Cruise Night at the Nugget During the SCTA’s 2024 SpeedWeek at the Bonneville Salt Flats
The Southern California Timing Association, best known simply as the SCTA, held their 76th SpeedWeek at the Bonneville Salt Flats last weekend. After a shortened event last year with the previous year cancelled due to rain, racers and hot rodders were finally treated to a rain-free week with good salt conditions – in short, everyone was psyched up for a week on the Salt.
Racing at the 2024 SpeedWeek started on Saturday, August 3rd, and after a blazing day on the Salt Flats, hot rod enthusiasts gathered just over the Utah/Nevada border at the Nugget Hotel and Casino for a cruise night show. The parking lot was packed with salt splashed and spotted traditional rods capturing the days of old when Flatheads and 4-bangers were zipping down the race course.
There is always some cool cars to check out, coupled with the camaraderie and excitement of taking in one of the oldest running motorsports events in the world – and at one of the most unique tracks. It’s a hoot to hang out, catch up with old friends and maybe make a few new ones.
While the Nugget cruise night isn’t sanctioned or an official part of the SCTA’s Bonneville event, it’s become an integral part of the 2024 SpeedWeek experience. The parking lot is full of traditional hot rods, vintage engines, jalopies, and customs surrounded by hot rodders young and old. A perfect way to cap off the day before retiring to your room to hose the salt off your skin and apply a first coat of aloe vera to sooth the pending sunburn – only to get up before dawn to head back out for the record attempts and do it all again.
We’ll be back with a gallery of SpeedWeek race cars, trucks and streamliners from the Bonneville Salt Flats, but for now check out the Nugget’s cruise night.
Photos by Todd Ryden
