Friday First Look – 19th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals
Palm trees, ocean breezes, and cool cars. It’s a combination that’s tough to beat, and it’s exactly what Goodguys has on tap this weekend for the 19th Meguiar’s Del Mar Nationals. This Southern California hot rod tradition rolled into the Del Mar Fairground north of San Diego this morning, bringing all the excitement of the 2019 Goodguys event season with it.
The pre-event partying began on Thursday, with a scenic poker run organized by the San Diego Over the Hill Gang taking us all around the city, ending up at Balboa Park and the San Diego Automotive Museum. That set the stage for a fun Friday that started off with a few sprinkles but cleared out to make for a fantastic afternoon.
There’s nothing quite like the vibe here in Del Mar. The beach nearby, the adjacent horse track, and the Spanish architecture give it a feel like no other, one that was enhanced by live surf music by Joey & His Showmen performed several times today. There was also a roaring Nitro Thunderfest exhibition this afternoon, plus AutoCross action carving around the track all day. Add in non-stop cruising by the cool cars in attendance, and you had a Friday that was tough to beat!
The action will continue throughout the weekend, with Saturday activities to include a smokin’ Burnout Competition, more AutoCross action – including the Duel in Del Mar Shootout presented by Classic Performance Products – plus kids activities. We will also be crowning the coveted March Performance Street Rod d’Elegance award on Sunday, and we’ve got a great crop of candidates vying for the honor. So, come on down to join the fun if you’re close, or stay tuned to Goodguys social media for updates. It’s sure to be a bitchin’ time by the beach!
Photos by Damon Lee, John Jackson & Steven Bunker