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[ ENGINE REVVING ]
(JOE)>> IT'S AN ANNUAL HAPPENING AND IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. SO STAY WITH US. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> TODAY, ON HORSEPOWER TV. GET READY FOR A HORSEPOWER TV SPECIAL. THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS WITH WILD AND QUICK QUARTER MILE DRAG RACING, SOME OF THE MOST GORGEOUS SHOW CARS ON THE PLANET, AND MORE. ( )>> CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> HORSEPOWER HAPPENING OF THE YEAR AND A POWER PARTY YOU DON'T WANNA MISS. SO HANG ON FOR HORSEPOWER TV! [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> FOR 23 YEARS THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HOTTEST EVENTS FOR COOL CARS IN THE COUNTRY. EVERYTHING FROM STREET RODS, HOT RODS, AND COOL CUSTOMS. WELL, THIS YEAR'S BASH IS GONNA BE BIGGER THAN EVER. THAT'S BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THEY'VE GONE RACING. [CROWD YELLING ] [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE NEW STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS ATTRACTED QUITE AN ARMY OF QUICK CONTENDERS FROM AROUND THE MIDWEST, SERIOUS STREET FIGHTERS WHO'VE COME TO DO BATTLE IN BOTH PRO AND SUPER PRO CLASSES. ( )>> THEY'RE MADE TO BE DRIVEN. RACE 'EM HARD. AND, IF YOU BREAK 'EM, FIX 'EM. ( )>> MAMA WENT RACING. WHY LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE KIDS? [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> PLUS, RED HOT MATCH RACES WITH A MOB OF BAD GUYS FROM CHI TOWN WHO BROUGHT THEIR ALCOHOL BLOWN AND NITROUS SPRAYED LETHAL WEAPONS TO MAKE A HIT JOB HERE AT ROUTE 66.
(VINCE)>> ALL THESE WISE GUYS OVER HERE, IN THE PIT AREA, WE'RE ALL BEST OF FRIENDS. ANYBODY WILL NOT DISPUTE THAT. BUT, WHEN WE GET IN THAT STAGING AREA, I DON'T KNOW HIM. HE DON'T KNOW ME. WE'RE OUT FOR BLOOD. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL US THE CHICAGO WISE GUYS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> PLUS, THERE'S GROUNDSHAKING EXHIBITION RUNS COURTESY OF ARNIE BESWICK'S SEVEN SECOND GTO - THE TAMELESS TIGER. AND, PAUL BARNES IN HIS '59 BAD CAD PINK CADILLAC. [ ENGINE REVVING ] OF COURSE, AS ALWAYS, THE EVENTS ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SHOW CARS, A MINDBLOWING MIX OF GORGEOUS RODS THAT COULD HAVE YOU DROOLING FOR DAYS.
(JOHN)>> IT'S AMAZING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE SHOW CAR JUDGES DO THIS. I COULDN'T PICK ONE OUT OVER ANOTHER ONE. I MEAN THEY'RE ALL GORGEOUS CARS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> SOON AFTER THE GATES OPENED FRIDAY TIME TRIALS ARE GOING HOT AND HEAVY. BUT, WHERE'S THE CROWD? WELL, OVER HERE IN LINE FOR A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH A FORMER WWF SUPERSTAR. ( )>> I LIKE SABLE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> YEP, SHE WAS KNOWN AS SABLE IN THE RING. AND, OBVIOUSLY HAD THE RACING AND WRESTLING FANS ALL REVVED UP.
(JOE)>> IF YOU WERE IN A CAR SHOW, WOULD YOU BE STOCK OR MODIFIED?
(SABLE)>> OH, I DON'T KNOW. I'M VERY INTERESTED IN BOTH OF 'EM. SO I THINK I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE A CAR SHOWN IN BOTH. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OKAY, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED FOR A CARNIVAL OF COOL SHOW CARS AND SOME RED HOT RACING AS MAIN EVENTS, PLUS, EVERYTHING FROM BATHING SUITS TO BURNOUT CONTESTS TO SIDE SHOWS, WELL, THIS IS THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CIRCUS FOR YOU. THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS - ONE OF THE HORSEPOWER HAPPENINGS OF THE YEAR, AND, YOU JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. ( )>> HEY, DON'T BE A WISE GUY. STAY TUNED OR ELSE. YEAH!
[ MUSIC ] [ ENGINE REVVING ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK TO ROUTE 66. THIS CAMARO'S GOT A 572 CUBIC INCH BLOWN ALCOHOL ENGINE, MAKING ABOUT 15-HUNDRED HORSES, AND IT RUNS IN THE SEVENS. NOW, THE DRIVER IS PART OF A GROUP OF RENEGADE RACERS YOU'RE GONNA LOVE CALLED THE CHICAGO WISE GUYS. [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHENEVER THIS GANG OF MATCH RACERS FROM THE WINDY CITY BLOWS INTO TOWN, WELL, EACH GUY HAS ONE THING ON HIS MIND. ( )>> GO AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY YOU'RE THERE FIRST. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> AND, ACCORDING TO THE JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE GANG ALL THE WISE GUYS ARE OUT FOR BLOOD.
(MIKE)>> YES WE ARE. THERE'S POINTS, THERE'S MONEY, YOU KNOW. SO, WE'RE OUT THERE TO WIN. THERE'S BRAGGIN' RIGHTS. AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN AND YOU GRAB THAT FIRST BEER, THERE'S BRAGGIN RIGHTS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE GANG RUNS IN THIS '57 CHEVY WITH A NATURALLY ASPIRATED BIG BLOCK. YOU'VE JUST GOT A LITTLE OVER 500 CUBIC INCHES IN THIS THING. NO NITROUS, NO BLOWER, AUTOMATIC. HOW DO YOU DO IT?
(JIM)>> AH, IT'S GOT A LOT OF COMPRESSION, AND THE CONVERTER STALLS AT ABOUT 6000. AND, I USUALLY GO TO THE WOOD JUST BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES DOWN AND I DRAW 6000 ON THE CONVERTER WHEN I LEAVE. SOMEBODY ASKED MY WIFE ONE DAY WHAT WE HAD IN THE CAR AND SHE SAID HER NEW HOUSE. BUT SHE GOES WITH ME ALL THE TIME. WHEN I GO RACING, SHE'S ALWAYS THERE. AND, I'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY. I WAS MARRIED TO ONE ONE TIME AND SHE SAID EITHER I GO OR THE CAR GOES. AND I STILL GOT THE CAR. ( )>> THIS IS HIS WHOLE LIFE. YOU TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM AND HE WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. NOPE. WE LOVE IT.
(JOE)>> YOU DON'T EVER DRIVE THIS THING, DO YOU? WHEN I WANT GROCERIES IN A HURRY, I RUN DOWN TO THE GROCERY STORE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE LEADER OF THE POINTS PACK IS VINCE PORTEA WHO RUNS TWO STAGES OF NITROUS IN HIS '55 BOW TIE. AND WHY?
