Are we in Texas or Arkansas?

Welcome to Day 2 of our 2013 Hot Rod Power Tour coverage, except that this is technically Day 1 of the Tour that we’re talking about here. Are you confused? So am I. At least we can seek comfort in the fact that we’re still not as lost as Mothers’ own Krashy Ken behind the wheel. On with this latest adventure.

Moving Into Razorback Country

Our own Jim Holloway treated the guests of our hotel in Texarkana to a very early morning in the form of a 750hp Corvette wake up call.. From the sound of things we’re pretty sure he blew the shells off the crustaceans chilling next door. On behalf of everyone at Mothers, sorry about that.

Down Home on the Farm

Day 3 for the 2013 Power Tour began just like any other. An early morning wake-up call followed by a mad scramble to pack up after a one-night stand in a far-flung city. The fact that I’m not sleeping enough in a bed that’s not my own is quickly forgiven once we arrive at the daily driver’s meetings. Surrounded by good cars and great people is not a bad way to start the day.

Getting Back to Our Roots

Today on the Tour was a landmark day for a few reasons, first of which being that I was finally able to elbow-flip eight quarters. The second reason was an epiphany of our own Ken Holland. Ken wants to get back to the core of the Hot Rod Power Tour – you, the participants. This rolling car show wouldn’t be possible without all of you and our goal with this Power Tour blog has always been to highlight your participation. The other landmark occasion was the arrival of our mother, as in mom, Barbara Holloway.

A Day of Education With Museums and Colleges and Stuff

It’s Day 5 and I’m running out of underwear, but the Tour waits for no man, and no undergarments either. Today we went 194.3 miles from Birmingham, Alabama to Chattanooga, Tennessee. Our side trip was a visit to the Barber Motorsports Park located on the eastern edge of Birmingham.

From Four-Lane Highways to Four-Wide Drag Strips

If drag racing is bacon, then drag racing four-wide is like bacon wrapped bacon. It’s just that good. At that’s exactly what the Hot Rod Power Tour is – bacon wrapped bacon that can be enjoyed on the road with good friends and great cars.

More Than Just Hot Rods – Meeting New People and Going to Great Places

Another Power Tour is in the books. Nineteen years long, nineteen years strong. I’ve always said that the Power Tour is the wildest, road trippin’, rolling car show ever conceived but even more than an eclectic mix of outstanding hot rods of all shapes and sizes, the Power Tour is about the people. You can’t have a great party without great people (and Cheeze Whiz, that’s always a must!). The cars may be the stars, but it’s the participants on the Power Tour who make this trip so memorable.

2014 Power Tour Introduction

  Each and every Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is special in its own way, but the 2014 edition also marks the 20th anniversary of the world’s most renown rolling road show. Our Mothers Polish crew boasts a perfect attendance record and we plan to keep the streak alive this year. Twenty years ago, we never imagined that our participation would expand from our own Forrest Tosie and Ken Holland sharing a rental car (and other unmentionables as well) to a fully stocked Big Rig and crew. Of course, the Power Tour wouldn’t be complete without Forrest on the mic each day. We don’t know what we’d do without our daily dose of trivia and weather prognostications from the man himself. We can’t wait to hear about the dew point, heat index and chief export of Bettondorf, Iowa.   Alas, Ken, the peanut butter to Forrest’s jelly, the peas to

2014 Power Tour – Day 00 Preview

We made it! Well, our Big Rig crew did at least. Welcome back to another year of the fabled Hot Rod Power Tour. At Mothers, we’re proud to support this great event for each and every one of the twenty annual editions. The kickoff party starts today in Charlotte, but our Big Rig crew arrived on Thursday and kicked things off in Mooresville, NC with a visit to our good friends at Detroit Speed, Inc. Thanks to the good people at Detroit Speed we were able to wash off some of those hard miles and give our Big Rig that Mothers Polish treatment. While at Detroit Speed we were given a quick tour of their impressive facilities. These guys specialize in making hot rods handle and they offer manufactured solutions to this end as well as a complete fabrication facility to transform any vehicle into a corner carving monster. We

2014 Power Tour – Day 0 Kickoff Party

Welcome to the 2014 edition of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. This is the 20th anniversary of the Power Tour and it’s been going on for twenty years long and twenty years strong. This year we started things off from Charlotte’s zMAX Dragway, right where we left off last year. Traffic going into the track was stacked. Fortunately this young man and his son were kind enough to let us sneak into the line. You can’t see it, but he’s actually showing us his Mothers Polish shirt. Thanks for the love and the cutsies! Once inside we say our own Big Rig crew had everything set up. Um, we don’t care what you’re selling, Bernice Ussery, we’ll take ten. Actually, Bernice is flossing our latest and greatest Power Tour shirt. We were fortunate enough to get this Nova from our friends at Detroit Speed to display at our Big Rig.

