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After a five-week break, Goodguys Rod & Custom Association got back into the swing of things by launching their “Speedway Season” down at Texas Motor Speedway, regarded as the track with no limits, just outside Ft Worth, Texas.
The 22nd Lone Star Nationals, one of two super-speedway events this fall–the other being the 21st Southeastern Nationals which takes place on October 24th through the 26th at the Charlotte Motor Speedway–was an eclectic mix of well over 2,500 ’72 and earlier show cars. From traditional hot rods and updated street rods to bold muscle, tens of thousands of appreciative revelers, the industry’s hottest builders and vendors, and even some cowboys showed up for the weekend!
That world famous blazin’ Texas sun blanketed the track with picture-perfect weather all three days and brought out the best cars in the southwest, including the hearty bunch of road warriors who comprised the Goodguys Hall of Fame Road Tour. Be sure to check out Rod Authority’s coverage of their stop at Pinkee’s Hot Rods in Colorado just prior to arriving at the show! The Lone Star Nationals was their final destination after 2,400 miles. Now that’s what we call putting your classic to the test.
Vintage hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and tricked out trucks 1972 & older came from more than 31 states and Canada to the party with fellow enthusiasts. The scene was spectacular as droves of gorgeous rides blanketed the Speedway infield in a kaleidoscope of chrome and color.
Kenny Davis, the man behind Kenny Davis Hot Rods in Rogers, Arkansas, and builder of several Goodguys Top 12 Cars of the Year winners, had his hands full picking the event’s Top 10, otherwise known as the Builder’s Choice awards.
As usual he came through and picked a dazzling array of machines. He was able to muster up a great mix of early hot rods, mid 50s classics, gnarly 60s muscle, and some killer pick’em up trucks.
When it was over, Miguel Rodriguez and Jose Dones’ ’69 Mustang was chosen as the Muscle Machine of the Year finalist, Erin Steinbrecher’s ’67 Chevy C10 as the Truck of the Year-Late finalist, Jason McPike’s radical ‘47 Hudson as the Truck of the Year-Early finalist, and Ken Taylor’s pristine ’66 Ford Galaxie as the Muscle Car of the Year finalist. Top Left: Erin Steinbrecher’s ’67 Chevy C10. Top Right: Jason McPike’s radical ‘47 Hudson. Bottom Left: Jose Dones’ ’69 Mustang. Bottom Right: Ken Taylor’s pristine ’66 Ford Galaxie
The Goodguys Top 12 awards are the highest honor available from the association. Each year, all of the Top 12 award winners, picked throughout the season, are displayed together as a group at the upcoming 17th Southwest Nationals, November 14-16 at Westworld in Scottsdale, AZ. This event marks the season closer, and though it may be a melancholic time, you can bet that Goodguys is already hard at work planning for 2015.
As usual, the action was hot and heavy on track as the Texas-sized Goodguys autocross lived up to its Full-Throttle-Fun moniker. Well over 200 cars lined up all three days to race the clock and thunder around the cones.
Roger Burman’s stout little ’63 Dodge Dart got the Shootout win, automatically entering him for next month’s Goodguys autocross finals shootout in Scottsdale. Hard-charging Josh Leisinger took the Summit Racing ’64 Corvette to the pro-class win, Morgan Martin’s tire-terrorizing Model A won the hot rod class–nobody has more fun in a hot rod than this guy, third-generation Indy racer, Robbie Unser, took the street machine class in Speedway Motors’ ’65 Nova, and Bradon Carter won the truck division with his ‘72 Dodge D100.
Most Goodguys events feature a full-scale AutoCross so if you’re reading this wondering how you can run the cones and get in on the action, just register for an event and head out there! It’s free for all Goodguys event participants, provided your whip passes a basic tech inspection.
For those that needed the ultimate speed fix, Team Texas was along for the weekend to offer fans NASCAR style ride alongs. Usually, during Goodguys’ super speedway events, a ride-along program is offered giving thrill seekers a first-hand look at what today’s NASCAR guys and gals go through during a “normal day at the office.”
The one-and-a-half mile, 24-degree banked oval saw plenty of action all weekend in fact. In addition to the Team Texas business, event participants got their chance to run the track just like the big boys Saturday evening. They were provided with an experience that we’re sure will last a lifetime–the ear-to-ear grins told us everything that we needed to know.
Sunday’s action closed with the new Goodguys staple–All American Sunday. To give our readers who aren’t familiar with the special addition, it’s a Sunday-only program in which late model owners can drive in their new-age muscle cars and trucks to show right alongside the early iron. After all, while Goodguys is rooted in hot rod spirit, it is the total love for the automobile that has driven these folks since day one.
If you’ve never been to a Goodguys event at Texas Motor Speedway and you’re a real car nut, you really should add this one to your bucket list. Seeing a super speedway infield packed to the rafters with color, excitement, and acres of American iron is what American hot roddin’ is all about!
You’ll get your chance next fall, Oct 2-4, 2015, in case you’re already making your fall 2015 plans!
For a complete list and breakdown of the Goodguys 22nd Lone Star Nationals award winners click here. For complete AutoCross results click here. Be sure to check out the full gallery from the event courtesy of Goodguys Rod & Custom Association below!
Editor’s Note: Words & Photos courtesy of Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.