(VINCE)>> CHEAPEST HORSEPOWER YOU CAN BUY. AND IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH IT, YOU CAN REALLY GO FAST. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> APPARENTLY HE KNOWS. VINCE CONSISTENTLY GETS THIS SHOEBOX IN THE SEVENS. AND, HE'S QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT ON THE STRIP NONE OF THE WISE GUYS IS A NICE GUY.
(VINCE)>> EVERYBODY'S FRIENDS IN THE PIT AREA, BUT WHEN IT'S TIME TO RUN, THEY'RE STRANGERS. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND JOE AND I WE LIKE TO BE TOP DOGS. IF THE TRACK HOLDS UP, YOU'LL SEE THIS '55 BE NUMBER ONE AGAIN. THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT. I DON'T LIKE TO BRAG, BUT I GOTTA LOT OF FAITH IN THIS MOTOR. GOTTA LOT OF FAITH IN MY CREW CHIEF. HE TUNES IT UP, WE'LL GET IT GOING.
(JOE)>> YOU LIKE WORKING WITH THIS NITROUS? (JOE R.)>> YEAH, IT'S A CHALLENGE. IT'S A CHALLENGE ALL THE TIME. YOU ALWAYS RUN ON THE EDGE. LAST WEEK WE BURNED A PISTON UP. SO WE RAN A LITTLE TOO MUCH ON THE EDGE.
(JIM)>> HERE WE GO. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHILE THE WISE GUYS GET READY TO BATTLE IT OUT AGAIN, LET'S CHECK OUT A FEW CONTENDERS IN THE BRACKET RACING BASH. MIXED IN WITH THE USUAL CAMAROS AND MUSTANGS WE DISCOVERED ONE OF THE MORE CONSISTENT CHALLENGERS WAS BILL LUECK'S '66 COBRA.
(BILL)>> I LOVE THIS STUFF. I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR MOST OF MY LIFE ON AND OFF AS A KID AND KINDA GOT BACK INTO IT NOW ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND IT'S MY LOVE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WITH A BORED AND STROKED SVO ENGINE, VICTOR JR. INTAKE, AND 1050 DOMINATOR IT RUNS HIGH NINES IN THE PRO CLASS. THINK HE GETS ANY ATTENTION WITH THIS LITTLE BLUE BULLET?
(BILL)>> AH, YEAH I DO. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THESE AROUND TO BEGIN WITH. AND, I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COME UP TO ME, AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF RARE RACERS, WHAT ABOUT THIS '70 GSX, OR IS IT? (JOE R.)>> IT STARTED OUT LIFE AS A '72 SKYLARK. AND I WANTED A GSX REAL BAD SO I JUST MADE MY OWN. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD DO THAT TO A REAL ONE. THEY'RE WORTH TOO MUCH MONEY.
(JOE)>> BRACKET RACING'S ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY AND GETTING THE RIGHT DIALIN. HOW ARE YOU IN THE CAR THERE? (JOE R.)>> MY BUDDIES TELL ME I NEED AN ALARM CLOCK TO LEAVE AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE. BUT, SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES I'M PRETTY GOOD. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> IN SUPER PRO ONE OF SATURDAY'S MOST CONSTANT CONTENDERS WAS BECKY STRATER WHOSE '62 BUBBLE TOP BEL AIR WAS RUNNING REGULARLY IN THE MIDEIGHTS.
(BECKY)>> WE'VE GOT A 585 CUBIC INCH MOTOR IN IT, FUEL INJECTED. THE CAR WEIGHS WITH ME IN IT, WE WEIGHED IT THIS WEEKEND, SO WE WEIGH 2720. SO, WE'RE FAIRLY LIGHT WITH THIS BIG CAR. IT JUST DRIVES PRETTY MUCH LIKE YOU'RE ON A STRING. IT'S THE BIGGEST RUSH THAT YOU COULD EVER GET. AND, THE FASTER YOU GO THE BIGGER THE RUSH IS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OF COURSE, THE BIGGEST RUSH OF ALL IS THE ONE YOU GET FROM WINNING. AND, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO'S THE BADDEST OF THE BRACKET RACERS, AND WINNINGEST WISE GUY LATER HERE AT THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS. [ ENGINES REVVING ] [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> UP NEXT GET YOUR SHADES READY. WE'VE GOT SOME SHINNY SHOW CARS THAT'LL PUT YOUR EYES OUT HERE ON OUR HORSEPOWER TV SPECIAL.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK. AS WE TOLD YOU EARLIER THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS A 23 YEAR TRADITION AS A CAR SHOW. WHAT DO YOU SAY WE CRUISE THE CONCOURSE AND FIND OUT WHY? (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHAT DO YOU LIKE? FORD, CHEVY, MOPAR. OR, HOW ABOUT IMPORTS? THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS 'EM ALL. FROM EXTREME TRUCKS TO CLASSIC HOT RODS. YEAH, THIS PLACE IS A CANDY STORE FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIAST. AND ONE OF THE SWEETEST CARS HERE HAS TO BE THIS PROMODIFIED '97 CAMARO. FROM THE SUPER CHROMED 510 CUBIC INCH CHEVY ENGINE THAT PUTS OUT AN AMAZING 1700 HORSES WITH NITROUS, TO THE TOTALLY POLISHED MARK WILLIAMS' REAR END. YEAH, THIS ROD IS A COMPLETE PACKAGE THAT TURNS HEADS IN THE SHOW OR ON THE GO.
(BRIAN)>> GUYS WILL GO BY YOU ON THE FREEWAY AND THEY'LL LITERALLY, YOU GOTTA WATCH BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DRIFT BECAUSE THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE CAR. AND, PEOPLE JUST STOP AND GAZE ALL OVER. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OF COURSE, THIS CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION, TOO. THE CADDY, THAT IS. THIS '59 COUPE DE VILLE HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM FACTORY WITH A DOWN AND DIRTY STANCE AND A BIG BLOWN MOTOR.
(FUJI)>> I BOUGHT THE CAR STOCK AND I WASN'T SURE IF I WAS GONNA RESTORE IT OR DO SOMETHING ELSE, AND I DID SOMETHING ELSE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> SOMETHING ELSE IS RIGHT. RESTORERS MIGHT THINK IT'S A SIN, BUT THERE'S NO DENYING THE FLAMES MAKE THIS ONE HOT CADDY. [ MUSIC ] DRAKE DEVORE AND SON BUILT THIS '64 BARRACUDA WITH THEIR OWN SPECIAL TOUCHES. A FORWARD TILTING HOOD, CUSTOM INTERIOR, AND A SPLIT WINDOW IN THE REAR THAT CAN GULLWING OPEN. BUT THE MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE IS THE 468 BIG BLOCK.