2014 Power Tour – Day 1

Welcome back to our coverage of the 2014 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Today saw us kick things off at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina. After a very late night and an early start Shane needed his Starbuck’s fix and I just needed a nap. Just some me time, to reboot and recharge. Know what I mean? Since it is the twentieth anniversary of the Tour, Mr. Hot Rod and resident Road Killer, David Freiburger took time out of the driver’s meeting to interview this guy. He’s been on nearly every leg of every Power Tour. Now that’s a long hauler. And his beard game is on point to boot. This guy is trying to cram ten pounds of stuff into an eight-pound trunk. Truly an art to making it all fit! Hey you, on the right, get your act together and get a Mothers shirt! As we left

2014 Power Tour – Day 2

This morning we woke up in Knoxville, Tennessee. After a nutritious and delicious breakfast, we needed to top our tanks before setting off on our Day Two journey. Our driving directions told us it would be 301.3 miles to downtown Charleston, West Virginia. These route signs told us we’d be getting lost along the way. Jim took the lead in MOM’S ZR1. Rich and Paige Udell and Hoochie Momma, the wonder dog followed suit. Their ZR1 is much like our model, except it’s white, like our Farmer’s tan lines. After a marathon one-hour stint on the road, Shane and Hoochie Momma needed a potty break. At least we were comforted with the fact that we could buy Tahoe cigs and Wrangler jeans in the same place. After they relieved themselves both Shane and Hoochie Momma felt much better. For the record, Shane is on the left. Back on the road,

2014 Power Tour – Day 3

We wanted to start the day off with a drag race. However, our own Jim Holloway laughed so hard that he couldn’t bring our ZR1 4 MOM to line up against Shane Christman in our rented Navigator. Day 3 began with our usual posse in tow. Yeah, nothing about this group screams multiple moving violations, does it? In the lot, curious onlookers asked Ted Dzus if his big banana of a Henry J had an engine. He said yes, and popped the hood. Widespread agreement ensued. Today we left Charleston, West Virginia and made our way along 287 beautiful miles to Summit Motorsports Park at Norwalk, Ohio. It seems Shane has a bit of a barn fetish. We’re not sure if he just likes saying, “Hey, look, my barn door is open!” or he’s intrigued at the prospect of something that reads, “Male Pouch.” No, that isn’t a typo and after

2014 Power Tour – Day 4

Welcome back to our 2014 Hot Rod Power Tour coverage and ice cream social. Since I ate all the ice cream, the only thing left is to share our experiences from the road more traveled. We took off early today with a 7:00 am call time (or sevenish if you’re me). We had 325.4 miles to cover from Norwalk, Ohio to the Lake County Fair at Crown Point, Indiana. Here we see our own Jim Holloway carving the cloverleaf in our ZR1 4 MOM. Not shown is our own Shane Christman pitching the back end of our rental Navigator. Also not shown is me regretting the midnight all-you can eat pizza party I hosted in my bed the night prior. Since I was still feeling queasy from the first part of the drive, I felt a sensible breakfast would set things straight. And I can’t think of anything more sensible

2014 Power Tour – Day 5

Welcome back to another episode of As the Tour Turns. When we last left our heroes (hey, that’s us!), they were embarking on a 251.8-mile cruise from Crown Point, Indiana to the Isle Casino Hotel in Bettendorf, Iowa. See ya, Crown Point, Indiana. Wouldn’t wanna be ya. If anyone from the Crown Point Visitors and Tourism Bureau is reading this post, that previous statement was in no way intended to denigrate the, no doubt sterling reputation of your fine metropolis. It’s just something that people say. And with that, this concludes the PC portion of our programming. Eli Reed, driving his murdered Charger with Hunter Gilbertson riding shotgun. Their combined age is still less than mine and for that reason alone they should carry my luggage up to my room every night. In fact, when I was his age, I didn’t have a car that cool (still don’t). Okay, they

2014 Power Tour – Day 6

This is it, the last day of the 2014 Power Tour. Today we went 203.3 miles from Bettendorf, Iowa to the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin. Our own Jim Holloway led our Mothers Polish group in the Lingenfelter LS3-powered Magnuson supercharged Vista Cruiser. In keeping with our routine we started the morning by topping off our thirsty beasts with fuel and filling our ravenous bellies with the finest snack cakes, beef jerky, candy and chips that a roadside mini mart has to offer. While we were gassing and gorging we stumbled upon our friends from Ringbrothers and their latest creation. Do believe that this is the heartiest party bus you’ve ever seen. Don’t believe me? Check out yesterday’s post for more pictures of this bad boy. At the Bettendorf BP we were all a little perplexed that the diesel-green pump handles were attached to the unleaded tanks. Unless

