Returning to Holley’s LS Fest East 2024 was like stepping back into a vivid dream; one where the sound of freedom ringing, the scent of burning rubber, and the thrill of speed come alive. This event is more than just a car show – it’s a living, breathing embodiment of the passion and ingenuity that fuels the LS community. As I walked through the gates, I felt that same spark that ignited my journey last year, a sense of belonging to something bigger than myself. Whether I was swapping stories with LS fans, marveling at the incredible builds, or feeling the earth shake from open headers and cutouts, I knew I was home. This year’s LS Fest East was a celebration of that community, a nod to the power of shared passion and the unrelenting pursuit of performance.
Credit Where Credit Is Due
The track prep tractor has some of the best E.T’s at the track.
Before we jump into the details of my trip to LS Fest East, it’s important that the team at Beach Bend Raceway gets the credit they deserve. They have a great racetrack that is capable of hosting multiple events all under the umbrella of LS Fest. A car show, drag racing, autocross, drifting, and more.
Getting To Bowling Green
Located just north of Columbia, Missouri, getting to the hotel in Bowling Green, Kentucky is a trip that can be rounded up to 7 hours. Driving a 2023 Camaro 2SS with some work done to it makes for an eventful trip. But having your buddy tag along in his 2017 Camaro Zl1 makes the trip even better. The 7 hour trip was filled with multiple flyby’s and other “Mexico” activities.
Gas station stops were a frequent thing for us.
Admittedly, the trip did get started with an installer error. Quite literally, the day before I left last year for LS Fest East 2023, I finished a header install on my ’23 Camaro that had a little over 1,000 miles on it. In the process I threw on some new spark plug wires to fit around the new 2-inch header tubes. Well, this year during my road trip pre-check, I somehow managed to either miss a plug wire very close to the header, or I bumped a plug wire while checking the header. Either which way, less than 5 miles before I got on the interstate, I quickly found out there was an issue.
Luckily, I am no better than the average car guy and I hoarded the factory plug wires in my trunk for a year.
A Homecoming of Horsepower
As I stepped through the gates, a wave of familiarity washed over me. The large venue, the chaotic noises, the gleaming rows of LS-powered vehicles – it was like slipping back into a trance. But this year, there was a new layer of comfort, a sense of coming home to a community that shares my passion.
Everyone was there for a good time and the smiles were contagious. Especially, when you’re getting passed by a mini-Jeep.
The car show was a display of creativity and craftsmanship, each vehicle a insight into the owner’s ingenuity and dedication. I wandered the aisles, taking mental notes, marveling at the meticulous builds and crazy swaps. This year, there were faces to recognize instead of an event filled with strangers, fellow enthusiasts who greeted me with smiles and firm handshakes. A sense of shared purpose that transcends beyond a hobby was in the air.
Drag Racing: Where Heroes are Made
The dragstrip is the beating heart of LS Fest, the crucible where machines are tested and legends are forged. Last year, I watched in awe as cars tore down the quarter-mile, their LS engines roaring like unleashed beasts. This year, I was better prepared for the sensory onslaught, my heart pounding in sync with the revving engines.
High-octane racing made the drag racing an addictive event to watch, as always.
I spent hours in the staging lanes, soaking up the electric atmosphere. Despite the competitive tension, there was a sense of brotherhood among the racers, a shared understanding that transcends individual rivalries. Competitors offered words of encouragement, shared advice, and even lent a hand when needed. It was a powerful reminder that at its core, the LS community is about more than just speed – it’s about the bonds we forge in pursuit of a common passion.
The staging lanes is where competitors became friends and anxiousness was shared.
Autocross and Drifting: Precision and Power
The autocross and drifting courses were a showcase of driving skill, a testament to the agility and responsiveness of the LS platform. I watched in awe as drivers danced through the cones, their vehicles reacting with precision to every input. Each run was a masterclass in car control, a display of the driver’s skill and the machine’s capabilities.
The instant smoke show from the drifters made burnouts seem boring.
The drifting action was mesmerizing, plumes of smoke hanging in the air as drivers pushed their vehicles to the edge of adhesion. I could feel the heat emanating from the smoking tires, the roar of the engines vibrating through my chest. Each run was a display of raw power and delicate control, the drivers masterfully manipulating their vehicles through the course.
A Special Surprise
A quick background story for this next part. My dad has an automotive history just like most other younger enthusiast. He started building cars when he was a young teenager and it was passed down from his dad as well. Well, around the time I was 14 years old or so, the idea of cars being more than a machine to get from point A to point B finally hit me. This led me down a path of being deep into the automotive industry and attending events like SEMA, PRI, and anything else automotive related.
However, nearly 16 years ago, my dad became handicapped and was no longer able to travel long distances without his body being in severe pain due for a magnitude of reasons associated with the traveling. After watching me attend all of these events, my mom and dad decided to surprise me by showing up to my hotel.
Not only was it an amazing feeling to see my dad watch drag racing in real life and to see his favorite content creators in person instead of from behind the screen, but it was also great to show my parents what a day at work can look like for me.
There aren't words that can describe the heart warming feeling that looking back at these pictures give me.
A Community Forged in Horsepower
My second trip to LS Fest East was more than just an event – it was a homecoming, a celebration of a community I’m proud to be part of. The past year has seen me delve deeper into the world of LS performance, building relationships with fellow enthusiasts and learning more about the incredible potential of the platform. Returning to LS Fest, I felt a sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than myself.
I love knowing that the LS platform not only brings friends and family together, but it also introduces the next generation to the community.
As I walked through the crowds, taking in the sights and sounds, I knew that this was where I was meant to be. The LS community is more than just a group of car enthusiasts – it’s a family bound together by a shared passion for power, performance, and the relentless pursuit of speed. We’re a tribe of gearheads, united by our love for the rumble of an LS engine and the thrill of putting power to the ground.
Looking out at the sea of faces, I knew that I wasn’t alone in my passion. We’re a community that transcends borders and boundaries, a global network of enthusiasts who speak the same language. We share a common lexicon of horsepower and torque, of boost pressures and camshaft profiles. We understand the late-night garage sessions, the endless pursuit of perfection, the sheer joy of hearing an LS engine come alive.
The Future is Fast
As I left the venue on the final day, the sound of open headers and cutouts still echoing in my ears, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of anticipation. As technology advances and performance boundaries are pushed, I have no doubt that the LS community will continue to adapt and thrive.
My article from last year summed up this experience perfectly. In my mind’s rearview mirror, Holley’s LS Fest East 2024 looms large — a lively variety of roaring engines, human ingenuity, and the unbeatable spirit of the automotive community. Every moment was a lesson, every encounter a discovery, from the fellowship in the staging lanes to the thrills on the drag strip. From the precision of autocross to the controlled chaos of drifting. Although I wasn’t able to hear every tale or see every example of creativity, what I did see and hear has permanently changed my understanding of what it means to be in this community.
