By Ben Shelton

Even though my focal point in the motorsports realm is dirt track racing, I love to check out and experience all facets of our great sport. Whether it’s circle track, drag racing, or even monster trucks, I’ve experienced about everything at one time or another. Although there were a few things in the world of racing I haven’t had a chance to experience thus far, I’ve always felt as if I still had a pretty good grasp of what they were about. However, on Tuesday, June 4, I came to realize I just don’t know as much as I thought I did.

I’ve heard about the Hot Rod Power Tour for years via friends, magazine articles, TV shows and other various outlets. I thought it was a neat concept, but looking back, I guess I never really took the time to learn about it. As far as I knew, it was a group of a few dozen muscle car enthusiasts who spent a week driving from town to town to show off their prized hot rods. So, when COMP Cams asked me to help emcee an engine builder competition at the Memphis stop on the 2013 edition of the traveling road show, I didn’t expect it to be a real big deal. However, minutes into my day, I quickly learned just how big of a deal it really is.

The summer months are a crazy, busy time for traveling to dirt track events for me, and early June is no exception. So, when I was asked by Chris Douglas from COMP Cams to assist with their booth at the Hot Rod Power Tour stop in Memphis on Tuesday, June 4, my first thought was that it would just be one more busy day added to my schedule for the month.

As I drove to Memphis Motorsports Park on that warm and sunny morning, I began to prepare mentally for what I was going to see. I knew that a car show, exhibition drag races, and vendors were all part of the day’s events. However, beyond that, I’ll admit I didn’t know what to expect, although I just assumed it wouldn’t be that much. Arriving at the facility just before noon, I was shocked to notice that traffic was at a near standstill on the surrounding roads. There was no construction zone or traffic accident, but rather hundreds and hundreds of the most awesome hot rods I’ve ever seen waiting to enter the property. Even more fascinating to me was the fact that hundreds of these colorful, mint-condition show cars were already parked and on display.

After waiting my turn in line to enter the facility, I finally made my way into the general parking area, and began my afternoon excursion. Pretty much every make, model and year of performance car was on display, with domestic and international models fully represented. It amazed me how these cars, some of which were over 50-60 years old, were as spotless and authentic as the day they left the showroom floor. Everything from cars to trucks to motorcycles to ambulances, and even hearses, filed relentlessly into the display area. It was simply amazing to see the detail.

As I spent the next few hours looking/drooling at these amazing vehicles, I continued to take note that hot rods just kept pouring into the facility. Each car that came in had a driver and at least one or two passengers. I quickly learned that in most cases the owners of these cars were just as interesting as the prized possessions they were displaying. They came from all corners of the world, and they all had their own unique story about how they came to own their hot rod and what upgrades they had made. I found it quite comical that any time I showed a strong interest in one of the hot rods, the owner would tell me with a grin that, for the right price, it was for sale. I feel confident in my assumption that the right price for many of these awesome vehicles would easily exceed my bank account balance.

As the day progressed, the drag strip was opened for hot rodders to make exhibition passes for bragging rights. As I walked up to the grandstand area, I was reminded of my lack of knowledge about most muscle and performance cars. Sure, I can identify Mustangs, Camaros, Chevelles, Corvettes, and the like, but beyond that, generally I get terminally lost. Don’t even think for a minute that I can tell you the model year of a car, either.

However, what I lacked in my knowledge was more than compensated for by the masses of spectators who had come together to be a part of the day’s events. As a car would approach the staging area, it was almost a competition among onlookers to identify the make, model, year, and stock engine capacity of the vehicle. I was especially fascinated by the knowledge and passion of one young onlooker, who was maybe 6 years old. As each car would approach, he would look up at his dad, and say, “Dad, is that a such and such with a such and such motor?” I would say nine out of 10 times the dad would look down and say, “Yep, son, you’re right.” I probably learned more about performance cars from listening to that little boy in one afternoon than I ever have prior. It was really a neat deal.

100 of the top hot rods were invited to display their entries on Beale Street.

Later that afternoon, the COMP Cams Engine Builder competition was held as a large group of fans watched two teams go head-to-head to see who could build a small-block engine in the least amount of time. On that hot and sweltering afternoon, a pair of friends from Missouri would set a new record of less than 30 minutes in front of an approving crowd.

About 5 p.m., when the final run had been made down the drag strip, the day’s events were far from over, as 100 of the top hot rods were invited to display their entries on Beale Street. Again, thousands of people filled the streets of downtown Memphis to get up-close-and-personal views of some of man’s greatest creations. Kids of all ages studied every little detail with wide eyes. It was truly a family outing.

By 9 that evening, I was exhausted and began my drive home. Everything I had seen and heard throughout the day was running in circles in my mind, and, needless to say, my eyes had been opened to a whole different realm of motorsports. Just as I am passionate about watching cars go in circles, these hot rodders are passionate about making their cars shine and still look brand new even after several decades removed from the production line.

One thing is for sure: After that daylong venture, I was hooked. I’ll eagerly be anticipating next year when the Hot Rod Power Tour thunders into town once again. If you’ve never checked it out before, I encourage you to do so. If you have checked it out before, I don’t have to say anything, because I know you are most likely already planning to return.