Attention in the Pits! Attention in the Pits!

Attention vintage drag racers and hot rodders at heart! The final vintage drag race of the 2010 season is just two short weeks away! The 3rd Nostalgia Nationals presented by Snap On takes over historic Beech Bend Raceway Park October 15-17 bringing over 1,500 rods, customs, classics, muscle cars and race cars! It’s show and go all in one giant event! Plus vendor exhibits, a swap meet & car corral and a chance to meet NHRA Funny Car stars Cruz and Tony Pedregon on Sunday the 17th!

A full lineup of vintage drag racing is on tap in 8 open eliminator classes as well as a heavy dose of exhibition action from the Nostalgia Super Stockers and Geezer Gassers!

If you’re a vintage drag racer and want to get in on the action, you can save $10 bucks off event registration by calling the office (925) 838-9876 now! Pre-registration ends this Friday, October 1st! Price is $75 for car & driver if you phone in by Friday. At event registration is $85.

If you’re a current Goodguys member, you can also register online. Online pre-event registration closes Friday as well. Click here to register if you’re a current member.

For a look at the race classes and payouts as well as the at-event racing schedule, click here

Don’t miss your last chance to smoke the tires this season!!!!

2010 Chicagoland Nationals MEGA Photo Gallery Now Online!

Check out 350+ official 2010 Chicagoland Nationals event photos taken by the Gazette crew!

MEGA Gallery » www.chicagolandnats.com

All photos available for purchase, download or gift printing!

2010 Mid-Western Nationals Event Photos Now Available!

Check out over 250+ event photos from the 2010 Mid-Western Nationals taken by the official Gazette crew.

www.midwesternnats.com

Texas Motor Speedway Hosts 18th Lone Star Nationals This Weekend

This coming weekend October 1st, 2nd and 3rd, the Goodguys 18th Lone Star Nationals rolls into the giant sized Texas Motor Speedway bringing over 2,000 rods, customs and classics through 1972 vintage. Plus vendor exhibits, a swap meet & cars 4 sale corral, Goodguys AutoCross, live nostalgia entertainment with the “Pushrods” and lots more fun for the entire family! NASCAR rental rides and a Saturday evening track cruise around the high banks of TMS are also included!

Don’t miss this Texas sized auto lover’s paradise! For a full lineup of weekend activities, past event photo galleries etc., click here:
http://www.lonestarnats.com

Event Hours
Friday, Oct 1st – 8am to 5pm
Saturday, Oct 2nd – 8am to 5pm
Sunday, Oct 3rd – 8am to 3pm
General Admission:
Adults $18
Kids (7-12) $6

Vehicle Registration:
At Event Weekend Fee: $75
At Event Sunday Only Fee: $40
Registration will be held at the DFW Marriott

Swap Meet & Car Corral:
$65 per space. Swap & Car Corral set up starts Thursday @ NOON. For more info on the swap meet click here: http://www.jeffjohnsonmotorsports.com

Project CleanAir ’55 Update!

Project CleanAir ’55, the emissions legal ’55 Chevy convertible Grand Prize Giveaway Car for the 2011 event season is making giant strides towards completion. The car, designed by Hermance Design, will make its grand debut at the Goodguys 2nd Spring Nationals March 11-13 next spring in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Rodger Lee and his team at Ironworks Speed & Kustom in Bakersfield, California have spearheaded the build and have been busy all summer mating the Experimetal ’55 convertible body to their beefy Tri-5 chassis. Ironworks has now finished the car’s initial phase of construction. It’s ready to head east where Kenny Davis Hotrods in Rogers, Arkansas will cover the body in bright red PPG paint.

Overall silhouette of Clean Air ’55 rolling on Intro 19 & 20 inch Intro wheels. The killer stance is courtesy of the Ironworks Tri 5 chassis.

