We cruised back to Speedway Motors for our 8:00 AM driver’s meeting. We were surrounded by cars, both in front of us. . .

and behind us.

Once again, I’m stuck in the middle of the pack.

With time on my hands, I walked the rows, looking for old friends, cool cars and something to do.

Up front, I found old friend Tom Purvis. Tom’s the automotive instructor at Northwest Kansas Vo-Tech School out in Goodland. We’ve been fortunate enough to stop in Goodland several times, and Tom always opens the bay doors and tool boxes to help out Tourers. Here he details-out his ’60 El Camino.

Looks like a high-quality product he’s using.

Gary’s buddy Brett of Air Ride Technologies cleaned his ’68 Bonneville, too. It’s one sweet ride.

With time on our hands, several folks decided to have a tire changing contest. This ’64 Cutlass convertible took first place. . . 

when his challenger couldn’t even find the lug nuts, or the wheel they were attached to.

It’s a Trans Am of some sort, I think.

As folks finished-up their packing. . .

we headed up to the front for the driver’s meeting. We knew there was bad news when the emcee, Doc Riley, started-out by saying, “Don’t shoot the messenger.”

Come to find out it was only a minor route change because of construction.

Kansas City, here we come! Just north of KC is St. Joseph.

The Pony Express started there in the late 1800’s, running mail to California. It lasted about 2 years before the telegraph put them out of business. Why do I remember this? Because I helped my daughter Pamela study for a 5th grade Social Studies test, that’s why. Of course, I can remember Pony Express trivia, but not where I parked my car at the airport. Go figure.

By the way, the Oregon Trail started out from St. Joseph, too. If anyone cares.

Gary’s heart rate increased by 20 beats per minute when we caught this rodded ’60 Rambler wagon.

But, it looks like some miscreants stole his door handles. Too bad, it was a nice car.

After our roundabout entrance into the Truman Sports Complex, I exercised my journalistic privilege to leave Gary and Jim behind in search of good stories and pictures. I found Moose of Rad Rides by Troy cleaning up QuadraDuece 2 with some quality products. . .

and the MSD guys, Todd Ryden and Ed “The Full” Monte, cleaning their jumbo-sized Ford four-wheel-drive behemoth.

What great guys they are.

Todd’s mother E-mailed me to save her one of our Power Tour limited edition T-shirts. Seems as though she’s dusting off the ol’ Grand National and doing a run down to Columbus to see her favorite son when we stop there. Better be on your best behavior, Todd, or I’ll tell your mother.

Parked near us in Arrowhead Stadium’s parking lot was this plain-looking Shelby Cobra. I did my usual half-hearted check of the inner fenders, and they were smooth metal on the inside, not the usual fiberglass. The owner was kind enough to show me this was an original, unmolested 289 Cobra of late ’64 production.

And he drives it. He’s my hero of the day.

Others were not so fortunate. This cherry Chevelle had a minor tranny problem.

Fortunately, there were lots of friendly Tourers to help out and get it repaired in short order.

Up on stage, the crowd was even more impressive.

Joe Sebergandio, Hot Rod’s chief honcho of all things Power Tour related (on the left), and Doc Riley, the ever-talking emcee out front, worked the crowd hard. A local rodder won our bucket-o’-wax, and a fine Mothers T-shirt created just for the Power Tour. Here I explain to Doc why T-shirts make great road clothes — even if they do wrinkle.

Doc offered to sing for a T-shirt, but I suggested he sing far, far, away.

Like in another state.