(DRAKE)>> THE CAR'S BUILT TO RUN HARD AND FAST. THAT'S WHY I DON'T DRIVE IT. I'M TOO OLD. I DON'T HAVE THE RESPONSES. HE DRIVES IT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> TALK ABOUT A RIDE. THIS 468 IS COMPLETELY BLOWN, WITH RACING PISTONS, STEEL CRANK AND ALL THE RACING GOODIES TO GO ALONG WITH IT. (DRAKE JR.)>> THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT IT, IS JUST GOING OUT AND DRIVING IT. THAT'S WHAT I LOVE THE MOST. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> HEY, CHECK OUT THE GRAPHICS ON THIS LATE MODEL CHEVY PICKUP. OR, THIS CREW CAB DUALLY COMPLETE WITH MINIBIKE. OR, THIS '79 CHEVY STEPSIDE WITH SUPER CHROME ENGINE AND FULLY CUSTOMIZED BED. OR, THIS TOYOTA ROADSTER?
(BUTCH)>> IT'S KIND OF A BLEND OF A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SPORTS. IT'S PART STREET ROD, PART MINITRUCK, PART LOWRIDER. JUST A COMBINATION OF KINDA EVERYTHING. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THIS '88 PICKUP WAS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP WITH A POLISHED BED, A CUSTOM INTERIOR, AND WILD GRAPHICS. SO NO MATTER WHAT PART YOU PICK, THIS ROADSTER'S GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND GREAT SHOW CARS AT THE EVENT, EACH WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE STYLES AND SPECIAL TOUCHES, WHAT SEPARATES THE CARS THAT WILL TAKE HOME A TROPHY AND THOSE WHO WON'T? LUCKILY HEAD OFFICIAL FOR THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS BOB MILLARD IS GONNA FILL US IN ON THE THINGS JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR.
(BOB)>> IN THIS SPORT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MOSTLY THE INDUCTION, AND BY THAT LIKE THE DUAL CARBURETORS, THE BLOWERS, THE FUEL INJECTION. WHO CAN HAVE THE HIGHEST ONE. WHO'S GOT THE SHINIEST ONE, AND WHO'S GOT THE BIGGEST ONE. THAT'S THE THINGS THAT IMPRESS THE STREET MACHINE FAMILY. IN THE STREET MACHINE SHOWS, DEFINATELY THE ENGINEERING PART IS A STRONG POINT OF THE CAR, HOW THESE CARS WERE PUT TOGETHER, AND HOW THEY'RE BUILT. HOW THEY SIT ON THE GROUND, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. AND, THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINEERING. HERE'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE. THIS IS A GREAT LOOKING PICKUP TRUCK. LOOK AT THE DETAIL WORK IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE INTERIOR CLASH OF THE COLORS JUST FITS PERFECT TO THIS VEHICLE. THIS MAN HAS DONE A VERY, VERY NICE JOB OF FINISHING THIS OFF. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN AN INTERIOR. LOOKING FROM THE PAINT WORK, BODY WORK ON THE FIBERGLASS, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DONE TO IT, THEY'VE TAKEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO FINISH THIS CAR, FRONT TO BACK. THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TEN. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WELL, NOW WE KNOW WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO TAKES HOME SOME OF THE TOP TROPHIES, WHEN WE RETURN TO THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS. [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> PLUS WE'LL SEE WHICH WISE GUY WINS THE ET BATTLE AND WHICH BRACKET RACERS END UP IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE. SO STAY TUNED TO HORSEPOWER TV.
[ MUSIC ] [ ENGINE REVVING ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK. WELL, TODAY IT'S TIME TO FIND THE WINNERS, WHETHER IT'S RACING, SHOW CARS, BURNOUT CONTESTS, OR BATHING SUITS. FIRST THE BEAUTY - WINNER OF THE MISS STREET NATIONALS COMPETITION. IT'S LACY TRYING FROM FT. BRANCH, INDIANA. NOW THE BEASTS. THE BURNOUT COMPETITION WITH BIG FIELD OF CHALLENGERS SMOKIN 'EM UP FOR THE CROWD. AARON GERLING ROASTED THE MEATS OF HIS '67 CHEVELLE TO WIN THE CROWD'S FAVOR AND HOPEFULLY ENOUGH CASH TO BUY A NEW PAIR FOR THE REAR. IN SHOW CAR COMPETITION, REMEMBER THIS '70 OLDS OF JIM MARTINO'S? WELL, THE JUDGES GAVE HIS RIDE THE NOD FOR BEST OF SHOW HONORS. WHILE DRAKE DEVORE'S '64 CUDA WON BEST ENGINE. AND BRIAN BASIC'S '97 CAMARO WAS NAMED A GRAND CHAMPION. [ ENGINE REVVING ] NOW, LET'S GET BACK TO THE TRACK, SO TO SPEAK. IN PRO DRAG BILL LUECK AND HIS COBRA WERE WINNING UP UNTIL FOURTH ROUND ELIMINATIONS. WHILE A TRUCK DRIVER FROM ILLINOIS WITH A '71 CAMARO, BUILT ON A TIGHT BUDGET, FOUGHT HIS WAY UP TO A SEMIFINAL BYE RUN.
(GARY)>> BEEN A LONG TIME WAITING. LONG TIME WAITING. MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE HERE. I'M SO HAPPY MY KIDS ARE HERE. I HAD TO WORK FOR THAT LAST ONE. CUT A 503 LIGHT AND RAN ONE OFF MY DIALIN. SO, SOMEBODY'S LOOKING OUT FOR ME. IT'S MY WEEKEND.
(JOE)>> WELL, ALMOST. IN A CLOSE FINAL RACE, GARY LOST TO CLARENCE HARDING IN HIS 396 CHEVELLE WHO RAN ONE HUNDREDTH OVER HIS DIALIN TO TAKE THE TOP PRIZE.
(CLARENCE)>> YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A CONSISTENT CAR. THAT'S THE MAIN THING. I WISH I WAS AS CONSISTENT AS THE CAR IS. YOU KNOW, IT USUALLY RUNS RIGHT ON. IT NEVER FAILED ME YET. JUST HAVE TO WORK AT THEM LIGHTS A LITTLE MORE AND MAYBE WE'LL DO GOOD AGAIN. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> NOW, SUPER PRO, WHERE BECKY STRATER CONTINUED RUNNING IN THE EIGHTS BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO HER DIALIN TO STAY IN THE HUNT. THE WINNER - ANOTHER CHEVELLE. THIS TIME RICH GRISE'S '66 THAT RAN JUST SIXTHOUSANDTHS OFF HIS NUMBER.
(RICH)>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CAR ALL DAY AND WE HAD AN EARLY MISS IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOO FAT. SO, WE KEPT PLAYING WITH THE CARBS, BUT THE WEATHER KEPT CHANGING, SO WE JUST TOOK A GUESS ON THE LAST JETTING AND WE HIT IT RIGHT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> AND WHAT ADVICE CAN RICH GIVE TO YOU TO BE A WINNING BRACKET RACER?
(RICH)>> IF YOU CAN RACE EVERY WEEK YOU'LL BE DEAD ON. I MEAN IT'S JUST PRACTICE. LIKE ANYTHING, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> MEANWHILE, LET'S SEE WHAT'S COOKING IN THE WISE GUYS' PITS.