“This car will be a high quality, slicked up cruiser,” Lee said smiling. “These Experimetal ‘55’s are easy to make look good. We’ve been going full steam ahead throughout the summer. We mini tubbed the body a smidge to allow for the 10-inch Intro wheels on a 295 tire as well as installed the big brake kit from Wilwood. We’ve fabricated some cool stuff and smoothed out the dash as well. It’s gonna look really good when it’s done.

The heart of Clean Air ’55 is the emissions legal 433 horsepower LS 3 E-Rod motor.

The Ironworks team hand-fabricated the“old school” looking air cleaner. Inside the engine compartment you’ll notice the Wilwood Master Cylinder, Vintage Air Front Runner Bracket System and Ring Bros Hood Hinges.

The stock dash was reworked a little. Notice the passenger side hump was removed for a smoother, cleaner contour. The Recovery Room will cover the dash in leather over the winter

The big brake kit from Wilwood will stop CleanAir ’55 on a dime

The Rick’s Hot Rod Shop fuel tank and Flowmaster mufflers are hung and in place. Next step will be to build the exhaust with Stainless Works U-bends.

For a closer look at the build, visit this link:
http://www.ironworksspeedandkustom.com

Looking Ahead – Street Rod HQ to Present Terrific 12 at Season Finale in Scottsdale!

All 2010 Terrific 12 award winners will appear together at the season-ending 13th Southwest Nationals, November 19, 20 & 21 at Westworld in Scottsdale, Arizona courtesy of our friends at Street Rod Headquarters! The Vancouver, Washington based street rods parts supplier is the official sponsor of the Terrific 12 display this fall in Scottsdale. Per tradition, all 12 cars will be displayed together as one group throughout the weekend. They will also be receiving their custom wrapped Snap On toolboxes to display alongside their vehicles!

• Check out this impressive lineup of the world’s finest rods, customs, trucks, muscle cars and street machines!
• Classic Instruments Street Rod of the Year – Jerry Magnuson, Ventura, CA – ’32 Muroc Roadster
• Ridetech Street Machine of the Year – Karen Leisinger, Wall Lake, SD – 1967 Camaro
• Gearstar Hot Rod of the Year – Floyd Williams, Austin, TX 1932 Ford Roadster
• Hushpower America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod – Jerry Magnuson, Ventura, CA – ’32 Muroc Roadster
• Street Rod d’Elegance – Jerry Magnuson, Ventura, CA – ’32 Muroc Roadster
• West Coast Custom of the Year – James Hetfield, San Francisco, CA 1936 Auburn
• Vintage Air Custom Rod of the Year – Winner to be announced Friday, October 8th on http://www.good-guys.com
• Street Rod HQ Truck of the Year (early) – Winner to be announced Friday, October 8th on http://www.good-guys.com
• LMC Truck of the Year (late) – Winner to be announced Friday, October 8th on http://www.good-guys.com
• Grundy Kustom of the Year – Winner to be announced Friday, November 6th on http://www.good-guys.com
• Hemming’s Muscle Machines Muscle Car of the Year – Winner to be announced Friday, October 15th on http://www.good-guys.com
• Detroit Speed Muscle Machine of the Year – Winner to be announced Friday, October 8th on http://www.good-guys.com

Call to Action! PA Bill Would Increase Fees for Street Rods

Our friends at SEMA are urging its members nationwide to contact members of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee to oppose Legislation H.B. 8A.

Under the bill, general passenger cars will face a $13 increase in their registration fee, while the one-time registration fee for antique, classic and collectible vehicles will go up by $27 (from $75 to $102) and the initial registration fee for street rods by $29 (from $20 to $51).
Additionally, each of these fees would be increased every year. Under Pennsylvania law, an antique motor vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle manufactured more than 25 years prior to the current year.”

A classic motor vehicle is defined as “a motor vehicle manufactured at least 15 years prior to the current year.”
Collectible motor vehicles are defined as “reconstructed or modified motor vehicles substantially modified from the manufacturer’s original specifications and appearance and maintained in a collectible condition.”

