2003 Vegas Nationals - On the Road Again

Summertime is upon us, and the shows are starting to fill every available weekend for show-truck owners, builders, and enthusiasts. Most truck shows today feature a show-'n'-shine competition, bikini contest, burnout competition, and some sort of lowest truck contest, but lack any sort of event leading up to the activities at the show. For the past three years, the staff of Truckin' has coordinated what we call the State 2 State Cruise to our annual Truckin' Nationals show. The first two years took us to Firebird Raceway in Phoenix, where some of the world's most radical trucks battled it out on the showfield and drag strip.

This year, with a new locale at the Fremont Street Experience in downtown Las Vegas, and the support of presenting sponsors Chevy trucks, J.C. Whitney, and Vortec Engines, enthusiasts from all over flocked to Southern California, where our journey to the Truckin' & Sport Truck Vegas Nationals began. On the morning of June 6th, over 250 slammed and lifted haulers, and 400-plus people began filling up the parking lot at Dealers Sport Truck in Las Alamitos, California, to kick off a day of cruising and touring some of Southern California's most notable aftermarket parts businesses.

Stop 1: Dealers Sport Truck

The scene at Dealers included a long line of participants awaiting their goodie bags and cruise information, while others wandered through the spotless and well-decorated Dealers Sport Truck showroom, checking out all the hot aftermarket products to dress up their sport truck. Out in the Dealers Sport Truck parking lot, enthusiasts were kept busy checking out all the hot late-model and classic trucks in attendance, not wasting any time getting to know those individuals who for the next seven or eight hours they would be sharing the road with.

Before the convoy of trucks parked all around the Dealers Sport Truck facility and their owners hit the road, cruise and show coordinator Amber Pierce explained which lead vehicles the cruisers needed to follow, and then a quick raffle was done for a $100 gift certificate to Dealers Sport Truck. Company owner Bob Kashata presented the gift certificate to the lucky recipients, and it was off to the next stop at Gibson Performance Exhaust in Corona, California.

Stop 2: Gibson Performance Exhaust

After the morning was rolling, and cruisers had woken up from the sight of killer custom trucks rolling into Dealers Sport Truck, the streets and parking areas around Gibson Performance Exhaust in Corona, California, were invaded with trucks of all different makes and models, featuring various degrees of customizing. As owners and their significant others poured from their cabs, company owners Ron and Julie Gibson, along with son Shawn Gibson, greeted the enthusiastic crowd and hosted guided tours through the Gibson manufacturing facility.

Participants were treated with a good view of where some of the industry's best aftermarket exhaust systems are made. In front of Gibson's, enthusiasts were kept busy peering at all the rail-dragging and cloud-scraping trucks packed from tailgate to grille all throughout the Gibson grounds. Gearhead conversations were prominent as the crowd gathered to catch Gibson apparel, which was being tossed from the roof down to the enthusiastic crowd below.

After the goodies from Gibson were caught by all the lucky participants, representatives from Gibson raffled off an after-cat exhaust system to one lucky cruiser, and the race was off to the next stop at American Products Company (APC), just down the freeway in Corona.

Stop 3: American Products Company

Arriving at APC in Corona, participants scrambled to park their trucks and were welcomed by APC representatives to tour the manufacturing and tooling facilities. As cruisers walked through the huge American Products Company manufacturing facility, many were amazed as day-to-day operations of the shop unfolded right before their eyes. Outside the shop, cruise participants formed an orderly line to receive several APC goodies, including stickers and shirts, to name a few. Cold drinks were provided by APC to keep the cruisers' energy level high for the long drive ahead to the City of Sin.

Out in front of the American Products Company facility, cruisers strolled the grounds checking out the rides they missed at the previous two stops, and mixed and mingled with other cruise participants. Once everyone had finished the tour and had an opportunity to catch a glimpse of all the radical rides in attendance, the crowd was gathered for a quick raffle where a $50 gift certificate from Stylin' Concepts was presented to one lucky cruiser who had the winning ticket. Upon completion of the exciting activities over at American Products Company, it was off to the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California.

Stop 4: National Hot Rod Association Motorsports Museum

Cruisers rolled into the parking lot at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and were ready for the down-home barbecue grub being prepared. Enthusiasts quickly emerged from their slammed and lifted pickups and bolted to the concession stand to receive their freshly grilled hamburger, french fries, and cold beverage of their choice.

Custom trucks filled the NHRA museum parking lot as far as the eye could see, and banners from several of the event title sponsors, including J.C. Whitney and Chevy Trucks, occupied the fencing in front of the museum. A few Truckin' staffers grabbed the opportunity to photograph a few of the cruise's nicest rides in front of the museum. After most of the participants finished downing the delicious burgers and fries, it was off to the inside of the museum with free access to go back in time and check out some of the world's most famous race cars, hot rods, and even world-record holders.

After the cruisers were given ample time to check out the fascinating NHRA museum and its surroundings, a raffle was held for a $100 gift certificate from J.C. Whitney. J.C. Whitney's Gene Geiger presented the gift certificate to one lucky cruise participant before the 250-plus vehicles occupying the museum parking lot were fired up, dropped into gear, and navigated toward Vegas.

On the Road

As daylight began to fade, and after a day of touring various facilities and mixing it up with other enthusiasts, it was time to do some serious highway hauling to get to Vegas and start enjoying the city that never sleeps. Cruisers seemed to take their time and enjoy the drive down I-15 as the Truckin' SuperCrew motored up next to many of them, and daring Truckin' photographers popped their heads and cameras out the windows to capture a little on-the-road action.

Other motorists had trouble keeping their eyes on the road, as high and low custom painted haulers whizzed by. As the trucks trickled onto the strip in Vegas and motored downtown, the Fremont Street Experience quickly became congested with hot haulers rolling under the bright lights, as owners searched for a suitable show spot.

Our 3rd annual State 2 State Cruise had gone off without a hitch, and to the best of our knowledge, everyone made it to Vegas safely. Upon arrival, a welcome party was held on Fremont Street and hosted by Joe Morrow and Linda Hargrave of AIM Industries. Many cruisers enjoyed relaxing after a long day of driving with cold beverages and barbecue chicken. If you didn't make it on the State 2 State Cruise or to this year's Truckin' & Sport Truck Vegas Nationals, keep an eye on the magazine for details on next year's event. It is a great time you won't want to miss.