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Auto enthusiasts come out for Goodguys Southeastern Nationals
Photo by James Nix
Members of the Goodguys auto club show off and race their cars at the zMax Dragway Friday afternoon.
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Published: November 1, 2009
Some were taking photos at Lowe's Motor Speedway, while others were wiping down their vehicles, but most who came to the Goodguys 16th Southeastern Nationals on Saturday were doing what they came to do, see and talk about cars.
More than 2,200 pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars, classics, muscle cars and trucks were at the show this weekend, which will continue today. A few of the cars included a 1969 Cutlass, a 1940 Studebaker and a 1971 Triumph Spitfire.
The car show usually has about 60,000 spectators. Dave Farley, entertainment director for Goodguys, said the turnout has seemed about the same this year.
"The selling points (are that we) always have live entertainment," Farley said. "We have the clown for kids and face painting. It's a family event. There's stuff for everybody."
But many people said they came for the cars.
"I just like the cars, and it's a good place to have (the show)," said Hubert Styles, of Stanley, N.C. "It's got a little of everything."
Joy Sharp and Joel Sharp, of Camp Creek, W.Va., agreed. They come to the show every year and were celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary there this weekend.
They own a 1953 Ford truck, which they are currently restoring, and came to show it and see if there were any cars to trade. The Sharps also said they enjoy seeing what others have done to their cars to get ideas.
"I've been a car nut as long as I can remember," Joel Sharp said.
He not only has made his wife into a "car nut," but also transformed future generations in his family into car fans. His daughter likes old cars and his grandchildren do, too.
Ronnie Call, of North Wilkesboro, could relate. He made sure to bring his son, Brandon, 15, to the show.
"Stuff like this keeps him out of trouble, and it keeps me out of trouble," Call said. "I'd rather have him looking at stuff like this."
Call also was trying to get his friend to buy a Chevy Camaro at the show.
There were many cars for sale, including Ronnie Cheshire's 1952 Studebaker, which he was selling for $27,000. Cheshire was hoping to sell it so he could move onto another project.
"I haven't seen anything (here)," Cheshire said. "I'll wait for something to jump out at me. I found this (Studebaker) about three blocks from my shop at home. As soon as I walked in, I had to have it."
Cheshire said he fell in love with old cars because his dad always had older ones around. That love for cars has continued in his family, because his granddaughter also is a fan of them.
A sense of family was something Cheshire and others commented on at the show. The conversations about cars and being able to admire the vehicles were what it was all about for many people.
"You feel at home here, with people with the same interests," Cheshire said.
The show will continue today from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Events at the show today are a church service at 10 a.m., a free kids model make n' take at 11 a.m. and live music at noon and 1:20 p.m. The awards show will be at 2:22 p.m. today, at the main stage.
Tickets are available at the gate or online at www.good-guys.com.
Tickets are $17 for adults, $6 for ages 7 to 12 and free for children under age 6. Parking for the event is $5.
Contact reporter Jessica Groover: 704-789-9152
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