(ARMANDO)>> LOOK AT HERE. YOU CAN TELL A GOOD COOK WHEN YOU SEE ONE. THIS IS THE WISE GUYS, RIGHT HERE. GOT THE AVOCADOS AND THE TORTILLAS. NOW, THAT'S TEX MEX COOKING FOR YOU, JOE. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL FAJITAS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WITH THE FINAL MATCH RACE COMING UP - ALL THE WEEKEND'S POINTS AND PRIDE ARE ON THE LINE.
(VINCE)>> WE STEPPED IT UP. WE PUT IT BACK TO THE TUNE UP THAT WE HAD AT ANOTHER TRACK AT WHICH IT RAN A 7.26. SO, IT SHOULD RUN REAL CLOSE TO THAT TODAY IF THE AIR KEEPS UP NICE AND FRESH.
(JIM)>> THAT'S 17-HUNDRED FEET THERE AND ANYTHING BELOW 2000 IS REAL GOOD AIR. SO, WE FIGURE THE CAR RAN FIFTY YESTERDAY. WE FIGURE IT'LL RUN A THIRTY TODAY. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> JIM REGENAUR'S '57 RAN DOWN THIS ALCOHOL BLOWN WILLYS IN THE MIDEIGHTS AT 160 MILES AN HOUR.
(JIM)>> IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY WE RAN 8.49, 160. SO, HAPPY WITH THAT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> BUT THE TOP DOG OF THE DAY WAS VINCE PORTERA IN HIS NITROUS SPRAYED '55 CHEVY. THIS WISE GUY RAN A WEEKEND BEST ET OF 7.64 AT 189 MILES AN HOUR.
(VINCE)>> IT WAS A REAL GOOD RUN ON A WEAK CLUTCH. CAT HAS NINE LIVES. A CLUTCH ONLY HAS MAYBE ONE OR TWO. AND, I THINK I USED THEM ALL. BUT IT RAN ALRIGHT. 'COULD RAN A LITTLE BIT BETTER. I'M NOT REALLY SATISFIED WITH IT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WELL, THE FANS SHOULD BE STAISFIED WITH THE SPECTACLE THEY GOT THIS WEEKEND. ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST CAR SHOWS. NOW WITH DOWN AND DIRTY DRAG RACING. YEAH, THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS IS A BONAFIDE HORSEPOWER HAPPENING, AND I'M GLAD WE HAPPENED TO DROP IN, AREN'T YOU? ()>> STAY TUNED FOR HORSEPOWER TV.
(NARRATOR)>> NOW HORSEPOWER'S HOT PARTS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT. YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS.
(JOE)>> WELL, IT WOULDN'T BE HORSEPOWER TV WITHOUT HOT PARTS, SO TODAY WE'D LIKE TO KEEP IT AT THE TRACK AND SHOW YOU SOME STUFF WE FOUND HERE ON THE MIDWAY. NOW OVER THE YEARS, A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN RACING ON WELD DRAG LIGHTS, BUT DID YOU KNOW THERE'S A NEW VERSION FOR YOUR STREET RIDE, AS WELL. IT'S CALL THE DRAG LIGHT XP, THAT'S MADE ESPECIALLY FOR LATE MODEL CAMAROS AND MUSTANGS WITH LARGER BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. IT'S A TWOPIECE WHEEL MADE OF LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM AND FULLY POLISHED FOR A REAL SHOWCAR LOOK. SO IF YOU LIKE TO SHOW OFF YOUR STREET MACHINE WITH A HOT RACING LOOK, YOU CAN FOR COOL $150 AND UP. AUTOMETER'S BEEN MAKING INSTRUMENT GAUGES FOR STREET RODS AND RACE CARS FOR MANY YEARS BUT LET'S SHED SOME LIGHT ON SOMETHING NEW HERE. IT'S CALLED A SUPER LIGHT AND IT'S GOT A SWITCH IN THE BACK WITH A LOW SETTING FOR NIGHT TIME RACING, MEDIUM, AND HIGH FOR BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. SO IF YOU'VE BEEN MISSING SHIFTS LATELY WELL MAYBE YOU BETTER SEE THE LIGHT AND GET ONE FOR ABOUT $45 BUCKS. WHETHER YOU'RE RACING OR JUST OUT CRUISING A BUSTED WATER HOSE COULD PUT YOU IN THE PITS INDEFINITELY. THAT'S WHY EDELBROCK CAME UP WITH THIS NEW PRODUCT CALLED POWERBOND SELFSEALING WRAP. NOW THIS STUFF ACTUALLY SHRINKS TO FORM AN AIRTIGHT, WATERPROOF, SOLID PIECE OF RUBBER. IT'S A GOOD TEMPORARY FIX FOR BELTS AND HOSES, WORKS WET OR DRY, GREASY OR DIRTY, AND COSTS ABOUT $10 A ROLL. WELL THAT'S A WRAP IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. HERE'S A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK'S SHOW. WE'LL KICK OFF OUR CRATE MOTOR BUILDUP ON "PROJECT BLUE THUNDER" WITH A 502 CUBE ENGINE THAT MAKES 502 HORSES. WE'LL HEAD TO WEST PALM BEACH FOR A FORD LOVER'S PARADISE. WHERE THE BLUE OVAL BOYS DO BATTLE ON THE STRIP. PLUS WE'VE GOT A COOL TIP ON HOW TO USE WEATHER STRIPPING TO MAKE YOUR HOT ROD A REAL SHOW STOPPER. MEANWHILE THE TRACK'S DOWN, THE STANDS ARE EMPTY, AND IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME BUT REMEMBER, HIGH PERFORMANCE FUN IS WHAT THIS SHOW IS ALL ABOUT. [ MUSIC ]
(NARRATOR)>> HORSEPOWER TV IS AN RTM PRODUCTION.
Show Full Transcript
(JOE)>> IT'S AN ANNUAL HAPPENING AND IT'S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW. SO STAY WITH US. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> TODAY, ON HORSEPOWER TV. GET READY FOR A HORSEPOWER TV SPECIAL. THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS WITH WILD AND QUICK QUARTER MILE DRAG RACING, SOME OF THE MOST GORGEOUS SHOW CARS ON THE PLANET, AND MORE. ( )>> CAN'T GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS. THIS IS BEAUTIFUL. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> HORSEPOWER HAPPENING OF THE YEAR AND A POWER PARTY YOU DON'T WANNA MISS. SO HANG ON FOR HORSEPOWER TV! [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> FOR 23 YEARS THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS BEEN ONE OF THE HOTTEST EVENTS FOR COOL CARS IN THE COUNTRY. EVERYTHING FROM STREET RODS, HOT RODS, AND COOL CUSTOMS. WELL, THIS YEAR'S BASH IS GONNA BE BIGGER THAN EVER. THAT'S BECAUSE FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER, THEY'VE GONE RACING. [CROWD YELLING ] [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE NEW STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS ATTRACTED QUITE AN ARMY OF QUICK CONTENDERS FROM AROUND THE MIDWEST, SERIOUS STREET FIGHTERS WHO'VE COME TO DO BATTLE IN BOTH PRO AND SUPER PRO CLASSES. ( )>> THEY'RE MADE TO BE DRIVEN. RACE 'EM HARD. AND, IF YOU BREAK 'EM, FIX 'EM. ( )>> MAMA WENT RACING. WHY LEAVE ANYTHING TO THE KIDS? [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> PLUS, RED HOT MATCH RACES WITH A MOB OF BAD GUYS FROM CHI TOWN WHO BROUGHT THEIR ALCOHOL BLOWN AND NITROUS SPRAYED LETHAL WEAPONS TO MAKE A HIT JOB HERE AT ROUTE 66.
