Good Guys Rod &
Custom Spring Nationals
Pomona, California, 3-5 April 1998
by Dave Parker
Hot Rods at the California Speedway--Members of Good Guys were provided the opportunity to open up their cars on the Speedway. Two laps were allowed. All participants were drilled in track regulations by the California Speedway staff and by the host club " Street Rods Forever."
The cars were led by the pace car in groups of twenty thru the "in gate." Two columns of ten cars were led out onto the track. Racing the California Speedway in your hot rod... what a thrill! With only two laps allowed and jammed behind the pace car, it wasn't in the cards to drop the hammer and see what your hot rod could really do. But just the same, everyone who participated had a fine time.
Myke Wingett, driver and owner of a light blue and white '51 "Phantom Woody Wagon" (at the far right in the photo above) who's an avid fan of Indy Racing and has toured the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, found himself on the track of the California Speedway, calling his wife on his cellphone and querying her with, "Guess where I am, and what I'm doing." Myke also related that he went up on the high side while on one of the banked curves, then dropped down and passed a couple of his friends. He was delighted to have been provided the opportunity to run the California Speedway in his own car. After everyone negotiated the track, each was presented with a dash plaque commemorating the event.
Good Guys Spring Nationals--While some of the drivers were blowing it out at the California Speedway, a hundred or so vendors were setting up their automotive-related booths. On Saturday morning there was a throng of enthusiasts gathered at our "Street Rod Creations" booth, as folks paused to examine the 400+ arrayed photographs that I'd shot at the track the previous day, looking for photos I'd shot of their cars.
"Hot Rod Alley" displayed their "Racing Collectibles" and large selection of T-shirts. Because of the rainy weather on Saturday, much of the crowd wisely remained indoors where they browsed the vendors' booths and inspected the hot rods, midget racers and classics.
Grand Opening of the NHRA Museum--The grand opening of the NHRA Racing Museum went off without a hitch. On hand you could find legends such as Don Gartlits and Tommy Ivo, both signing autographs. Art Chrisman had 3 of his cars on display.
Good Guys Winners Circle - in the crowd of cars and people you could find Steve Anderson, editor of "Good Guys Gazette."
Actor Kurt Russell was also among the showgoers, eyeballing
the dazzling cars in the winners' circle. This '32 beauty
won the Mary Kaye Cosmetics award (just kidding).
This Boyd's for you!
John Kikes' black '38 Chevy (above) was awarded "Boyd's Pick."
Mike & Jo Sweeney (of Orange, California), quintessential streetrodders, got the "Best Bitchin' Car" trophy for their John Buttera-built, Root Beer Brown '26 Ford Tudor. You may have read Mike's white-knuckler autobiography, "My Secret Life as a Closet Liberal Democrat in Conservative Orange County." If they designated a "Best Bitchin' Couple" award, Mike & Jo would win that one hands down...
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Dave Parker is a familiar fixture at west coast street rod events (he prefers to refer to himself as "a photographer figure"). That's Dave on the left in a shot taken at his "Street Rod Creations" booth at the Good Guy's show. You can check out more of Dave's marvelous accomplishments at his Street Rod Creations website.
Dave will be a regular contributing writer/photographer on the StreetRodCountry website, providing you with (almost) up-to-the-minute coverage of major shows. When you encounter Dave at a show, don't be shy: if you've got a piece of automotive iron (or fiberglass) that you're particularly proud of, let Dave know about it! Remember, photographing cars is what he does, and he loves it! Who knows? Your car may become Dave's next "Car of the Month" photo feature! |
