2019 Route 66 Classic
Words by Mike Sopko Jr.
Photos by Mike Sopko Sr.; Mike Sopko Jr.; Michael K. Sopko
Mother Nature did everything she could to try and spoil this year’s Classic. And though this was an event steeped in nostalgia from it’s Pin Up Contest, Pin Striping, concert, and of course the vintage drag vehicles I for one was happy there was at least modern track drying equipment. After an ever-changing forecast brought rain throughout the morning into the early afternoon and after the track officials arranged and rearranged the schedule the cars were finally able to take to the track near the original showtime.
The event boasted nitro funny cars, the Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit, the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stock Association, Nostalgia Super Stockers, and of course a plethora of run what you brung nostalgia vehicles. Kudos to the Route 66 Track Crew that made sure there was enough bite in the track to ensure wheelstanding launches in all categories as well as some impressive ET’s. The fans that stuck around were definitely treated to some great action especially from the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stocks that reminded fans of the glory days of the factory hot rods.
For those that like an even more vintage variety of factory hot rods there were the Nostalgia Super Stocks who brought back memories of the match race madness days of the 1960’s. Then there were the plastic fantastics of Denny Salzwimmer’s Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit which featured wheels up, guardwall to centerline racing, while at times reaching ET’s in the high 6’s at over 200 mph. If you were in the area hopefully you didn’t let Mother Nature get the best of you, and make sure you mark it on your calendar for next year.
See you then, Mike Sopko Jr.
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"Wild Willie" Bill Fuesting in his "Illinois Outlaw" Fiat launches during Saturday Evening eliminations.
Mike Ruth getting the handle on the new engine cobmination.
This high-sitting-lime-green 57 Chevy had the longest wheelstand of the night and didn't come down till well past the 60 ft. mark.
Tony Zizzo brought out his "Avenger" streamliner on NITRO. Unfortuately he had to shut it off after discovering a fuel leak.
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