7:00 am. It can’t be 7:00 am! I just went to sleep three hours ago. You see, there was a slight glitch with the modem. But hours of troubleshooting finally revealed the obscure, but easily fixed problem. At least I have this great view of the Hollywood Hills to keep me company through the early morning hours.

8:30 am. Once again we arrive at the Petersen Automotive Museum for the much anticipated driver’s meeting. Naturally, Dennis takes the opportunity to show off the Nova’s powerplant.

For the second day in a row, the museum’s parking garage is packed with tons of ultra-cool cars that I can only dream of owning.

A cast of thousands turned out for the driver’s meeting.

LAPD handled traffic control for the start of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Even with their help, traffic quickly ground to a halt on Fairfax as we rolled toward Interstate 10.

Ford Motorsport made a huge splash this year with their brilliant red roadster (our favorite color), two Mustang SVT Cobras and the 6.1 liter Cobra R concept car. They even sponsored this evening’s cruise night at the Las Vegas Speedway.

Jack’s back. And right behind him (driving the blue roadster) is Hot Rod Magazine publisher Jim Savas.

The Nova gets a bit bumpy at high speeds. How fast are we going — 98 miles per hour? Could the speedometer be broken? Maybe it is and maybe it’s not. . . 

Those familiar with the highway between Southern California and Las Vegas will recognize this road sign — ZXYZX. Remember, ZXYZX is as fun to pronounce as it is to visit.

Just over the Nevada border resides Stateline Casino. Our mechanic, who regularly drag races our ’67 El Camino at local events, once described the Stateline roller coaster as, “the closest thing to death I’ve ever experienced.” Wow, sounds like great family fun to me. In fact, bring the whole family; wife, kids and the grandparents (don’t forget a couple of spare pacemakers — just in case).

“All right, how did they find out we were coming — it was SUPPOSED to be a surprise.”

Sometimes it seemed like we spent more time waiting in line than we did driving. Pictured in the foreground is the Mothers® ’63 Nova and about a billion other vehicles waiting to enter the Las Vegas Speedway.

Once inside, everyone got a chance to cruise the oval track.

Yes, you’re absolutely right. It’s another gratuitous shot of our Mothers® ’63 Nova on the track at LV Speedway.

And so the day, much as it began, ends — driving, forever driving.