2014 Power Tour – Recap

The house lights have come on at the 2014 edition of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Much like any great show our senses are still ringing in the aftermath. This year, the Power Tour celebrated its 20th anniversary. Think about that for a moment. If the Power Tour was a person it would be able to legally drive, vote and defend our country, but not yet order a drink in it (which the logic of the last two befuddle me). The Power Tour could be well on its way to an undergraduate degree, mastering both a major of study and the art of beer pong. Yes, our Power Tour is all grown up. Mothers Polish has been supporting the Power Tour for every single one of its twenty editions, beginning with a small presence that grew into one of our beautiful Big Rigs stocked with the finest car care

2015 Power Tour Introduction

The Mothers Polish brand is a well-oiled (and finely polished) machine. These guys started with a little tin of polish that grew into a comprehensive line of more than 40 different car care products. Everything they do extends beyond creating the world’s finest car care products and onto promoting the car hobby as a whole. Take this wild trip of a Power Tour, for instance. Mothers has been a proud supporter for each and every one, going back two decades (long hauling to the extreme). And this 21st edition is no different. The crew takes their Power Touring seriously. Not only do they bring an 18-wheeled big rig on Tour, they completely detail it before getting on the road. Let me repeat that. The Mothers crew completely details an 18-wheeled big rig. Now that’s dedication. It makes no sense then, why a team that operates to such a high level

2015 Power Tour – Day 00 Preview

Welcome to another Hot Rod magazine Power Tour. Brand new year, brand new us. Okay, maybe we’re the same old us. Truth be told, we’re a year older. We’d be depressed if we weren’t so excited about getting back in the saddle. And what a saddle it is, with many, many horses. Yesterday was the pre- pre-party, which is not quite the official kick off, but it’s good enough for us. This year, as always, the Tour begins right where it left off. That means starting in Madison, Wisconsin, exactly where the 2014 Tour ended. Thanks to our resident knower-of-all-things, Forrest Tosie, we discovered that renowned architect, Frank Lloyd Wright was born nearby. Even more exciting is that Ringbrothers is also nearby in Spring Green, Wisconsin. The brothers of the Ring threw a little open house and we stopped by to check out one of our 2014 Mothers Choice award

2015 Power Tour – Day 00 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Day 0

It’s finally here. The return of the Hot Rod Power Tour. And like a fat kid on Christmas, I awoke with a craving for authentic Wisconsin cheese curds. While I would dispute this statement, now is not the time to think about food. We’ve got some kicking off to do. Let’s light this firecracker. Our drive to the kickoff party took us by some picturesque lakefront properties. I can see it now – eating cheese curds lakeside. That’s fancy living. Speaking of fancy, may I present the Commando 9000, our super, happy terrific mobile command center. This is a veritable rolling nerve center, otherwise known as our rented Yukon XL (because we like to stretch out on Tour). If you see us on the road, make sure to smile for the camera. And if the Yukon is a rocking, please come a knocking. Seriously, if it’s rocking, it’s only because

2015 Power Tour – Day 0 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Day 1

Day 1 of the 2015 Hot Rod Power Tour is finally here. Who’s ready for some hot rods, highways and sunshine? So what if Forrest forecasted heavy showers, what does he know? Apparently Forrest knows quite a lot. He got a little artsy fartsy with this shot prompting me to ask if this shows the tension between man and the elements and the harmonious incongruity of it all. “No,” Forrest deadpanned, “just the beading properties of our Mothers Polish.” I’m all for the product benefit, but I was just hoping to see more of the artistic side of the man, perhaps complete with a French beret and a turtleneck. I for one, think Forrest would look quite fetching in such an ensemble. This was Forrest’s view from the co-pilot’s spot of the 3dCarbon Mustang for most of the day. We split up our coverage today, mainly because Shane and I

2015 Power Tour – Day 1 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Day 2

I’m not gonna lie, Mondays usually suck. But not on the Power Tour, where Mondays mean the fun is just getting started. On Sunday, Day 1 brought hail and tornado warnings and a deluge of biblical proportions. But none of that mattered on this Monday morning, because we awoke with visions of Power Touring dancing in our heads. Our wet cars couldn’t dampen our spirits (but my cheesy writing is enough to make anyone sad), because the weather was improving and we had 190 miles of open road between us and Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Illinois. Our beloved ’59 Sedan Delivery and the 3dCarbon Mustang performed admirably despite Day One’s torrential conditions and we were more excited to drive today than a 13-year old girl at a OneRepublic concert. Come to think of it, Shane was just as excited as said girl (complete with the high pitched squeal). This

