Route 66 Classic...And It Was!

The D'Arcy Route 66 Classic has become a do not miss event of the summer. This past Saturday's event topped all the past ones. There was something for everyone. There was a craft show.

There was a car show.

There was a pin-up girl contest.

And our winner was...

Congratulations to Tonya Winkelman, the first Rt. 66 Miss Classic!

The bands were playing and everyone seemed to be having a great time

The Route 66 staff was out and about mingling with the fans ensuring everyone was having fun.

Oh I almost forgot, there was some classic drag racing happening! The Rt. 66 NHRA Junior Drag Racing League had its last race of the season capped with the crowning of its two champions. The JDRL program would not be the same without its sponsors and all the Juniors wanted me to ensure they got the recognition they deserve.

Sportsman:
John Lawson's Auto Rebuilders
Stony Tire Inc.

Modified sponsors:
Sub-Trailer Hitch (Brian Becker)
Ion Technologies

#1 Qualifiers: 
​Route 66 Food N Fuel
​

In the Junior Sportsman Division, it was Cooper Hamelen taking the win light over Molly Lane. Molly was the #1 qualifier. Cooper had a great season and was the Champion.

In the Junior Modified Division, It was Nate Kelley defeating Brandon Freis. Nate was also the #1 Qualifier and with this win Nate was crowned the season Champion. At times during the season, Nate drove in the High School Class and the Sportsman class of the ET Bracket Series.

There was racing all day for the Run Tuff Eliminator Series. These cars qualified all day to get down to the final 16.

 In the end it was Tom Raider taking the win light.

The Exhibition portion of the event was led off with the Will County vs Grundy County Grudge Match.. The is the second annual Grudge Match. The County Officials face off in equally prepared GMC pick-up trucks supplied by event sponsor Terry D'Arcy of D'Arcy Buick GMS. Last year Will County won and was hoping to repeat. However, Grundy County got really serious. States Attorney Jason Helland had been out at the Rt.66 Race Your Rides practicing.

The contestants

The racing

And the winner of the 2017 County Grudge Match...Grundy County! They took it handily, 5-1.

The winners flanked on the left by Terry D'Arcy of D'Arcy Buick GMC and on the right by Route 66 Track President Scott Paddock.

The rest of the exhibition continued with the Midwest Super Stock Mafia, the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stock Association, The Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Association and Beat the Heat amongst the many classic cars to run.

The last cars to run were Randy Adler in his 1957 Chevrolet Pro Mod.

This was followed by the Nostalgia Nitro Cars of Tom Motry's Fuel Altered Drastic Plastic and John Lawson's Runaway Funny Car.

Last but not least, It was Barry Richter's Hypersonic Jet Funny Car. In keeping with the theme of the day, Rt. 66 dragstaff member Bob Norkus was dressed in the appropriate fire suit as he was preparing the waterbox.

All told, this was the best Classic run to date. I can't wait to see what staff has up their sleeves for next year.

To see all the images from the day, please click here.

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