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Goodguys Mid-Western Nationals - Inside The CircleTradition Continues At The Goodguys Mid-Western Nationals From the April, 2011 issue of Street Rodder By Tim Bernsau
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As you can tell from some of these photos, the Goodguys Mid-Western Nationals is held in the expansive infield of an oval track. The Kansas Speedway is home to various NASCAR races and, once a year, to the Goodguys Mid-Western Nationals. It's hard to get lost in the middle of a racetrack, but pack that place with 2,000 rods and customs, muscle cars, and trucks, add an assortment of special car corrals, extensive vendor displays, and an AutoCross, and at the end of three perfect days you realize you've been walking around in a circle and still haven't seen everything there is to see. There were other ways to win... There were other ways to win besides the show awards. The Street Challenge AutoCross is a popular component of many Goodguys shows. Street machines tend to dominate but the separate Street Rod class attracts earlier cars. The rods may not be as quick through the cones, but a few are, and all of them put on a great show. As you can also tell, this event is loaded with traditional hot rods. We were impressed by the number of early roadsters, coupes, and sedans built in a nostalgic style. We found a lot of newly finished projects as well as a lot of perennial favorites. From them all, we selected 10 additions to our 2010 Painless Performance Products Top 100 list. In addition, CLASSIC TRUCKS magazine gave away Finest 5 awards from the vast assortment of pickups. Dave Lane of Fast Lane Rod Shop hosted a special corral on Saturday to find his Builder's Choice picks. As always, the Goodguys reps stayed busy picking more than 100 additional awards. Thanks central state enthusiasts for bringing your rods and customs to the Mid-Western Nationals to show 'em off inside the circle.  We can't argue with the selection...  We can't argue with the selection of Russ Hess' '32 roadster for the Magnum Axle Real Hot Rod award. Hess' shaved Deuce highboy wears '40 Ford green paint and an original '51 Cadillac air cleaner on the 350 small-block.  This silver metallic slammed...  This silver metallic slammed sled started life as a '51 Ford business coupe. The winner of the Chopped & Dropped award has also been shaved and smoothed and nosed and decked. Owner Bill Patton of Leavenworth, KS, got help from his brother, Michael.  Linda Jackson knows it's more...  Linda Jackson knows it's more fun to drive a roadster than park it. Her son, Rusty, operates Odd Rod Creations in Carl Junction, MO, and built the screaming green Deuce with a Street & Performance 5.7L Hemi engine for go-power.  Paul Brase started with a...  Paul Brase started with a bare cab and ended up with this sweet '34 pickup. A Grant distributor with dual coils fires the Chevy 350 (the Ford ovals on the valve covers are add-ons). At the event, the almost-finished pickup had 7 miles on the odometer.  E.H. "Rooty" Root usually...  E.H. "Rooty" Root usually runs slicks or dirt track meats on his '25 T, but mounted these tires to run the 302-powered track roadster in the Street Challenge AutoCross. He also drag races the car. Rooty was a drag racer in the old days and was at the last race at Santa Ana Drag Strip in 1959.  Another time capsule '32 was...  Another time capsule '32 was Jimmy and Jo Houston's coupe, powered by a '50 Merc flathead with a single 94 carb. The Ford Winterleaf brown and the straw color on the '36-37 wheels are both early Ford colors, contributing to the Period Perfect award won at the event.  Here's another unusual Chevy...  Here's another unusual Chevy hauler. Russell Lane's '57 Suburban, packed with an LS7 was built at the Roadster Shop. It won a CLASSIC TRUCKS magazine's Finest 5 award and was a finalist in Goodguys' Truck of the Year contest.  Everyone loves Gassers (or...  Everyone loves Gassers (or should anyway) and John Sinfellow's '41 Willys is one of the reasons why. With that front tank and straight axle to the 10-spoke front rims and a 427 big-block for power, the only thing missing is a flagman. Hoosier tires pack the rear wheelwells.  Reminiscent of the look of...  Reminiscent of the look of the Model T trend of the early '70s, this '23 is equipped with a dressed-up small-block and Powerglide. Notice the polished 'rails and white tuck 'n' roll. Anne Lemke of Grafton, WI, earned the Terrific T prize.  With its blown 330 DeSoto...  With its blown 330 DeSoto Hemi, stance, Radirs and whitewalls, and elaborate interior, Keith Bright's wild '31 Chrysler looks like a Hot Wheels car. Sure enough, a Hot Wheels version was made. Mattel designer Larry Wood even autographed the dash of the sedan.  We've seen Jim Landsparger's...  We've seen Jim Landsparger's '30 coupe all over the place and still can't get enough. With a flattie with dual deuces, cheater slicks, red and white interior, front hairpins, rear split wishbones, and more, this Model A is a beaut.  Greg and Lana Mortland drove...  Greg and Lana Mortland drove their '32 Ford from East Alton, IL. The roadster, finished in black from the sheetmetal to the steelies, has been all over the country-and never on a trailer. The old-time components added up to a Timeless Traditional award here.  G.W. Gillman's long and low...  G.W. Gillman's long and low '28 Ford is pulled by a 241 Dodge Red Ram Hemi with an Offy intake and dual Strombergs tied to a six-speed transmission. The sport coupe body was chopped 4 inches and sectioned 3. An air tank from a B52 was modified to hold 13-1/2 gallons of gas.  Goodguys gave a Rodders Rep...  Goodguys gave a Rodders Rep award to this beautiful '31 five-window highboy coupe, rolling on dirt track tires. The 350 Chevy engine is topped with triple Rochester two-jet carbs and Olds Rocket valve covers painted beige to match the monochrome paintjob.  After watching the Gassers...  After watching the Gassers run at Mo-Kan Dragway, Butch Manning knew he needed one. His green '56 Chevy is an original car with the "old stuff", including the original interior. With a 302 DZ block race engine and Muncie four-speed, it runs 12s right now.  Well-known builder Dave Lane...  Well-known builder Dave Lane chose 10 deserving cars for Pro's Pick awards, including Melody Freeman's incredible '34 Chevy coupe, from Jonesboro, AR. Fit and finish and the mirror finish of the dark cinnamon paint are probably two reasons why.  Snow-white scallops complement...  Snow-white scallops complement the "distressed" two-tone paint on George Austin's '63 Bel Air wagon, and a closer look reveals a lot of well-done details. Red metalflake paint highlights the interior. This street cruiser sits on RideTech suspension components, with a 283 for power.  In case you thought all the...  In case you thought all the early coupes were Ford highboys, take a look at Bub Lovelady's eye-catching full-fendered '31 Chevy. A Cadillac air cleaner sits on top of the 350, and the interior features off white tuck 'n' roll, and a banjo wheel on a tilt column.
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