2015 Power Tour – Day 2 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Day 3

To give you an idea of what a blissfully draining experience the Hot Rod Power Tour is, we stayed at a hotel overlooking the banks of the mighty Mississippi river and I didn’t even realize it until Forrest clued me in after the fact. Speaking of river banks, who knows this little diddy, “Down by the banks of the Hanky Panky. Where the bullfrogs jump from bank to banky. With an eeps, ipes, opes, opps. One fell in and went kerplops.” Okay, maybe I’m a bit more blissfully drained than I originally thought. That’s half the fun of the Tour, not knowing exactly where you are, but having a helluva good time getting there. Welcome to Day 3 of the Hot Rod Power Tour and a 311.3-mile milk run from St. Louis, Missouri to Memphis International Raceway in Millington, Tennessee. Since this is Forrest’s hometown, he started the day by

2015 Power Tour – Day 3 Gallery

2015 Tour – Day 4

Welcome to Day 4 of the 2015 Power Tour. It’s Wednesday, which means we woke up in Memphis staring down the barrel of a 270.6-mile blast to Birmingham, Alabama. We were down one Holloway, as our Mom Tour 2015 ended with yesterday’s leg. But we still have our own Jim Holloway on hand to get us ‘Bama bound behind the wheel of our ’59 Sedan Delivery. We started the day by topping off our tanks, checking fluids and air pressures and cleaning windshields. Our friend Brian Thomson must collect a lot of critters on the windscreen of his 950hp Chevelle. This is exactly why we hooked him up with some of our Mothers® revisionTM Glass+Surface. Meanwhile Forrest was unsuccessful in his bid to get us a private tour of Scottsboro, Alabama’s famed Unclaimed Baggage center and museum. We deviated slightly from today’s route opting instead to open up our cars

2015 Power Tour – Day 4 Gallery

2015 Tour – Day 5

I, for one, have always believed that real men don’t need to read the directions, which explains why my Ikea furniture and any bolt-on mod I’ve ever attempted never seems to work properly and always has parts left over. Fortunately, Shane is the voice of reason (and apparently, the voice of every country song ever recorded) and for Day 5, he opted that we leave early (cutting into my beauty sleep) and follow the entire Tour route, turn-by-oftentimes confusing-turn. This meant leaving our ’59 Sedan Delivery, Brian Thomson’s 950hp LSX Chevelle and Steen Gilbertson’s ultimate-Plan-B Z06 behind in Memphis in the far-too-early wee hours of the morning. Yes, I do consider 7:00am the wee hours – beauty sleep, remember? Today, for Day 5 we partied with the people as we weaved through the lush countryside along 298.7 of the most picturesque miles ever between Memphis and Centennial Plaza in Gulfport,

2015 Power Tour – Day 5 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Day 6

As Barry Manilow would say, it looks like we made it. I’m writing this as I wring out my face from the sixth and final leg of the 2015 Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Today we covered 169.0 miles traveling from Gulfport, Mississippi to the Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana just outside of Baton Rouge. This morning, we awoke to this view, which pretty much sums up the Power Tour perfectly – Rad Rides, rentals and rat rods. Such is the wide variety of machines you’ll get on the Tour. And this is the view of the parking lot of every Power Tour hotel each morning. Trunks, hoods and doors open in preparation for the route ahead. Our friend, Keith Echols making sure he comes correct with his 1973 Camaro, aka “Showbread.” Keith brought his copper Roadrunner in the early part of the week and then traded it

2015 Power Tour – Day 6 Gallery

2015 Power Tour – Recap

Welcome to the other side. It appears we’ve survived another drive. The Hot Rod Power Tour has been rolling down one highway or another for 21 years now and our Mothers Polish crew has long hauled each and every one of them.   Over the years the Tour has grown into quite the beast. Thousands of cars drive the route with tens of thousands of people flocking to each stopover party. If you don’t believe me (understandable as I’m not trustworthy in the least), then take a look at this overhead shot from our Day 4 stopover party at Alabama’s Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, courtesy of the local police helicopter. Just don’t ask how we got it, as our own Jim Holloway has friends in high places.   As the Tour has progressed, our participation increased accordingly. What started out as our own Ken Holland and Forrest Tosie chasing the Tour

2016 Power Tour Introduction

This is a 1959 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. It’s a bit of a rare bird and rightly so, one that should be cherished, respected and revered. To the Mothers family, this one in particular has a greater value than mere collectable speculation. Without this car, Mothers Polish wouldn’t be where it is today. Literally. Our own Al Holloway launched Mothers Polish out of the back of this very car (Jobs had his Apple 1, we have this Sedan Delivery). Because this one is so sentimental to us, we thought it fitting that we treat her to a ground up restoration by one of the world’s premier hot rod builders. Our friend Troy Trepanier and his talented team of artists at Rad Rides by Troy spent countless hours meticulously crafting every element of our 59 Sedan Delivery. Once we took, ahem, delivery of our Delivery, you’d think we would tour it around

