The Meltdown drags is always the largest nostalgia event of the season and this years was no exception. Adding an additional 100 spots for racers, for a total of 600, there were still more than 200 racers on a waiting list. Racers filled the lot, across the road from the track Thursday morning, in anticipation of the gates opening at noon. By that evening, almost all of our 21 entires had arrived, including Ken Kapper and Ralph Grote with the Henry J, who in spite of not only one roadside break down but two, were determined not to miss this event. Special thanks to several of the St Louis members who stopped to help them be able to get back on the road. We truly have a great group of people.
Everyone enjoyed the open racing/time runs on Friday, with many of our cars taking advantage of the opportunity to make multiple passes. Unfortunately, Ed Ravario’s Willys coupe, broke the drive shaft and was unable to make repairs. Brandon Beach, 58 Chevy coupe, had a great burnout but had to be pushed back when his transmission failed to engage. Luckily they were able to get it fixed enough to make the show.
Starting early Saturday morning, many members of the Bacon family were involved in the long process of roasting a pig as our main course for our group dinner. With delicious sides and desserts from everyone else, we were once again the envy of almost everyone. Phil and Dee, of Gasser Wars magazine and many other track and meltdown personnel, also enjoyed the labors of this feast. Thank you Bacon family!
Congratulations to Bryan and June Huffman and their beautiful Willy’s pickup, as for the second year, one of our members was honored by Gassers Wars Magazine with the award for Best Gasser!
The start of the evening activities, included the Pinup Girl contest, a presentation marking the 50 year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war and a wonderful tribute to all of our veterans and service men as well as a parade down the track featuring cars of Jack Merkel and Barb Hamilton. Taking advantage of time waiting in the staging lanes, Steve and Ben Bacon had the dash in their respective cars signed by Mr Merkel.
As always, we enjoyed pairing up with the Great Lakes gassers, who also had over 20 cars in attendance. However, this lead to a new problem when we organized a group run to continue our long standing friendly competition. Over 40 cars can not fit into only one staging lane, at one time, as had been designated. What a great problem to have! Nostalgia Gassers won this years “Shootout” and currently hold the trophy.
We have so much fun visiting with people and sharing these cars. Some just enjoy seeing them, or the opportunity to actually sit in one for a picture. Others are building or want to build a car and love being able see them up close and ask questions. Please come see us at our upcoming events:
Saturday July 30 at Cordova Dragway for Door Wars
August 20th at Eddyville Raceway, Oskalooka, IA for the World Fuel Altered Nationals.
See each track’s website for details.
Respectfully submitted
Mike and Debbie Hoffman