(VINCE)>> ALL THESE WISE GUYS OVER HERE, IN THE PIT AREA, WE'RE ALL BEST OF FRIENDS. ANYBODY WILL NOT DISPUTE THAT. BUT, WHEN WE GET IN THAT STAGING AREA, I DON'T KNOW HIM. HE DON'T KNOW ME. WE'RE OUT FOR BLOOD. THAT'S WHY THEY CALL US THE CHICAGO WISE GUYS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> PLUS, THERE'S GROUNDSHAKING EXHIBITION RUNS COURTESY OF ARNIE BESWICK'S SEVEN SECOND GTO - THE TAMELESS TIGER. AND, PAUL BARNES IN HIS '59 BAD CAD PINK CADILLAC. [ ENGINE REVVING ] OF COURSE, AS ALWAYS, THE EVENTS ATTRACTED THOUSANDS OF SHOW CARS, A MINDBLOWING MIX OF GORGEOUS RODS THAT COULD HAVE YOU DROOLING FOR DAYS.
(JOHN)>> IT'S AMAZING. I DON'T KNOW HOW THESE SHOW CAR JUDGES DO THIS. I COULDN'T PICK ONE OUT OVER ANOTHER ONE. I MEAN THEY'RE ALL GORGEOUS CARS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> SOON AFTER THE GATES OPENED FRIDAY TIME TRIALS ARE GOING HOT AND HEAVY. BUT, WHERE'S THE CROWD? WELL, OVER HERE IN LINE FOR A CLOSE ENCOUNTER WITH A FORMER WWF SUPERSTAR. ( )>> I LIKE SABLE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> YEP, SHE WAS KNOWN AS SABLE IN THE RING. AND, OBVIOUSLY HAD THE RACING AND WRESTLING FANS ALL REVVED UP.
(JOE)>> IF YOU WERE IN A CAR SHOW, WOULD YOU BE STOCK OR MODIFIED?
(SABLE)>> OH, I DON'T KNOW. I'M VERY INTERESTED IN BOTH OF 'EM. SO I THINK I MIGHT BE ABLE TO HAVE A CAR SHOWN IN BOTH. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OKAY, IF YOU'RE INTERESTED FOR A CARNIVAL OF COOL SHOW CARS AND SOME RED HOT RACING AS MAIN EVENTS, PLUS, EVERYTHING FROM BATHING SUITS TO BURNOUT CONTESTS TO SIDE SHOWS, WELL, THIS IS THE HIGH PERFORMANCE CIRCUS FOR YOU. THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS - ONE OF THE HORSEPOWER HAPPENINGS OF THE YEAR, AND, YOU JUST HAPPEN TO HAVE THE BEST SEAT IN THE HOUSE. ( )>> HEY, DON'T BE A WISE GUY. STAY TUNED OR ELSE. YEAH!
[ MUSIC ] [ ENGINE REVVING ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK TO ROUTE 66. THIS CAMARO'S GOT A 572 CUBIC INCH BLOWN ALCOHOL ENGINE, MAKING ABOUT 15-HUNDRED HORSES, AND IT RUNS IN THE SEVENS. NOW, THE DRIVER IS PART OF A GROUP OF RENEGADE RACERS YOU'RE GONNA LOVE CALLED THE CHICAGO WISE GUYS. [ ENGINE REVVING ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHENEVER THIS GANG OF MATCH RACERS FROM THE WINDY CITY BLOWS INTO TOWN, WELL, EACH GUY HAS ONE THING ON HIS MIND. ( )>> GO AS FAST AS YOU CAN AND, YOU KNOW, HOPEFULLY YOU'RE THERE FIRST. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> AND, ACCORDING TO THE JUNIOR MEMBER OF THE GANG ALL THE WISE GUYS ARE OUT FOR BLOOD.
(MIKE)>> YES WE ARE. THERE'S POINTS, THERE'S MONEY, YOU KNOW. SO, WE'RE OUT THERE TO WIN. THERE'S BRAGGIN' RIGHTS. AFTER THE SUN GOES DOWN AND YOU GRAB THAT FIRST BEER, THERE'S BRAGGIN RIGHTS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE SENIOR MEMBER OF THE GANG RUNS IN THIS '57 CHEVY WITH A NATURALLY ASPIRATED BIG BLOCK. YOU'VE JUST GOT A LITTLE OVER 500 CUBIC INCHES IN THIS THING. NO NITROUS, NO BLOWER, AUTOMATIC. HOW DO YOU DO IT?
(JIM)>> AH, IT'S GOT A LOT OF COMPRESSION, AND THE CONVERTER STALLS AT ABOUT 6000. AND, I USUALLY GO TO THE WOOD JUST BEFORE THE LIGHT COMES DOWN AND I DRAW 6000 ON THE CONVERTER WHEN I LEAVE. SOMEBODY ASKED MY WIFE ONE DAY WHAT WE HAD IN THE CAR AND SHE SAID HER NEW HOUSE. BUT SHE GOES WITH ME ALL THE TIME. WHEN I GO RACING, SHE'S ALWAYS THERE. AND, I'LL TELL YOU A LITTLE STORY. I WAS MARRIED TO ONE ONE TIME AND SHE SAID EITHER I GO OR THE CAR GOES. AND I STILL GOT THE CAR. ( )>> THIS IS HIS WHOLE LIFE. YOU TAKE THAT AWAY FROM HIM AND HE WOULDN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO. NOPE. WE LOVE IT.
(JOE)>> YOU DON'T EVER DRIVE THIS THING, DO YOU? WHEN I WANT GROCERIES IN A HURRY, I RUN DOWN TO THE GROCERY STORE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THE LEADER OF THE POINTS PACK IS VINCE PORTEA WHO RUNS TWO STAGES OF NITROUS IN HIS '55 BOW TIE. AND WHY?
(VINCE)>> CHEAPEST HORSEPOWER YOU CAN BUY. AND IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING WITH IT, YOU CAN REALLY GO FAST. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> APPARENTLY HE KNOWS. VINCE CONSISTENTLY GETS THIS SHOEBOX IN THE SEVENS. AND, HE'S QUICK TO POINT OUT THAT ON THE STRIP NONE OF THE WISE GUYS IS A NICE GUY.