2016 Power Tour – Day 0

Welcome to the 2016 Hot Rod Power Tour. Sort of. We’re not on Tour yet, technically. Much like when the airline lost my bag I was forced to wear Shane’s chonies, technically (and literally). Today was the kickoff party at Lamar Dixon Expo Center in Gonzales, Louisiana but select members of our Mothers Polish team came out a few days earlier to take in the sights. When I say, “select,” I mean that I wasn’t selected, but I’m not bitter about it. I’M NOT BITTER AT ALL. Oops, I may have accidentally hit the caps lock key. Technically speaking.   My bitter disappointment is your gain as we brought back the Biggest of the Easys, the longest of the haulers, the seller of ice to Eskimos, the Grand Prognosticator himself, Mr. Forrest Tosie to get us to speed. Take it away, Forrest.   “Dear, John (not the first time I’ve

2016 Power Tour – Day 00 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 01

Into everyone’s life a little rain must fall and today we endured a little more than a little rain and definitely a lifetime’s worth on what was only Day 1 of the 2016 Hot Rod Power Tour. As I stand over my hotel bathroom sink wringing out Shane’s shorts, I’m left to wonder where to begin. Starting at the beginning would probably be a good start. To kick things off, this morning we were compelled to dress up the port cochere of the Springhill Suites with our own special brand of flair. Shane and Forrest woke up bright and early and ready to make today count, while I was just hoping the air conditioned passenger seat in our rental ‘burban would help air out some of my funk before I had to return Shane’s shorts. Look at our ‘burban, isn’t she majestic? As Shane and Forrest compared easy listening play

2016 Power Tour – Day 01 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 02

It’s Monday, so this must be Day Two of the Hot Rod magazine Power Tour.   Today the Power Tour woke up to much better weather and I woke up to find Shane’s shorts had finally dried out. At this point they can almost stand by themselves. I’m hoping to teach them how to roll over before the Tour is done.   A little revision and a microfiber helps Shane focus on the drive ahead and while he does that, I can work on my beauty rest.   Today we had a celebrity in our midst (well, aside from Shane). Rutledge Wood from Top Gear, and almost every other automotive show on TV, is joining the Power Tour once again.   Check out Rut’s rides. From what we understand, these two were in one of the Fast and Furious installments. Rut bought the one on the right, sold it to

2016 Power Tour – Day 02 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 03

I have a confession to make. While this is my seventh year on the Power Tour, I’ve never actually experienced it in the manner it’s meant to be experienced. I’ve always documented the Tour from the somewhat removed, relatively comfortable confines of a luxury SUV (and because I also like to chill AND heat my nether regions on the go). I see the Tour as my own personal safari with Shane narrating all the action in his best Marlin Perkins voice. And there I am tapping on the glass of the aquarium without the rush of dipping my toes in the water. This would all change today.   You see, Shane, being the selfish bastard that he is, took our Safari Jeep (read: our rental ‘burban) on a detour for the day to what he claimed was an important engagement (curse you, family obligations!). This left me without a ride

2016 Power Tour – Day 03 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 04

It’s Wednesday, so we must be in Grand Prairie, Texas to start Day Four of the Hot Rod Power Tour. The Block wanted to shoot our friend Steen Gilbertson’s Chevelle at the next stop in Oklahoma City. That meant most of our group left early to make it in time for the shoot.   How early? How about way too early for me (let’s be honest, brunch is too early for me). On the plus side, I didn’t have to endure the sight of our friend Eli Reed (aka Mohawk War-e-zee) in his Texas tap shoes.   This left Shane and me to enjoy an intimate little 242.1-mile jaunt to Oklahoma City’s Remington Park with thousands of our fellow Power Tourists.   Today’s route took us past Texas Motor Speedway. What else could it be but a super speedway. It seems everything’s bigger in Texas.   Even the cans of

2016 Power Tour – Day 04 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 05

Today, as they say, was a good day. Welcome to our coverage of Day Five of the Hot Rod Power Tour. We rolled out of the Renaissance Hotel in Oklahoma City to find none other than Rutledge Wood and company on the front drive.     There’s our boy Rutledge. Hi, Rut! I wanted him to sign my forehead, but Shane thought it would be in poor taste. Well then, it’s a good thing I didn’t suggest the first body part I wanted Rut to ink.   We also spotted Emily Williams Reeves (aka cute girl in the ball cap) chatting with Roadkill’s David Freiburger (aka the awkward dude in the ball cap) (edit: the awkward dude in the ball cap on the right).   You know you’ve made it when you can roll in a convoy that consists completely of your cars. Rut’s collection is just as eclectic as Shane’s questionable taste