A street rod is “a motor vehicle, or a reproduction thereof, with a model year of 1948 or older which has been materially altered or modified by the removal, addition or substitution of essential parts and with a gross weight or registered gross weight of not more than 9,000 pounds.”
This legislation is unfair, according to SEMA, as these older cars are infrequently driven (about one-third the miles each year as a new vehicle) second or third vehicles and deserving of reduced registration fees.

For more information, or to contact members of the Pennsylvania House Appropriations Committee immediately by e-mail to request their opposition to H.B. 8A, CLICK HERE

2010 West Coast Nationals BIG Photogallery Now Online!

Check out 700+ official event photos of the Goodguys 2010 West Coast Nationals event. All photos are shot by the Goodguys Gazette crew.

The Big West Coast Nationals Gallery

You can also purchase, download or gift any of the photos right in the Gallery!

edregons to Serve as Grand Marshals of 3rd Nostalgia Nationals

KENOSHA, Wis. – September 21, 2010 – Cruz and Tony Pedregon will serve as grand marshals of the third annual Goodguys Nostalgia Nationals Oct. 15-17 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Ky. The event features a rod & custom car show with over 2,000 1972 & earlier vehicles on display along with a vintage drag race, swap meet and much more.

Snap-on is a proud sponsor of the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association and we’re also the presenting sponsor of the Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing series so it is only natural that Cruz and Tony would serve as grand marshals of the Nostalgia Nationals,” said Alicia Smales, vice president of marketing for Snap-on Tools. “Not only are Cruz and Tony two NHRA legends, but they also own their own nostalgia cars. They plan to bring out their dad’s “Flamin’ Frank” Fiat coupe and fire it up on Sunday. It should be a fun weekend for everyone.”

Goodguys has been the leading promoter of vintage style drag racing competition since their first such vintage drag race, held in April of 1989 at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California. Today Goodguys holds three vintage drag racing events at tracks in the Midwest including the Nostalgia Nationals in Bowling Green. The events feature vintage top fuel dragsters and funny cars, gassers and super stockers and hundreds of popular drag machines in vintage trim.

“Some of the coolest cars in the world are on display every week at the Goodguys car shows so we thought this was a great venue to show people who are serious about their cars some serious tools,” said Smales. “Our franchisees will have their vans on site so people can check out the latest innovative tools and productivity solutions that Snap-on has to offer.”

To learn more about Snap-on tools and its racing program, visit http://www.snapon.com/racing. For a closer look at the Goodguys 3rd Nostalgia Nationals visit www.nostalgianats.com.

About Snap-on Tools
Snap-on Tools is a subsidiary of Snap-on Incorporated, a leading global innovator, manufacturer and marketer of tools, diagnostics and equipment solutions for professional users. Product lines include hand and power tools, tool storage, diagnostics software, information and management systems, shop equipment and other solutions which are used by technicians and professionals at vehicle dealerships and repair centers and in the marine, powersports and aviation industries. Snap-on Tools is one of the largest non-food franchise companies in the world, selling its products through more than 4,500 franchisees worldwide and through company-direct sales and over the Internet. Snap-on Incorporated, which was founded in 1920, is a $2.4 billion, S&P 500 company located in Kenosha, Wis. with operations throughout the world. For additional information, visit http://www.snapon.com.

6th Great American Nationals on Tap in Pocono this weekend!

It’s shaping up to be a spectacular weekend here in the Pocono’s as the 6th Great American Nationals will be held this Friday, Saturday and Sunday Sept. 24, 25 & 26 at Pocono Raceway.

The Great American Nationals will be staged throughout the entire acreage of Pocono Raceway including portions of the infield, garage area, infield paddock as well as the grassy infield road course. The prime parking for this year’s event will be held right at the start finish line! Event features include the giant show & shine with over 2,000 ’72 & earlier rods, customs & classics, a vendor midway, Autocross, swap meet & cars for sale corral, Nascar rides, a Saturday evening track cruise around the famed “Tricky Triangle” (featuring unlimited cruising!), live entertainment with “Crimson Tears” and lots more family fun!