(VINCE)>> EVERYBODY'S FRIENDS IN THE PIT AREA, BUT WHEN IT'S TIME TO RUN, THEY'RE STRANGERS. YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN? AND JOE AND I WE LIKE TO BE TOP DOGS. IF THE TRACK HOLDS UP, YOU'LL SEE THIS '55 BE NUMBER ONE AGAIN. THAT'S ALL THERE IS TO IT. I DON'T LIKE TO BRAG, BUT I GOTTA LOT OF FAITH IN THIS MOTOR. GOTTA LOT OF FAITH IN MY CREW CHIEF. HE TUNES IT UP, WE'LL GET IT GOING.
(JOE)>> YOU LIKE WORKING WITH THIS NITROUS? (JOE R.)>> YEAH, IT'S A CHALLENGE. IT'S A CHALLENGE ALL THE TIME. YOU ALWAYS RUN ON THE EDGE. LAST WEEK WE BURNED A PISTON UP. SO WE RAN A LITTLE TOO MUCH ON THE EDGE.
(JIM)>> HERE WE GO. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHILE THE WISE GUYS GET READY TO BATTLE IT OUT AGAIN, LET'S CHECK OUT A FEW CONTENDERS IN THE BRACKET RACING BASH. MIXED IN WITH THE USUAL CAMAROS AND MUSTANGS WE DISCOVERED ONE OF THE MORE CONSISTENT CHALLENGERS WAS BILL LUECK'S '66 COBRA.
(BILL)>> I LOVE THIS STUFF. I'VE BEEN DOING IT FOR MOST OF MY LIFE ON AND OFF AS A KID AND KINDA GOT BACK INTO IT NOW ABOUT FIVE YEARS AGO, AND IT'S MY LOVE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WITH A BORED AND STROKED SVO ENGINE, VICTOR JR. INTAKE, AND 1050 DOMINATOR IT RUNS HIGH NINES IN THE PRO CLASS. THINK HE GETS ANY ATTENTION WITH THIS LITTLE BLUE BULLET?
(BILL)>> AH, YEAH I DO. THERE'S NOT A LOT OF THESE AROUND TO BEGIN WITH. AND, I HAVE A LOT OF PEOPLE COME UP TO ME, AND IT MAKES ME FEEL GOOD. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHILE ON THE SUBJECT OF RARE RACERS, WHAT ABOUT THIS '70 GSX, OR IS IT? (JOE R.)>> IT STARTED OUT LIFE AS A '72 SKYLARK. AND I WANTED A GSX REAL BAD SO I JUST MADE MY OWN. I DON'T THINK ANYBODY WOULD DO THAT TO A REAL ONE. THEY'RE WORTH TOO MUCH MONEY.
(JOE)>> BRACKET RACING'S ALL ABOUT CONSISTENCY AND GETTING THE RIGHT DIALIN. HOW ARE YOU IN THE CAR THERE? (JOE R.)>> MY BUDDIES TELL ME I NEED AN ALARM CLOCK TO LEAVE AT THE CHRISTMAS TREE. BUT, SOMETIMES, SOMETIMES I'M PRETTY GOOD. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> IN SUPER PRO ONE OF SATURDAY'S MOST CONSTANT CONTENDERS WAS BECKY STRATER WHOSE '62 BUBBLE TOP BEL AIR WAS RUNNING REGULARLY IN THE MIDEIGHTS.
(BECKY)>> WE'VE GOT A 585 CUBIC INCH MOTOR IN IT, FUEL INJECTED. THE CAR WEIGHS WITH ME IN IT, WE WEIGHED IT THIS WEEKEND, SO WE WEIGH 2720. SO, WE'RE FAIRLY LIGHT WITH THIS BIG CAR. IT JUST DRIVES PRETTY MUCH LIKE YOU'RE ON A STRING. IT'S THE BIGGEST RUSH THAT YOU COULD EVER GET. AND, THE FASTER YOU GO THE BIGGER THE RUSH IS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OF COURSE, THE BIGGEST RUSH OF ALL IS THE ONE YOU GET FROM WINNING. AND, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO'S THE BADDEST OF THE BRACKET RACERS, AND WINNINGEST WISE GUY LATER HERE AT THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS. [ ENGINES REVVING ] [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> UP NEXT GET YOUR SHADES READY. WE'VE GOT SOME SHINNY SHOW CARS THAT'LL PUT YOUR EYES OUT HERE ON OUR HORSEPOWER TV SPECIAL.
[ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK. AS WE TOLD YOU EARLIER THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS A 23 YEAR TRADITION AS A CAR SHOW. WHAT DO YOU SAY WE CRUISE THE CONCOURSE AND FIND OUT WHY? (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WHAT DO YOU LIKE? FORD, CHEVY, MOPAR. OR, HOW ABOUT IMPORTS? THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS HAS 'EM ALL. FROM EXTREME TRUCKS TO CLASSIC HOT RODS. YEAH, THIS PLACE IS A CANDY STORE FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE ENTHUSIAST. AND ONE OF THE SWEETEST CARS HERE HAS TO BE THIS PROMODIFIED '97 CAMARO. FROM THE SUPER CHROMED 510 CUBIC INCH CHEVY ENGINE THAT PUTS OUT AN AMAZING 1700 HORSES WITH NITROUS, TO THE TOTALLY POLISHED MARK WILLIAMS' REAR END. YEAH, THIS ROD IS A COMPLETE PACKAGE THAT TURNS HEADS IN THE SHOW OR ON THE GO.
(BRIAN)>> GUYS WILL GO BY YOU ON THE FREEWAY AND THEY'LL LITERALLY, YOU GOTTA WATCH BECAUSE THEY WANT TO DRIFT BECAUSE THEY'RE LOOKING AT THE CAR. AND, PEOPLE JUST STOP AND GAZE ALL OVER. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> OF COURSE, THIS CAUGHT OUR ATTENTION, TOO. THE CADDY, THAT IS. THIS '59 COUPE DE VILLE HAS COME A LONG WAY FROM FACTORY WITH A DOWN AND DIRTY STANCE AND A BIG BLOWN MOTOR.
(FUJI)>> I BOUGHT THE CAR STOCK AND I WASN'T SURE IF I WAS GONNA RESTORE IT OR DO SOMETHING ELSE, AND I DID SOMETHING ELSE. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> SOMETHING ELSE IS RIGHT. RESTORERS MIGHT THINK IT'S A SIN, BUT THERE'S NO DENYING THE FLAMES MAKE THIS ONE HOT CADDY. [ MUSIC ] DRAKE DEVORE AND SON BUILT THIS '64 BARRACUDA WITH THEIR OWN SPECIAL TOUCHES. A FORWARD TILTING HOOD, CUSTOM INTERIOR, AND A SPLIT WINDOW IN THE REAR THAT CAN GULLWING OPEN. BUT THE MOST NOTICEABLE FEATURE IS THE 468 BIG BLOCK.