2016 Power Tour – Day 05 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Day 06

This is it, the last hurrah of the 2016 Hot Rod Power Tour. Our hotel, the swanky Hyatt Regency in Wichita, Kansas, sits on the banks of the Arkansas River. According to Forrest, the Arkansas is a major tributary of the mighty Mississippi River. This is valuable information, since I didn’t know we were this close to the Mississippi. I also don’t know what a tributary is, but don’t mention this to Forrest.   Our Day Six drive started just like any other, with us prepping our rides for the drive ahead and wiping them down to ensure we Tour in style. And by “us” prepping our rides, I mean anyone but me. Hey, somebody needs to snap the pics.   The last day of the Power Tour is always bittersweet. On one hand there is an immense feeling of self-satisfaction in completing such an epic journey, but on the

2016 Power Tour – Day 06 Gallery

2016 Power Tour – Epilogue

It took me six years to realize I’ve been doing Power Tour all wrong. Six years. That’s a long time – half a decade to be precise – perhaps even longer if I knew how to use the calculator on my smartphone. But this year, I believe I’ve finally got it right. For as long as the good, albeit slightly misguided, people at Mothers have been entrusting me to report on the Power Tour they’ve done it in the same methodical fashion – big, boring and basic (much like my love life). This year our rental ‘burban was more of the same. It got the job done comfortably and reliably with room for all of our junk in the trunk (again, much like my love life). I know we need our reliable rentals to capture as many moments as we can, but I’ve always fantasized about experiencing the Hot Rod

2017 Power Tour Introduction

There’s something undeniably appealing about a road trip. Devouring the miles with nothing more than a never-ending ribbon of blacktop filling your windshield. It’s as if nothing else matters. Not the job, mortgage, family, or any other responsibility. What if you emptied out the 401K and bought a rattle-canned Nova and just drove? Could you leave the kids and their incessant questions about common core math in your dust? Could you assume a false identity under the guise of Novagabond Charlie and scratch out enough cheddar as a social media influencer criss-crossing this great land as you document your travels? Um, you know, I’m just asking for a friend (although X-body Novas are a bit spendy these days).   In case the good people of Child Welfare Services are reading this, I just want to emphasize how much I love my children. But this doesn’t mean that I can’t get

2017 Power Tour – Day 00

Here we go again. Welcome to the first of our daily posts from this, the 2017 Hot Rod Power Tour. I’m John “nads” Naderi, your humble, and somewhat sunburned “tour guide.” I’ll be giving you a glimpse (I’m such a tease) of all the good, bad and ugly (yes, there will be selfies) from the 23rd edition of the Tour. Enough of my witless banter, let’s dive right in. In keeping with tradition, this Tour launched in the same city where last year’s Tour ended. It’s all so very meta and it’s also what brought us back to Kansas City, MO, Paris of the Plains, the City of Fountains and the home to some very tasty BBQ (unless you’re on a diet – but then who would be silly enough to go and do that – spoiler alert – it’s one of us). The kick off party took place at

2017 Power Tour – Day 00 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 01

The Power Tour isn’t the Power Tour until you start putting some miles under your tires (or steps onto your Fitbit, as Shane likes to say). Today we went 262.5 miles from Kansas City, Missouri to Newton, Iowa. This also gave me the opportunity to finally say, “Fo Fo (my pet name for Forrest), I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.” Now geography (or anything else, for that matter) has never been one of my strengths, but I do know enough to realize that we were in Kansas City, MO, and not Kansas City, KS. But saying, “Fo Fo, I don’t think we’re in Missourah anymore,” lacks the same punch. Add to this, that this year’s Tour won’t even get to Kansas and you can see how my hands were tied. So I ran with it, saying it as often as I could to Forrest today (and his little dog

2017 Power Tour – Day 01 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 02

Welcome back to our daily coverage of the 2017 Hot Rod magazine Power Tour. This is the road trip that keeps on giving. In this case, it gave us, not one, but two, count ‘em, two days in picturesque Iowa. How could we resist a second day in the state that produces one tenth of our nation’s food supply (if there’s any justice in this world, some sort of Twinkie or Ding Dong processing plant is a major contributor to this stat). Thanks to the impossibly poor Wi Fi speeds at the Embassy Suites, I was forced to get up early (ewww) and walk (double ewww) to the nearest Starbucks. How slow was it? The internet speed was even slower than I move after a big hike (for clarification, my idea of a big hike is moving from the couch to the fridge). During my early morning expedition to Starbucks

2017 Power Tour – Day 02 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 03

Legendary mountaineer George Mallory was once famously asked why climb Everest. To which he replied, even more famously, “Because it’s there.” True dat, George. For hot rodders, the Power Tour is the Everest of road trips. A run what ya brung celebration of real steel drivers spread out over one week and 1300-plus miles. Why subject yourself and your beloved ride to the Power Tour? Because it’s there. It’s precisely why I’m here (well, yes, because it’s there, but mainly because Mothers is paying me to be here). Today we girded our loins (that’s just what one does before a long drive) to make the 201.7 milk run from Davenport, Iowa to Champaign, Illinois. At our early am gas stop we found this fish called Wanda the Wonder Wagon. I also found an entire mini market filled with nutritious and delicious snacks that apparently aren’t Whole30 compliant. Help me, Forrest,

