Sunday morning it was time to head down the highway. Our drivers’ meeting was at 8 a.m. and our destination for the afternoon was the Kansas Speedway. The bright yellow Speedway pickup was shined up and ready to go. Joe McCollough and photographer Jason Lubkin from Speedway Motors were riding in the Week to Wicked Speedway Anniversary 1952 Chevy and Zack Raddatz from Speedway Motors was driving the 1955 Chevy sedan delivery support truck. Videographer Ryan Foss was riding with me in our 1957 Chevy convertible. Along the way we shot footage of the group of cars traveling to Kansas City. We arrived at the track at 1 p.m. We had a great tour of the entire complex, from the spotter’s stand to the president’s luxury suite.
While we were checking out the facility down on the track folks were taking part in the Richard Petty Experience. Dave Cahal, who was the trail boss from California to Lincoln signed up and did the entire package that included actually driving a race car. Others in our group decided to get a thrill by riding along as a passenger in a car driven by one of the professional drivers. It was an exciting afternoon at the Kansas Speedway.
Monday morning it was a short drive to the facilities of Aeromotive, our fuel supply systems sponsor for a number of years on the Road Tour. We were greeted at Aeromotive with fresh coffee and doughnuts and then given a complete tour of Aeromotive’s production facility and warehouse. Since our last Road Tour visit about five years ago Aeromotive has expanded into another building, which has almost doubled their size. Thanks to everyone at Aeromotive for taking time out of their busy Monday morning to greet us and show us around.
It was then off to one of the most famous manufacturer and parts suppliers in our hobby. Pete and Jakes is a name that is familiar to street rodders everywhere. Started by the late Pete Chapouris and Jim “Jake” Jacobs, Pete and Jakes was purchased by Jerry Slover many years ago. Jerry, his late wife, Peggy, and their son, Jason, grew the business into what it is today, which includes the Super Bell axle and chassis component company. The highlight of our visit for many of the participants was the chance to see the real “California Kid” and “Jake’s Coupe,” two of the most famous hot rods of all times. Thanks to Jerry and Jason and family for welcoming us to their fantastic facility.
We spent Monday evening in St. Charles, Missouri, on the banks of the Missouri River. Tuesday morning we visited the historic Lewis and Clark Boathouse where we were told the story of these brave adventurers and their Journey of Discovery. We also all enjoyed the 40-minute movie that went into detail about the two years of Lewis and Clark and their crew’s incredible journey. We got through St. Louis just after morning rush hour. Some of our participants dropped by the cruise at Mike Linning’s Restaurant and enjoyed some fantastic fish.
By about 6 p.m. most everyone on the Speedway Motors Road Tour had arrived at our destination of Louisville, Kentucky, and we were all excited about the NSRA Street Rod Nationals that would begin on Thursday.
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