The South is Back & So is Print!
J ust days before shipping this issue to the printer we received some great news from the main office in Memphis, Tennesse. The revered Street Rod Nationals South will be back on the NSRA Event Schedule in 2026. It was a very disappointing time for many rodders when the 51st Street Rod Nationals South didn’t make it on the 2025 Event Schedule. Since then, finding a suitable facility with available dates to bring the South to a new location became priority one after the great 50th Anniversary event at Chilhowee Park & Exposition Center in 2024. In 2026 the 51st Street Rod Nationals South will be held in Johnson City, Tennessee, May 8- 9, 2026. Ideally situated in one of the hotbeds of today’s rodding activity, the “Appalachian Fair” facil- ity will be ready for any size gathering. From thrilling festivals to engaging community events, there’s always something happening at this lively fairground, including concerts and touring All Star Monster Trucks. Appalachian Fair is in an area known as the “Tri-Cities” comprising the cities of Johnson City, Kingsport, Bristol, plus surrounding smaller towns and communities in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. All three cities are in Northeast Tennessee, while Bristol has a twin city of the same name in Virginia. The Tri-Cities, considered one population center, is the fifth largest in Tennessee. For those cruising to the South in Knoxville for many years we hope they remember the beautiful lake, “Lobeck’s Corner,” the street leading to the underpass and the great people and cars that came together every year. But change is a part of life and no matter how small or big, it’s how we react after the change that really matters. We can’t avoid change in our lives, but we can create new chapters. The 51st Street Rod Nationals South will be the first page of a new chapter for the South as it continues a legacy as one of the best rodding events around. Such is the case today with electronic communi- cation’s takeover of the print world as we knew it only 15 years ago. When that chapter closed and a new one had everyone ‘switching over’ to web traffic and gaining worldwide eyeballs, savvy mar- keters responded by understanding the value of internet presence, while not forgetting the value of print and sponsorships to make sure their company
doesn’t fall “out of sight—out of mind” with their core customers. Industry-leading fastener manufacturer ARP (Automotive Racing Products) has just published and updated a full-line catalog for 2025. The 180- page, full-color publication details the 5,500-plus fastener kits manufactured by ARP. A large section
is devoted to v a l u a b l e t echn i ca l information with several dozen pages devoted to the science of fastener manufactur- ing and their proper use. In addition to the many kits c o v e r i ng engine, driv- eline and accessory fas- teners, the
catalog details the many specialty products and tools from ARP that facilitate efficient engine assembly. This catalog represents a new trend in market- ing where more and more companies are using all assets available, including online viewing, capabili- ties to download a PDF of the catalog, or this print- ed version that can be requested at www.ARP- bolts.com. They even provide personalized techni- cal assistance by calling 800-826-3045. Not only does ARP sponsor some of the most prestigious awards in our industry they also make sure they’ll be present in every shop with a bonus 22” x 11” pull-out poster of the record-holding “Speed Demon” streamliner. Our lives would be boring if they could be told in one chapter so embrace change because you never know what the next chapter will bring.
Tom Vogele tomvogele@verizon.net
8 APRIL 2025
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