(DRAKE)>> THE CAR'S BUILT TO RUN HARD AND FAST. THAT'S WHY I DON'T DRIVE IT. I'M TOO OLD. I DON'T HAVE THE RESPONSES. HE DRIVES IT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> TALK ABOUT A RIDE. THIS 468 IS COMPLETELY BLOWN, WITH RACING PISTONS, STEEL CRANK AND ALL THE RACING GOODIES TO GO ALONG WITH IT. (DRAKE JR.)>> THAT'S WHAT IT'S ALL ABOUT. THAT'S THE BEST THING ABOUT IT, IS JUST GOING OUT AND DRIVING IT. THAT'S WHAT I LOVE THE MOST. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> HEY, CHECK OUT THE GRAPHICS ON THIS LATE MODEL CHEVY PICKUP. OR, THIS CREW CAB DUALLY COMPLETE WITH MINIBIKE. OR, THIS '79 CHEVY STEPSIDE WITH SUPER CHROME ENGINE AND FULLY CUSTOMIZED BED. OR, THIS TOYOTA ROADSTER?
(BUTCH)>> IT'S KIND OF A BLEND OF A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT SPORTS. IT'S PART STREET ROD, PART MINITRUCK, PART LOWRIDER. JUST A COMBINATION OF KINDA EVERYTHING. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> THIS '88 PICKUP WAS BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP WITH A POLISHED BED, A CUSTOM INTERIOR, AND WILD GRAPHICS. SO NO MATTER WHAT PART YOU PICK, THIS ROADSTER'S GOT SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WITH OVER TWO THOUSAND GREAT SHOW CARS AT THE EVENT, EACH WITH THEIR OWN UNIQUE STYLES AND SPECIAL TOUCHES, WHAT SEPARATES THE CARS THAT WILL TAKE HOME A TROPHY AND THOSE WHO WON'T? LUCKILY HEAD OFFICIAL FOR THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS BOB MILLARD IS GONNA FILL US IN ON THE THINGS JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR.
(BOB)>> IN THIS SPORT IT'S ALWAYS BEEN MOSTLY THE INDUCTION, AND BY THAT LIKE THE DUAL CARBURETORS, THE BLOWERS, THE FUEL INJECTION. WHO CAN HAVE THE HIGHEST ONE. WHO'S GOT THE SHINIEST ONE, AND WHO'S GOT THE BIGGEST ONE. THAT'S THE THINGS THAT IMPRESS THE STREET MACHINE FAMILY. IN THE STREET MACHINE SHOWS, DEFINATELY THE ENGINEERING PART IS A STRONG POINT OF THE CAR, HOW THESE CARS WERE PUT TOGETHER, AND HOW THEY'RE BUILT. HOW THEY SIT ON THE GROUND, IT'S VERY IMPORTANT. AND, THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINEERING. HERE'S A PERFECT EXAMPLE. THIS IS A GREAT LOOKING PICKUP TRUCK. LOOK AT THE DETAIL WORK IN THE DASHBOARD AND THE INTERIOR CLASH OF THE COLORS JUST FITS PERFECT TO THIS VEHICLE. THIS MAN HAS DONE A VERY, VERY NICE JOB OF FINISHING THIS OFF. THIS IS WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR IN AN INTERIOR. LOOKING FROM THE PAINT WORK, BODY WORK ON THE FIBERGLASS, EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN DONE TO IT, THEY'VE TAKEN A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO FINISH THIS CAR, FRONT TO BACK. THAT MAKES THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NUMBER ONE AND NUMBER TEN. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WELL, NOW WE KNOW WHAT THE JUDGES ARE LOOKING FOR, WE'LL FIND OUT WHO TAKES HOME SOME OF THE TOP TROPHIES, WHEN WE RETURN TO THE 23RD ANNUAL STREET MACHINE NATIONALS. [ MUSIC ]
(JOE)>> PLUS WE'LL SEE WHICH WISE GUY WINS THE ET BATTLE AND WHICH BRACKET RACERS END UP IN THE WINNER'S CIRCLE. SO STAY TUNED TO HORSEPOWER TV.
[ MUSIC ] [ ENGINE REVVING ]
(JOE)>> HI, WELCOME BACK. WELL, TODAY IT'S TIME TO FIND THE WINNERS, WHETHER IT'S RACING, SHOW CARS, BURNOUT CONTESTS, OR BATHING SUITS. FIRST THE BEAUTY - WINNER OF THE MISS STREET NATIONALS COMPETITION. IT'S LACY TRYING FROM FT. BRANCH, INDIANA. NOW THE BEASTS. THE BURNOUT COMPETITION WITH BIG FIELD OF CHALLENGERS SMOKIN 'EM UP FOR THE CROWD. AARON GERLING ROASTED THE MEATS OF HIS '67 CHEVELLE TO WIN THE CROWD'S FAVOR AND HOPEFULLY ENOUGH CASH TO BUY A NEW PAIR FOR THE REAR. IN SHOW CAR COMPETITION, REMEMBER THIS '70 OLDS OF JIM MARTINO'S? WELL, THE JUDGES GAVE HIS RIDE THE NOD FOR BEST OF SHOW HONORS. WHILE DRAKE DEVORE'S '64 CUDA WON BEST ENGINE. AND BRIAN BASIC'S '97 CAMARO WAS NAMED A GRAND CHAMPION. [ ENGINE REVVING ] NOW, LET'S GET BACK TO THE TRACK, SO TO SPEAK. IN PRO DRAG BILL LUECK AND HIS COBRA WERE WINNING UP UNTIL FOURTH ROUND ELIMINATIONS. WHILE A TRUCK DRIVER FROM ILLINOIS WITH A '71 CAMARO, BUILT ON A TIGHT BUDGET, FOUGHT HIS WAY UP TO A SEMIFINAL BYE RUN.
(GARY)>> BEEN A LONG TIME WAITING. LONG TIME WAITING. MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE HERE. I'M SO HAPPY MY KIDS ARE HERE. I HAD TO WORK FOR THAT LAST ONE. CUT A 503 LIGHT AND RAN ONE OFF MY DIALIN. SO, SOMEBODY'S LOOKING OUT FOR ME. IT'S MY WEEKEND.
(JOE)>> WELL, ALMOST. IN A CLOSE FINAL RACE, GARY LOST TO CLARENCE HARDING IN HIS 396 CHEVELLE WHO RAN ONE HUNDREDTH OVER HIS DIALIN TO TAKE THE TOP PRIZE.
(CLARENCE)>> YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT A CONSISTENT CAR. THAT'S THE MAIN THING. I WISH I WAS AS CONSISTENT AS THE CAR IS. YOU KNOW, IT USUALLY RUNS RIGHT ON. IT NEVER FAILED ME YET. JUST HAVE TO WORK AT THEM LIGHTS A LITTLE MORE AND MAYBE WE'LL DO GOOD AGAIN. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> NOW, SUPER PRO, WHERE BECKY STRATER CONTINUED RUNNING IN THE EIGHTS BUT NOT CLOSE ENOUGH TO HER DIALIN TO STAY IN THE HUNT. THE WINNER - ANOTHER CHEVELLE. THIS TIME RICH GRISE'S '66 THAT RAN JUST SIXTHOUSANDTHS OFF HIS NUMBER.
