outside the shop, Daniel is always in motion. When he’s not drifting, you’ll probably find him skating, working on one of his personal cars, or helping friends dial in their setups. That same energy, enthusiasm, and precision he brings to the track shows up in every job he touches, which is why customers and coworkers alike rely on him day in and day out.
Auston Cain — Lead Fabricator/Co-owner
IG: @austoncain
Auston is our master fabricator, and precision truly defines his work. Expertly skilled in welding everything from mild steel to aluminum to titanium, he lays nothing but clean, consistent dimes no matter the material. Whether it’s custom brackets, intricate intercooler piping, one-off exhausts, precision machining, or full custom product design and manufacturing, Auston has the knowledge, attention to detail, and technical understanding to bring any vision to life. His work doesn’t just meet standards — it sets them, combining flawless craftsmanship with real-world functionality.
What makes Auston indispensable to the team is the blend of creativity, problem-solving, and hands-on experience he brings to every project. If there’s a tough part to make or a custom solution needed, he’s the guy everyone turns to.
Auston’s passion for high-performance machines goes far beyond the shop walls. With a background in rally racing, he has a deep understanding of vehicle dynamics, durability, and performance under extreme conditions. He daily drives a RHD JZS151 Crown with a CD swap and drifts an SR20-powered S13 coupe, carrying that same energy and precision from the street, track, and rally stage into every build he touches. His time behind the wheel directly informs his fabrication work, ensuring every piece is not only strong — but purpose-built for how it will actually perform.
Luke Bennett — Tech
IG: @static.luke
Luke is the youngest member of the team, but don’t let his age fool you — he’s already a highly skilled mechanic with a sharp eye for detail. A natural learner, Luke absorbs knowledge from everyone around the shop and quickly turns it into hands-on expertise, helping to keep complex builds on track and projects running smoothly. His curiosity, work ethic, and dedication make him a standout member of the HL team, capable of tackling challenging tasks with confidence.
On the track, Luke truly shines as a skilled drift driver, piloting his VVTI 1J JZS147 with a ZF transmission with precision, control, and style. His understanding of car dynamics from behind the wheel complements his mechanical skills, allowing him to tune and adjust builds with a driver’s perspective. Luke’s combination of youthful energy, technical skill, and passion for drifting brings a unique spark to the shop, making him an integral part of every project and a rising talent in the HL team.
Zayd Khan “Z” — Sales / Social Media
IG: @gaijin2u
Zayd brings a long-standing passion for Japanese cars to the HL team, pairing it with professional sales expertise and a natural talent for connecting with people. Before joining HL, he made a name for himself in the mobile electronics industry, where he was recognized as one of the top 20 sales professionals for two years in a row by the Mobile Electronics Industry Awards. His car show background has given him an almost OCD-like obsession with the details that make each build unique. This attention to detail, combined with his technical knowledge and customer-focused experience, allows Zayd to bridge the gap between high-performance builds and the enthusiasts who appreciate them.
Zayd’s current fleet reflects his love for all aspects of Japanese car culture: an SR20-powered S13 coupe street/drift/show car, a 400hp VVTI 1JZ-GTE with a CD manual swap fully outfitted with HLSS suspension parts, a soon-to-be wide-body bagged BRZ daily driver, and a wide-body L28-T S30 in the works. With his knowledge, charisma, and passion for Japanese cars, Zayd plays a vital role in connecting HL to the community, both in the garage and on the track, sharing his expertise with fellow enthusiasts.
Amanda Proffitt –Secretary/co owner
IG @amandathai 
Amanda is the heartbeat of the shop, expertly keeping operations running smoothly behind the scenes. From managing schedules and coordinating shipments to handling customer inquiries with a warm, professional touch, she ensures the team can focus on building and tuning high-performance vehicles. Known affectionately as the “shop mom,” Amanda keeps morale high, makes sure everyone stays fueled and organized, and adds a personal touch to every interaction. Her attention to detail, unwavering support, and positive energy make her an indispensable part of the Heat Lightning Speed Shop family.
This isn’t just what we do — it’s who we are. Heat Lightning Speed Shop was built by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts. Every member of our team brings their own skills, experience, and an obsession with doing things the right way. From performance builds and fabrication to fine details that often go unnoticed, we take pride in creating cars that are thoughtfully built, purpose-driven, and executed to a high standard.
We don’t believe in shortcuts or cookie-cutter solutions. Each project is treated as a collaboration, with performance, reliability, and individuality at the forefront. The result is builds that don’t just perform — they last, they stand out, and they reflect the passion that drives everything we do at HL Speed Shop.
