Tidbits from the Race & Performance Expo

2/25/2017

I attended the 10th Annual Race & Performance Expo at the Schaumburg Convention Center. As I wandered around the show I spoke with many friends to get updates on their off season and upcoming 2017 season. Here are some of the bits of information:

Joe Malfeo will again be driving his orange Chevrolet Nova.

Joe built and installed new exhaust headers for the Nova along with a few other upgrades. He is also in discussions about possibly driving a Nostalgic Funny Car for part or all of the season.

Mark and Nick Cryer took off most of the 2016 season to completely go through Nick's dragster and do some repairs/upgrades to Mark's 2009 Smart Car.

Both cars will be back on the track this year. If you haven't seen the Smart Car, I would suggest that either come to the show and/or come out Route 66 Raceway when its running. It boasts a 555 cu. in. engine with750 hp. Its a treat to see it run.

I spoke with Tom Motry, owner of the World Record Holder "Drastic Plastic" fuel altered car.

This year Tim Cullinan returns to the seat of the Drastic Plastic.

Joe Zolper, with his wife Jenny and daughter Ruby were in attendance. Joe is the lead mechanic on the Velocity Network's "Garage Squad". Joe is also the owner of Prison City Choppers in Minooka. He was at the show to partake in an autograph session. Joe is allegedly building a car to try to beat Jenny, however she says, "No way will he beat her!"

Along with Joe at the autograph session was NHRA Top Fuel driver TJ Zizzo. I didn't get a chance to talk with TJ, but I did learn he will be back on the track for a few races this season including Route 66 Raceway.

I spent some time with Rocky Ausec and his "Solid Rock" Nostalgic Funny Car team. The car is ready to go for another season. Rocky also participated in the autograph session.

Another participant in the session was John Lawson. John will run both his Nostalgic Funny Cars, Runaway and Quick Draw. Joe Haas will again this season drive Quick Draw with John in the seat of the Runaway.

The Car Chix folks are at the show. They are doing live streaming, a marketing seminar and an autograph session. Participating in the autograph session is Ms. August, Morgan Hixon. Morgan is negotiating with her dad, John, to get some passes in his Buick.

Also at the show was the Beat the Heat dragsters. I spoke with Romeoville Police Officer Jim Luckett and they are trying to fill out their season schedule.