2017 Power Tour – Day 03 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 04

You Can’t Go Home Again Yep, that’s me. Once upon a time I drove a car, took photos, wrote a story and didn’t sleep on the Power Tour. And then I got old.  After numerous times of falling asleep at the keyboard, and being afraid of falling asleep while driving, I reluctantly turned the reins over to John.  Nads, he calls himself.  I call him a savior – he saved my health and sanity.  Well, you can’t really save what I never had.  But, he’s done yeoman’s work, and for that I’m thankful. It also helps that he’s a real photographer and knows nouns from pronouns (which I think are better than amateur nouns) and understands those verb thingies. But, I was also jealous – jealous of all the fun he’s been having writing [who’s having fun? – nads]. And I missed it. So, I offered a deal.  Let me

2017 Power Tour – Day 04 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 05

Hello, Power Tour. It’s me, nads. Sadly for you, Forrest’s substitution was short-lived. Now that I’ve got a doctor’s note clearing me for duty (as well as an ointment, clearing me of that rash), I’m back in control. And by control, I mean control of the Daily Power Tour Posts, not my love life, career, destiny or impulses. I still have no control of any of that. After a long Day 04 in the saddle, some of our crew took in a Cards game at Busch Stadium, until a rain delay put a damper on their fun. Rain delay? Rain delay?! You’re telling me 18 multimillionaires can’t hit a ball with a stick in the rain? The Power Tour doesn’t stop for rain. In fact, the Power Tour stops for nothing – except maybe gas (hot rods burn a lot of fuel), and food (gotta eat), photo ops (our Instagram

2017 Power Tour – Day 05 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Day 06

This is it – the final countdown. Today’s Day 06 leg marked the final push into Bowling Green, Kentucky. The last leg of Power Tour is always bittersweet. Much like the last day of school before summer break (HAGS KIT!). Not high school, mind you. No one’s sad to leave that mess behind. This is more like an elementary school summer break. When your classmates were your ride or die homies and before the eternal sunshine of your spotless mind was crushed under the weight of four-pound textbooks and standardized testing (making you stay within the lines to fill in each bubble completely is how they keep you down). What is Speed? It could be the voracity in which our own Jim Holloway pounded his venti coffee. Immediately after I snapped this pic, Jim crushed the cup (bare-handed, no less) and spiked it on the driveway of the Courtyard by

2017 Power Tour – Day 06 Gallery

2017 Power Tour – Epilogue

If memory serves, Oscar Wilde said, “Moderation is a fatal thing. Nothing succeeds like excess.” Or maybe it was a plucky Michelle Pfeiffer in Scarface. Whatever the case, I’m a firm believer that too much of a good thing leads to even better things. Why go to a garden variety nightclub, when you can have a night out that’s altogether more excessive. The sort of club that involves membership fees, a phone number to get the location, masquerade masks and an appetite for adventure. You know what I’m talking about. No? Okay then, let’s just forget I brought it up. In the case of the Power Tour, some believe that one does not simply show up and long haul. For these excessive types, it isn’t enough to trip over 1,336.2 miles (plus 13,000-plus steps each day for Shane) in a mere six days. No, for these hearty souls, the Power

2018 Power Tour Introduction

Seems like only yesterday (or 2017) when we were rolling into Bowling Green, battered and bruised, but not altogether beaten, like some sort of Johnny Cash character, on the cusp of redemption, knowing full well that we were once again, Long Haulers. With all due respect to Bowling Green and the incredulous Corvette fans, who are, no doubt getting their 1953 Corvette step and repeat pattern boxers in a bunch right now, it’s about the journey, not the destination. We live that life with each and every Power Tour partly because it is such a trip, and also because our own Forrest Tosie will probably be taking us to the birthplace of the person attributed to this quote (complete with mandatory gift shop visit!). This year’s journey is our 24th. That’s right, we’ve been on every Power Tour since its inception, making us the longest of the long haulers (at

2018 Power Tour – Day 00

Welcome to the 2018 Power Tour. There’s something to be said about a journey of a thousand miles starting with a single step, and if that’s the case, I’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. We haven’t even started yet and I’m already slacking. I would have totally written this post, but I got caught up binge watching Suits (Harvey’s just so dreamy!). As usual, my bestest buddy and our longest hauler of them all, Forrest Tosie has my back with today’s post. Hey, Forrest, don’t tell Shane you wrote this one, and um, don’t let him look at the Internet for a while. I’ll leave you with this pic of Charley Lillard’s 953hp LS9-powered Mark Stielow-built pro touring Camaro for attention. Take it away, Forrest. One of these days, John.  You’re going to learn.  As usual, Shane and I decided to goof off for a couple days do some