For rodders, the action gets started Thursday with a HOT ROD CRUISE from Noon-5pm (Meet at Main Gate on RT. 115) followed by the 5pm KICK OFF PARTY at at Split Rock Resort with music and fun! BBQ dinner will be available!

Bring the whole family out to the Pocono’s this weekend for the Goodguys 6th Great American Nationals!
Event Hours:
Friday 8-5
Saturday 8-5
Sunday 8-3

Tickets:
General Admission:
Adults: $18
Kids 7-12 $6

Not registered yet? No problem! You can register right at the event. Simply roll up in your pre-’73 ride and register at the gate. Event registration gets under way Thursday 9/23 at 10am.
Event Registration fees:
Weekend registration: $75 includes car and two people
Sunday only registration – $40 includes the car and two people
Swap Meet Info:
Swap Meet and car corral fee is $55 at the gate. Swap Meet and car corral set up begins Thursday at noon.

For a complete look at this weekend’s 6th Great American Nationals including hotel and facility info, FAQ and directions visit
http://www.greatamericannats.com

Goodguys Trendsetters to Star in Exclusive SEMA Autograph Session

The “who’s who” of hot rod, custom and street machine builders will be stopping by the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association booth at this year’s SEMA Show which runs November 2-5 at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

A special autograph session with former “Goodguys Trendsetter” award winners will take place in the Goodguys booth (# 22775) on Street Rod Alley Wednesday, November 3rd from 10am to NOON. The all-star cast of builders including Troy Trepanier, Alan Johnson, Eric Peratt, Tim Strange, Dave Lane, Zane Cullen, Jesse Greening, Dean Livermore, Troy Ladd, J.F. Launier and Phil & Jeremy Gerber will be signing a special commemorative poster made exclusively for the special autograph session. Goodguys will announce the 2010 Trendsetter at the HRIA Banquet later that evening.

It’s the first time a group of former Trendsetter award winners have been gathered together. A total of 12 rising young stars have received the Trendsetter award and 11 of the 12 will be on hand in Las Vegas. “It will be a very special occasion hosting these all star builders and Trendsetters,” said Goodguys President Marc Meadors. “When you stop to think of the impact these guys have had on our industry and the cars they’ve turned out over the years it’s simply awe inspiring. Through their vision and craftsmanship, they have shaped the future of our industry. I know I’m getting in line to get my signed poster!”

The Goodguys Trendsetter award is presented annually at SEMA to rising young talents in the realm of rod, custom and street machine craftsmanship. First awarded in 1998, past recipients include Chip Foose (Foose Design), Troy Trepanier (Rad Rides by Troy), Alan Johnson (Johnson’s Hot Rod Shop), Eric Peratt (Pinkee’s Rod Shop), Tim Strange (Strange Motion), Dave Lane (Fast Lane Rod Shop), Zane Cullen (Cotati Speed Shop), Dean Livermore (Hot Rods By Dean), Jesse Greening (Greening Auto Compnay), Dean Livermore (Hot Rods by Dean), Troy Ladd (Hollywood Hot Rods) ,J.F. Launier (JF Kustoms) and Phil & Jeremy Gerber (Roadster Shop).

Friday Night Drags on Tap at Route 66 Raceway!

An exciting evening of tire smokin’ vintage drag racing action is on tap this Friday night, September 17th at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet – just across the street from Chicagoland Speedway – site of this weekend’s 4th PEAK Chicagoland Nationals!

The evening under the lights will feature five open eliminator classes as well as a thrilling exhibition program including 200mph Pro Mods from the “Chicago Wise Guys” as well as a four-car Nostalgia Pro Stock exhibition. It’s a great way to spend the evening and if you’re a Chicagoland Nationals event participant, pick up your $15 ticket at registration!

