If there's a fact of life for every stop on the Super Chevy Show series this season, it's that the weather has been chasing us all over the country. Whatever we did (or didn't do) in Chicagoland paid off because we had a great show in great weather, and met the nicest people there. Of course we always know we are going to see great racing in Joliet with avid bracket racers running late trying to take home the cash. Add to that the local Chicago Outlaws and a car fans are never sure where to spend the most time; checking out the bright and shiny Chevys, or watching them tear up the dragstrip. Route 66 is home to oval tracks, including a great NASCAR facility, and a dirt track, along with one of the premier dragstrips in the country.
There could be some "Monsters" here but they are well behaved. Usually they only act up when they're hungry but in Joliet there's plenty to soothe the savage beast.
Our trip to Joliet this year started with picking up Project X in Ohio where we left it after the Norwalk Super Chevy Show. Autostar's Media Director and drag race announcer, Mike Fornatoro, babysat the "world's most famous '57 Chevy" for us between shows-thanks Mike. We made a speed run from Ohio to Joliet in the dark of night and discovered something about what happens as you near Chicago around 4 a.m.; all the trucks in the world are on Interstate 80 and they are in a hurry to get out of town! Just when we were looking forward to a few winks in the morning, it was time to be alert, really alert, and crank up that big 502 of Project X. Four lanes, three of which are filled with 18 wheelers, and they're hauling stuff to the rest of the country-fast. We kept out of harms way and our '57 is intact. When it came time to leave, we left at night. Wasn't too bad heading east and now we have our car ready for Columbus, Ohio, Houston, Texas, and Montgomery, Alabama. Can't wait to get back behind the wheel.
See our version of Monsters of the Midway in Joliet. We won't replace "Da Bears," but it's what we look forward to in Chicago.
If you've been on our Web site, you have seen the car this motor is in. It's a genuine 409, not a motor that often used in drag cars recently. Of course this "Henry" goes back a few years but it still runs like gangbusters. | 
If it's a great Chevy, and it has at least a five-speed stick, it's eligible for the Tremec Trick Stick award. Jerry Popejoy of Flora, IN, took the trophy for his '69 Camaro, which is totally trick. |
If this isn't the best Camaro, then we don't know how to pick 'em. David Cross of Fox Lake, IL, receives the Rick's Camaros trophy for Best Camaro at the show. And yes, we do know ho to pick 'em. | 
This is definitely the Best Chevelle. That's the award, sponsored by Original Parts Group that Al Opel from Plainfield, IL, is holding in recognition of the quality of his '64 Chevelle. |
We park Project X all around the show and Midway area. Lonestar Muscle Car's tent is one of the most popular and we never have problems drawing a crowd. | 
These are the happiest winners we saw. Bill Jelinek and wife from Brookfield, IL, smile it up after winning the Soffseal Attention To Detail award for their great '67 Nova. Stay happy. |
The Bears play in Chicago but the Jets, real ones that is, play in Joliet. Yes, that car nearest the camera is supposed to look like a train; it even has a great whistle. When the light turns green, it does haul the freight, this time against local racer, Fran Peppler. | 
Gary Trahan took a few months off from Super Chevy Shows to air condition the state of Louisiana (his A/C business is there) but he came to the Chicago show with his exquisite '69 Camaro and took Best of Gold-Street, awarded on behalf of Street & Performance, Inc. |
Justin Stout is a young Chevy fan and his taste obviously turns to a later model Camaro with performance as the keyword. The Davenport, IA native took home the Super Chevy Young Star award. | |