2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals, goodguys, goodguys texas

Spring Ahead – 2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals Weekend Rewind

Getting into the swing of spring can be tough. We all tend to get a little sluggish after a long, cold winter. But shaking off those winter cobwebs is a lot easier and more fun when you can do it with a good group of like-minded friends, which is exactly how things went down this weekend at the 2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth.

2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals, Goodguys, goodguys texas,


This was the weekend where we all had to spring forward with our clocks, and we took a big leap ahead toward spring here in Texas, celebrating the coming season with thousands of fellow gearheads and a rainbow of cool hot rods, bitchin’ customs, mighty muscle cars, trick trucks, and other fine rides. We managed to avoid springtime showers and enjoyed three days of comfortable temperatures and mostly sunny skies – perfect for showcasing the fine iron on the grounds.

2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals, Goodguys, goodguys texas,

A steady stream of cool cars rolled into the TMS infield throughout Friday morning, making for a fun-filled Friday afternoon followed by a laid-back TGIF party at the Marriott host hotel. Things were in full swing on Saturday, with a full spectrum of activities that included Nitro Thunderfest exhibitions, a smokin’ Burnout Competition, a killer swap meet, Team Texas NASCAR rides, plus Kids Zone fun and a Goodgals Gallery. We capped things off with our customary Track Cruise around the high-banked TMS track Saturday evening.

2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals, Goodguys, goodguys texas, texas motor speedway

 

Our friend KC Mathieu spent Saturday scouring the grounds looking for Builder’s Choice Top 10 winners, coming up with a great lineup to get our Goodguys 2019 season started. We also found finalists for the 2019 Muscle Car of the Year – Stan Stafford and his ’70 Ford Mustang Mach 1 – and Custom Rod of the Year, with Dale Turner’s ’47 Buick. Add in Josh Stahl’s bitchin’ ’69 Mercedes SEL as a Fuel Curve Pick and Larry Breeden’s ’57 Chevy as the PPG Dream Car, and it was a rewarding kickoff to the new season.

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2019 Spring Lone Star Nationals, Goodguys, goodguys texas, PPG Paint, goodguys gazette

The new Goodguys AutoCross season also got off to a strong start, with a great group of competitors tearing up the track and taking advantage of a fresh format that includes a new class – PRO-X – and a different approach to our event shootouts. Saturday’s Lone Star Shootout included two eight-car brackets – one for the PRO and PRO-X classes, and another for Street Machine, Hot Rod, and Truck classes. Taking home the class wins were Jared Leisinger (PRO-X), Bob Bertelsen (PRO), Chris Jacobs (Street Machine), Bill Holt (Truck) and Morgan Martin (Hot Rod). Josh Leisinger wheeled his Corvette to the PRO-X/PRO shootout victory and Chris Jacobs double-upped and won the SM, TR & HR shootout. On Sunday, Chris Wheelock claimed the All American Sunday class win as well as the first AAS 8-car Shootout in his sleek Corvette.

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Yes, spring is finally starting to bloom for hot rodders, and we can hear the echo of V8 engines firing to life across the country. If the crop of colorful cars in Fort Worth is any indication, it’s going to be a bountiful season for Goodguys events from coast to coast. We can’t wait to keep the momentum building at the Spring Nationals in Scottsdale next week and hope you’ll come out to join us for some fun in the Arizona sun!

Editor, Goodguys Gazette

Damon Lee began snapping photos at car shows when he was 10, tagging along with his father to events throughout the Midwest. He has combined his passion for cars and knack for writing and imagery into a 20-year career in the automotive aftermarket, writing for titles like Super Chevy and Rod & Custom and, more recently, working for respected industry leaders Speedway Motors and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.