Friday First Look! 1st Grundy Great American Nationals

Wow! We had a fantastic Friday here in York, Pennsylvania for the 1st Grundy Insurance Great American Nationals! The Northeast rodders are primed and ready for some Goodguys-style fun and you could tell by the number of cars packed into the York Expo Center today. The cars and people came streaming in throughout the day and set the stage for what promises to be an incredible hot rod weekend!

An open house and kickoff party at Winters Performance Products on Thursday got things started with food, music, and fun, and the energy has just been building from there. The York Expo Center is perfect for cruising and has plenty of trees, open areas, and vintage buildings that make it feel casual and comfortable. It’s a great setting for a weekend of Goodguys good times!

A strong field of AutoCross competitors hit the pavement hard all day on the west side of the grounds, eager to master a new course and find the fastest line in their quest to make Saturday’s Steel Shootout presented by BASF. We had more action when a trio of dragsters fired off for the Nitro Thunderfest, filling the air with mechanical music and the sweet smell of nitromethane.

We have additional cars on display inside the main vendor building, plus plenty of kids activities and a Goodgals Gallery in the Old Main Building. We’ve got plenty more in store for the rest of the weekend, as well, including a Burnout Competition on Saturday, more Nitro Thunderfest sound-offs, a Watermelon Eating Competition, live music, a full swap meet, and much more!

We’ve got this party started and we’re definitely going to be rocking it through the next two days. Come join the fun if you can and enjoy this photo gallery for a taste of what’s to come!

Photos by Damon Lee and Todd Ryden

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.