Goodguys Friday Night Drags
Friday, September 17th
Route 66 Raceway

Event Hours:
Gates Open @ 2pm
Qualifying @ 4pm
Eliminations @ 7pm
Prices:
General Admission: $20
*Special $15 advance ticket available for 4th PEAK Chicagoland Nationals participants. Tickets available @ event registration.
Race Fee: $35 (includes car & driver)
Race Classes
*All racing entries must pass tech inspection
Hot Rod – 1954 & Earlier (*No NOS, No electronics*)
Hot Rod I: 7.50 to 11.99
Hot Rod II: 12 seconds & up
Street Machine – 1955 thru 1972 (*No NOS, No electronics*)
Street Machine I: 7.50 to 11.99
Street Machine II: 12 seconds & up
Comp – 1972 & earlier cars only (NOS OK, Electronics OK)
Comp I: 7.50 seconds & up

For Tech inquiries call Jeff Norton: (925) 895-7878

Learn More About Goodguys Vintage Drag Racing at www.ggvintagedragracing.com

Roadster Shop’s Phil & Jeremy Gerber Prepare for Big Weekend in Joliet!

Two of the brightest young stars in hot rodding will be on hand this weekend at the 4th PEAK Chicagoland Nationals to select the coveted Builder’s Choice Picks! The Roadster Shop’s Phil & Jeremy Gerber will turn their keen eyes toward the events hottest cars by selecting ten of the events most sought after awards. As you can see from last year’s anodized billet aluminum statuette, the Gerber’s shop-built awards rival the cutting edge machines that roll out of their Mundelein, IL factory (www.roadstershop.com).

After a decorated run of building cutting edge hot rods and street machines, culminating in winning the Goodguys 2009 Ridetech Street Machine of the Year award with Barry Bloomquist’s “C1RS” ’61 Corvette roadster, The Gerber’s were announced as the Goodguys Trendsetter award winners at the 2009 SEMA Show.

They followed up their 2009 success with another trip to the podium in Columbus this year by taking their scratch built ’71 Dodge Challenger to the Top 5 for the 2010 Ridetech Street Machine of the Year.

How do you get your hot rod, custom, trick truck, muscle car or street machine considered for a Builder’s Choice pick in Joliet? It’s simple! Just make sure you’re parked in the Builder’s Choice special parking area this Saturday, September 18th from 8am-2pm.

For more on this weekend’s event, visit www.chicagolandnats.com

400+ Blue Suede Cruise Photos just posted!

Visit the official Goodguys Blue Suede Cruise website to view the 2010 “Big” Galley of event photos:

www.ggbluesuedecruise.com/photos/big-event-gallery

4th PEAK Chicagoland Nationals revs up this weekend in Joilet!

The Goodguys 4th PEAK Chicagoland Nationals rolls into Chicagoland Speedway this weekend bringing 2,000 rods, customs and classics through 1972 vintage, vendor exhibits, swap meet & car corral, an exciting Street Challenge AutoCross, Saturday evening track cruise around the Speedway, live nostalgia entertainment, track cruise and lots more fun for the entire family!

The popular Friday Night Drags program, featuring the 200mph “Chicago Wise Guys” Pro Mods will be held across the street at Route 66 Raceway! An entire evening of tire smoking nostalgia drags is on tap with the Pro Mods, Nostalgia Pro Stockers and more!

Highlighting the show & shine activity will be the popular “Builder’s Choice awards which will be hand picked by Chicago’s own Phil & Jeremy Gerber of the Roadster Shop. In addition to the Builder’s Choice awards Goodguys will be on the lookout for a finalist for the Muscle Car of the Year, Kustom of the Year as well as the Muscle Machine of the Year. Over 75 awards will be presented during the weekend.

The weekend gets off to a great start Thursday evening, September 16th with a Kick Off Party at Hot Rod Chassis & Cycle in nearby Addison, Illinois. For directions, visit their website http://www.hotrodchassisandcycle.com. Maps will also be given out at Registration starting Thursday morning.