(RICH)>> WE'VE BEEN WORKING WITH THE CAR ALL DAY AND WE HAD AN EARLY MISS IN THE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOO FAT. SO, WE KEPT PLAYING WITH THE CARBS, BUT THE WEATHER KEPT CHANGING, SO WE JUST TOOK A GUESS ON THE LAST JETTING AND WE HIT IT RIGHT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> AND WHAT ADVICE CAN RICH GIVE TO YOU TO BE A WINNING BRACKET RACER?
(RICH)>> IF YOU CAN RACE EVERY WEEK YOU'LL BE DEAD ON. I MEAN IT'S JUST PRACTICE. LIKE ANYTHING, PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> MEANWHILE, LET'S SEE WHAT'S COOKING IN THE WISE GUYS' PITS.
(ARMANDO)>> LOOK AT HERE. YOU CAN TELL A GOOD COOK WHEN YOU SEE ONE. THIS IS THE WISE GUYS, RIGHT HERE. GOT THE AVOCADOS AND THE TORTILLAS. NOW, THAT'S TEX MEX COOKING FOR YOU, JOE. THIS IS WHAT YOU CALL FAJITAS. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WITH THE FINAL MATCH RACE COMING UP - ALL THE WEEKEND'S POINTS AND PRIDE ARE ON THE LINE.
(VINCE)>> WE STEPPED IT UP. WE PUT IT BACK TO THE TUNE UP THAT WE HAD AT ANOTHER TRACK AT WHICH IT RAN A 7.26. SO, IT SHOULD RUN REAL CLOSE TO THAT TODAY IF THE AIR KEEPS UP NICE AND FRESH.
(JIM)>> THAT'S 17-HUNDRED FEET THERE AND ANYTHING BELOW 2000 IS REAL GOOD AIR. SO, WE FIGURE THE CAR RAN FIFTY YESTERDAY. WE FIGURE IT'LL RUN A THIRTY TODAY. [ MUSIC ] (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> JIM REGENAUR'S '57 RAN DOWN THIS ALCOHOL BLOWN WILLYS IN THE MIDEIGHTS AT 160 MILES AN HOUR.
(JIM)>> IN THE HEAT OF THE DAY WE RAN 8.49, 160. SO, HAPPY WITH THAT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> BUT THE TOP DOG OF THE DAY WAS VINCE PORTERA IN HIS NITROUS SPRAYED '55 CHEVY. THIS WISE GUY RAN A WEEKEND BEST ET OF 7.64 AT 189 MILES AN HOUR.
(VINCE)>> IT WAS A REAL GOOD RUN ON A WEAK CLUTCH. CAT HAS NINE LIVES. A CLUTCH ONLY HAS MAYBE ONE OR TWO. AND, I THINK I USED THEM ALL. BUT IT RAN ALRIGHT. 'COULD RAN A LITTLE BIT BETTER. I'M NOT REALLY SATISFIED WITH IT. (JOE OFF CAMERA)>> WELL, THE FANS SHOULD BE STAISFIED WITH THE SPECTACLE THEY GOT THIS WEEKEND. ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S BIGGEST CAR SHOWS. NOW WITH DOWN AND DIRTY DRAG RACING. YEAH, THE STREET MACHINE NATIONALS IS A BONAFIDE HORSEPOWER HAPPENING, AND I'M GLAD WE HAPPENED TO DROP IN, AREN'T YOU? ()>> STAY TUNED FOR HORSEPOWER TV.
(NARRATOR)>> NOW HORSEPOWER'S HOT PARTS. BROUGHT TO YOU BY SUMMIT RACING EQUIPMENT. YOUR SOURCE FOR HIGH PERFORMANCE PARTS FOR 30 YEARS.
(JOE)>> WELL, IT WOULDN'T BE HORSEPOWER TV WITHOUT HOT PARTS, SO TODAY WE'D LIKE TO KEEP IT AT THE TRACK AND SHOW YOU SOME STUFF WE FOUND HERE ON THE MIDWAY. NOW OVER THE YEARS, A LOT OF YOU GUYS HAVE BEEN RACING ON WELD DRAG LIGHTS, BUT DID YOU KNOW THERE'S A NEW VERSION FOR YOUR STREET RIDE, AS WELL. IT'S CALL THE DRAG LIGHT XP, THAT'S MADE ESPECIALLY FOR LATE MODEL CAMAROS AND MUSTANGS WITH LARGER BRAKE ASSEMBLIES. IT'S A TWOPIECE WHEEL MADE OF LIGHTWEIGHT ALUMINUM AND FULLY POLISHED FOR A REAL SHOWCAR LOOK. SO IF YOU LIKE TO SHOW OFF YOUR STREET MACHINE WITH A HOT RACING LOOK, YOU CAN FOR COOL $150 AND UP. AUTOMETER'S BEEN MAKING INSTRUMENT GAUGES FOR STREET RODS AND RACE CARS FOR MANY YEARS BUT LET'S SHED SOME LIGHT ON SOMETHING NEW HERE. IT'S CALLED A SUPER LIGHT AND IT'S GOT A SWITCH IN THE BACK WITH A LOW SETTING FOR NIGHT TIME RACING, MEDIUM, AND HIGH FOR BRIGHT DAYLIGHT. SO IF YOU'VE BEEN MISSING SHIFTS LATELY WELL MAYBE YOU BETTER SEE THE LIGHT AND GET ONE FOR ABOUT $45 BUCKS. WHETHER YOU'RE RACING OR JUST OUT CRUISING A BUSTED WATER HOSE COULD PUT YOU IN THE PITS INDEFINITELY. THAT'S WHY EDELBROCK CAME UP WITH THIS NEW PRODUCT CALLED POWERBOND SELFSEALING WRAP. NOW THIS STUFF ACTUALLY SHRINKS TO FORM AN AIRTIGHT, WATERPROOF, SOLID PIECE OF RUBBER. IT'S A GOOD TEMPORARY FIX FOR BELTS AND HOSES, WORKS WET OR DRY, GREASY OR DIRTY, AND COSTS ABOUT $10 A ROLL. WELL THAT'S A WRAP IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE. HERE'S A LOOK AT NEXT WEEK'S SHOW. WE'LL KICK OFF OUR CRATE MOTOR BUILDUP ON "PROJECT BLUE THUNDER" WITH A 502 CUBE ENGINE THAT MAKES 502 HORSES. WE'LL HEAD TO WEST PALM BEACH FOR A FORD LOVER'S PARADISE. WHERE THE BLUE OVAL BOYS DO BATTLE ON THE STRIP. PLUS WE'VE GOT A COOL TIP ON HOW TO USE WEATHER STRIPPING TO MAKE YOUR HOT ROD A REAL SHOW STOPPER. MEANWHILE THE TRACK'S DOWN, THE STANDS ARE EMPTY, AND IT'S TIME TO HEAD HOME BUT REMEMBER, HIGH PERFORMANCE FUN IS WHAT THIS SHOW IS ALL ABOUT. [ MUSIC ]
(NARRATOR)>> HORSEPOWER TV IS AN RTM PRODUCTION.
