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NSRA Mid-America Street Rod Nationals 2000Springtime in the Ozarks and a young mans thoughts turn to
From the February, 2009 issue of Custom Classic Trucks By Dennis Parks Photography by Dennis Parks
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 Even in overcast weather,...  Even in overcast weather, the bright orange paint and yellow flames on M.L. Lands 1947 Chevy panel will brighten your day. A polished bumper and American wheels add additional sparkle.
Super smooth and scorching hot is Jim Micheles red-with-flames 40 Ford pickup. With these licks his truck stands out in a crowd. Other features are billet wheels, a Coke cooler toolbox, and a tan leather bench seat. Cool stuff.
Making Paul and Benita Stevens pickup stand out are the traditional yellow, orange, and red flames over black. The chopped-top Chevrolet also sports Centerline wheels, red cloth bucket seats, and hidden door latches.  This International woodie/panel...  This International woodie/panel truck was cruising around all weekend. I didnt see it parked, but it has to be rare.  The license plate reads XGAS...  The license plate reads XGAS ER, leading us to believe Lee McFarlands 1936 Chevy once participated in a bit of drag racing action. Perhaps he worked as a gas station attendant? The wheelie bars, Bell four-spoke wheels, and lots of louvers place the odds on this being one wild ride.  When teenager Chad Morgan...  When teenager Chad Morgan was asked what he liked best about driving to the NSRA Mid-America Nationals, his reply was: It was definitely not the gas mileage. Dont feel alone, Chad, we share that feeling. Chads primered flatbed was coming along nicely on its road trip from Jefferson, Wisconsin. With help from his dad, Chads hauler now runs on a 1979 Monte Carlo front suspension and an 1985 Camaro rear suspension. Chad, hang in there. Dad, keep up the good work.  A Coca-Cola cooler-turned-storage...  A Coca-Cola cooler-turned-storage box and diamond-plate floor add detail to Jim Micheles red 1940 Ford pickup  We never caught up with the...  We never caught up with the owners of this peach-colored nostalgic truck, as it was on the move all weekend. For a fine example of nostalgic styling, this is one to track down.  By the time these guys had...  By the time these guys had completed working on this vintage Chevrolet, the tall one was probably wishing for a longer hood prop.  Perhaps more street rod than...  Perhaps more street rod than classic truck, this highboy roadster pickup looks like tons of fun. Theres enough room for a passenger with room in the back for lawn chairs and a coolerpossibly the perfect fairground plaything.  Gary Lanes 1947 Chevy...  Gary Lanes 1947 Chevy pickup features a Native American motif painted in place of the original outside door handles. The chopped-top deluxe cab is painted aqua and rolls on black rally wheels with caps and rings. A rolled rear pan includes flush-mounted taillights, while the bed has a hinged tonneau cover.  Proving how you can make anything...  Proving how you can make anything look better is Butch Boyettes 1948 Studebaker pickup. This racy red hauler with fat rear tires mounted on Budnik wheels is probably the hottest thing in Jacksonville, Arkansas.  This former CCT feature truck...  This former CCT feature truck was built by Sam Kimbrough of Rolla, Missouri. The blue 1948 Chevy looks as good now as it did when Sam first built it. He probably wishes he hadnt sold it.  For the short haul, Lyndel...  For the short haul, Lyndel Links 1936 Chevy looks too cool for school. This dark-purple with ghost flames highboy would be the perfect grown boys go-cart. A barely-off-the-ground stance, polished wheels, shortened bed, and white vinyl interior are neat details, with a minimum of expense.  The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds...  The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds offers plenty of room to cruise for those who choose to do so. What better way to do so than in a slick 1948 Chevy pickup?  The Kansas City area has its...  The Kansas City area has its share of fine-looking hot rods. This 1940 Ford pickup is from Lees Summit, Missouri, and is owned by 18-year-old Ed Lipowicz IV. With slick red paint, you dont realize the cab has been extended and the bed shortened. A highly detailed and polished Ford 302 with an AOD transmission provides plenty of power to spin the polished Weld wheels. Tan bucket seats keep Ed comfortable, while digital gauges keep him informed.  A man whose heart beats much...  A man whose heart beats much like ours is Rick Ward, as evidenced by his dark-teal-green 1948 Chevy pickup. The contrasting cream-colored rally wheels look great with the dark paint. Body modifications include a peaked hood, frenched headlights, and a Vd windshield. A painted grille, polished bedstrips, and a smooth tailgate round out the package. Inside the cab is a Teas bench seat with gray tweed and a tilt wheel.  These two early Ford pickups...  These two early Ford pickups were the first trucks we saw at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds. Not too shabby. Ricky Robbins owns the dark blue 1932 Ford with tan steelie wheels. Under the hood is a V-6 engine, and between the doors is a tan vinyl interior. Melanie Martin owns the hugger orange 1933 Ford pickup. It runs a set of Halibrands, a small-block Chevy for power, and black leather bucket seats for comfort. Springtime in the Ozarks and a young mans thoughts turn to
loadin up the truck and headin to Springfield, Missouri, for the NSRA Mid-America Street Rod Nationals. Whether youre driving an in-progress buildup or a finished boulevard cruiser, Springfield was a great place to be over Memorial Day weekend. NSRA, the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, and the City of Springfield combined to make everyone feel welcome. With the traditional down-home atmosphere of this Bible Belt town, it didnt take any extra-big effort on anyones part to make you feel welcome. Hospitality is in the air, no matter when you are there.
As in the past, Sheraton Hawthorn Park served as the perfect location for registration and the Friday Night Kickoff Party. Located on Glenstone Avenue, close to the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, the Sheraton is centrally located to the action. Several eating establishments, to suit a variety of tastes and budgets, are located within walking or driving distance along Glenstone Avenue. If you prefer to get away from the crowd, Springfield spreads out in all directions for your exploring pleasure.
After checking in at registration, a short drive takes you to the fairgrounds, where 1,950 street rods were in attendancethe most, to date, for this steadily growing event. It would have been higher had it not been for the forecast that promisedand deliveredrain. Mother Nature obviously likes a good rod run as well as the next guy. Of course, not all of these street rods were trucks; however, as everyone reading this magazine knows, trucks are continuing to increase in popularity. At rod runs that were once visited only by trucks of the 40 Ford and 47-48 Chevy variety, a growing number of makes and models are now being seen. Model A Ford trucks seem to be regaining some lost popularity, while early post-war Fords are enjoying popularity for the first time.
Everyone we spoke with seemed to enjoy the Springfield run. The fairground has plenty of shade for those who want to sit and relax, and plenty of open area for those who want to show off their perfect paint jobs in the sunlight. Paved streets make cruising all through the fairgrounds a pleasant way to see and be seen. No matter what your favorite rod run event is, Springfield, Missouri, merits your consideration. Pat Newell and NSRA agree, as they plan to be there again next year over the Memorial Day weekend. Well see you there.
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The Thinker??? - Haul Monitor
Ryan talks about the friendly badgering that goes on around the shop and overcoming obstacles that seemly pop up out of nowhere during a project....
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