Make your plans now to join Goodguys in Joliet! See you there!
Event Hours:
Friday, Sept 17 – 8am to 5pm
Saturday, Sept. 18 – 8am to 5pm
Sunday, Sept. 19 – 8am to 3pm
General Admission:
Adults $18
Kids (7-12) $6
Friday Night Drags:
General admission: $20
Racer Fee: $35
Gates open at 2pm

Show & Shine Vehicle Registration (Registration is located at the Speedway):
At Event Weekend Fee: $75
At Event Sunday Only Fee: $40
Registration Hours:
Thursday, Sept. 16th Noon to 5pm
Friday, Sept. 17th 8am to 5pm
Saturday, Sept. 18th 7am to 3pm
Sunday, Sept. 19th 8am to NOON
For Swap Meet and Car Corral Information Click here

Visit www.chicagolandnats.com for complete event information

New Event Photo Galleries Are Now Live!

Check out the full galleries from the Pacific and Great Northwest Nationals Events!

Pacific Northwest Nats (350 photos):

http://pacificnorthwestnats.com/photos/purchase-photos

Great Northwest Nats (250+ photos):

http://greatnorthwestnats.com/photos/purchase-photos

Stay Warm While Looking Cool This Fall!

With fall in the air, it’s time to grab some stylish Goodguys goodies to keep you warm on those road trips in your ride! Goodguys has a fabulous line of high quality sweatshirts, hoodies, windbreakers and jackets to keep you warm while still looking cool! A new Goodguys goodie is the perfect gift for that hot rodder in your life and it’s also never too early to do some Christmas shopping! Three new products including two hoodies and a fresh new windbreaker have recently been added to the catalog.

Goodguys are proud to offer a full range of sizes from small to triple extra large. To get your fall Goodguys goodies, click here!

New Event Announced for 2011 Season!

Goodguys will stage the first “Spring Lone Star Nationals” at Texas Motor Speedway March 18, 19 & 20, 2011. The new national event will feature over 2,000 rods, customs, muscle cars and classics through 1972 vintage. Vendor exhibits, a swap meet & cars for sale corral, street challenge autocross, Goodgals Gallery, live entertainment, track cruise and NASCAR rides will also be featured.

This is the first time Goodguys will visit Texas in the spring. The Lone Star Nationals has grown into one of the most popular events on the annual Goodguys schedule. “We’re almost completely maxed out during the fall event at Texas Motor Speedway,” Goodguys VP of Event Operations Harry Daviess said. “It makes sense to add a second event in Texas. The region is starving for performance automotive events and activities. The TMS staff has been a pleasure to work with over the years and have gone the extra mile to make sure our event participants are comfortable and have fun. Things are bigger and indeed better in Texas!”

To pre-register your’72 or earlier vehicle call Goodguys (925) 838-9876 or visit http://www.good-guys.com. If you would like to reserve a vendor exhibit space, call the sales department (925) 218-9151.

The complete 2011 Goodguys event schedule will be available the last week of October.

Autocross Action Heats Up This Fall!

With the approach of the annual “Speedway Season” here at Goodguys (5 of the next 6 events on the schedule are held at Super Speedways) there’s lots to look forward to especially for those that like to Autocross!

Four classes of autocross competition will be offered in Kansas City, Joliet, Pocono, Texas and Charlotte including the Street Machine (‘55 & newer), Street Rod (‘54 & older), Trucks (all years through ‘72) and the Vendor class (all years through ’72). Each class winner will get a set of BF Goodrich tires as well as an award and a spot in the event winner’s circle!

The Goodguys Autocross is free to all Goodguys event participants. Your vehicle must pass a basic tech inspection to run. Autocross hours are Friday’s and Saturday’s 9am-Noon and 1-4pm. Take your ride out and see what’s she’ll do!

For more, visit www.streetchallengeautocross.com

Thanks to these sponsors for presenting the Goodguys Autocross! Ridetech, Afco, Optima Batteries, Gateway Classic Mustang, Gearstar, BF Goodrich, Baer Brakes, PEAK and the Roadster Shop!