Weekend Rewind! 27th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals

The calendar may have flipped into autumn, but we had some extended summertime heat, fun, and good vibes in Texas over the weekend during the 27th Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth. The temperatures were hot and the cars were even hotter as we filled the infield of this high-banked track with a spectacular array of cool vintage iron.

We were building up to this event for more than a week as two different legs of the 2019 Goodguys Hall of Fame Road Tour wound their way across the country toward Fort Worth – one coming from Detroit and the other from Goodguys headquarters in Pleasanton, California. Dozens of participating tour vehicles were treated to special parking at the event – and admiring accolades for making the 2,000-mile journey.

Thousands of other fine rides were cruising the facility and showing off all weekend, many of them vying for a coveted Builder’s Choice award from Customs and Hot Rods of Andice. Harold Chapman and his team were making Builder’s Choice selections for the first time here and took the honor seriously. The trophies they brought were exceptionally cool, and the ten rides receiving those trophies were definitely standouts.

Among the dozens of other awards bestowed on Sunday were finalists for some of the Goodguys 2019 Top 12. This included George Davis’ 1969 Camaro SS as a Muscle Car of the Year finalist; Sonny Freeman’s 1965 Chevelle as a Griot’s Garage Muscle Machine of the Year finalist; Cari & Michelle Shyiak’s 1955 Chevy for the Scott’s Hot Rods Truck of the Year Early finalist spot; and Chris Pate’s 1968 Chevy C10 as a finalist for LMC Truck of the Year Late. The Goodguys media team also made a couple of cool selections, with Tye Farmer’s 1985 Squarebody Chevy for the Fuel Curve Pick, and David Terry’s 1966 Chevy Nova for the Gazette Pick.

There was plenty of heat over on the AutoCross track all weekend long, with lead-footed drivers from across the country chasing both weekend glory and, in many cases, season points in their classes. The top 16 faced off in Saturday’s Big Hoss Shootout presented by Summit Racing. When the dust from the Shootouts settled it was Bill Graves Sr. winning the Street Machine, Truck, and Hot Rod shootout, and Jared Leisinger fighting his way to the win in the PRO-X & PRO shootout. AutoCross shootout action didn’t end there as Tom Bergeron doubled-down on Sunday winning both the All American Sunday class win as well as the Sunday shootout.

They say everything is bigger in Texas, and that included the list of features and activities at this year’s Summit Racing Lone Star Nationals. Beyond the usual variety of live bands, kids activities, the swap meet, a Burnout Competition, and multiple Nitro Thunderfest exhibitions, we had the one and only Chip Foose on hand Saturday signing autographs in an appearance presented by Magnaflow! There was also the Summit Racing Super Shopper Experience that took over an entire Cup Garage with products to meet just about any hot rod need. Scores of other vendors had displays and wares on hand, too, and you could even step up and take a ride around the track in a genuine NASCAR machine!

For many participants, the highlight of the weekend is the Saturday evening Track Cruise, where hot rods, customs, muscle cars, and classics took turns making laps around the high-banked oval. There was a second Track Cruise on Sunday where All American Sunday cars could take part!

The summer of 2019 may not be endless, but it sure stretched through this Lone Star September weekend, showering us with sunshine and good times. We’ve got a weekend off next week but are looking forward to even more Goodguys good times when we roll into Lexington, Kentucky for the 2nd Kentucky Nationals October 11-13. See you there!

Photos by Steven Bunker & 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.