It was pouring rain Saturday morning, and halfway to Pomona I realized I forgot my camera battery. I kept driving – If I were to turn around I thought, for sure, I would miss the Roadkill meet and greet that I was already running late to. But, with all odds against me, I made it in time to confess my love to Mike Finnegan. All I left with was a photograph (signed by Finnegan, Steve Dulcich, and David Freiburger) and a Blasphemi t-shirt, but I would still say the day was a success.

The season opener’s vendor row and pits were bustling per usual, with tons of cool souvenirs, free Chevy t-shirts, free Mello Yello, and best of all, free Red Robin french fries and a couple of badass rides. There were about a dozen “show cars” sitting in the vendor areas, and a few of them caught my eye – a gorgeous ’65 Shelby GT350, a couple of Vitamin C Roadrunners, and a Camaro RS that was actually up for sale.

After spending plenty of time drooling over the cars in the vendor areas and grabbing some adult beverages, I made my way to the stands. With Courtney Force’s recent retirement (or whatever we’re calling it), she was there, trackside, rooting for John. The electric COPO Camaro “eCOPO” returned to the drag strip, where it yet again dominated, all without making a peep. Friday, it ran a 10.02, then Saturday it made it into the 9s – which means it beat the current full-body electric drag race record. Robert Hight (Funny Car), Steve Torrence (Top Fuel) and Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock) took first place in qualifications. You can read more about the 2019 Winternationals’ results HERE.