2018 Power Tour – Day 00 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 0

Like a fighter dancing around before the bell, a little dog about to go on a walk, or even me about to sip on my first drink of the night (or, let’s be honest, the day), we’re champing at the bit with the prospect of kicking off yet another Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour. Before we could head to the kickoff party venue, we enjoyed a hearty breakfast. Well, that is to say, Forrest and I enjoyed a hearty breakfast, while Shane did his Whole30 body good with an overpriced Cold Brew and some fresh fruit. I had fresh fruit too, I just put mine atop a stack of buttermilk pancakes. At least, I think I had fresh fruit as it was tough to make it out under the dollop or six of whipped cream. My idea of the Whole30 diet is to pack on thirty pounds during the Tour.

2018 Power Tour – Day 0 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 01

This is my eighth Power Tour of duty and while I haven’t racked up the impressive stats (or successful careers, loving families, and ability to make good choices) of say, Forrest or Shane, this ain’t my first rodeo (that was decades ago and the clowns really frightened me). Every year the Tour may, on the surface appear to blur into the next, where hot rodders from all walks of life routinely devour the miles on a daily quest to reach the next stop. Coming into Day 01 of this, the 2018 Tour, I couldn’t help but wonder if it would be a deja reboot of 2017, like some sort of Oceans installment that even the impossibly plucky Sandy Bullock can’t save. It turns out that couldn’t be further from the truth (although I could totes enjoy a proper dinner and a movie date night about now). Each year the Tour

2018 Power Tour – Day 01 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 02

Ever wake up and wonder if all of this is worthwhile? Day in and day out, where life’s relentless demands can get to be too much and then Shane starts to yell, “John, you need to post a Tour blog entry!” Uh, not talking about me, only asking for a friend. But if I had one piece of advice to give my “friend,” I’d say, when things are getting out of control, take a deep breath, and buy new underwear. Nothing rivals the feeling of fresh undergarments. However, today I did let something get between me and my off-brand Calvins, and that something was a most welcome detour. Don’t get me wrong, I do love the Tour, and all of its delightful eccentricities, but sometimes it feels so good to get a glimpse at the upper end of the spectrum. Thanks to Jonathan Goolsby and his crew at Goolsby Customs

2018 Power Tour – Day 02 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 03

You know what the best part of Power Tour is? Well, besides the countless hot rods and daily Starbucks Double Smoked Bacon, Cheddar & Egg breakfast sammies, that is.  The best part of Power Tour is the escape. Escape from the mundane reality of your pointless life. A monotonous existence where you drag yourself out of bed each morning, look yourself in the mirror, and say, “you’ve got this, John.” And for the record, that name is purely hypothetical. For instance, today we took a 200-mile open road trip, with some amazing stops, all on a Tuesday. Most people are going about their business and going to work on a Tuesday. Maybe their job involves putting down those orange cones on the highway or perhaps even building the digital presence for the leading maker of organic children’s clothing. Either way, we thank you for your service. If it wasn’t for

2018 Power Tour – Day 03 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 04

It was at this moment I realized things had gone horribly awry. Day 04 of our 2018 Hot Rod Power Tour started innocently enough and we were laser focused on our impending mission. Completing today’s 295-mile route from Hampton, Georgia to South Carolina’s Darlington Raceway required us to adhere to a strict, dare I say, even militant schedule. This called for us to be wheels up and rolling out at precisely 0700. This is what makes it all the more confusing as to why the time stamp on this picture reads 7:23am. Nor does it explain why Forrest is holding his nose, although the latter may have something to do with the fact that I crop dusted the area shortly before taking this pic. What can I say, those breakfast sammies exact a heavy toll. Forrest, just be thankful you’re not locked in a car with me for hundreds of

2018 Power Tour – Day 04 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Day 05

Welcome to Day 5 of the Hot Rod Power Tour. Today’s route was a bit shorter at 186 miles, so we expected a rather drama-free day (with the exception of Shane’s mini market mini rants on the adverse effects of processed sugar). This wasn’t to be, as I was caught off guard by our dependency on technology. It’s amazing how the smallest glitch can send reverberating ripples across our entire Tour experience. For instance, my unfamiliarity with the settings of the microwave in my room caused me to overheat my breakfast sandwich. Oh, and the connection speeds were so poor that it took all night and into the morning to publish yesterday’s post. It set our departure back by a couple hours, but more importantly, the soggy sammie put me in such a mood. Steen and Hunter were ready to take a turn behind the wheel of the Callaway AeroWagen on

2018 Power Tour – Day 05 Gallery

2018 Power Tour Day 06

Today was the last day of the 2018 Power Tour and we celebrated the occasion by modifying the Callaway AeroWagen. Since it is the ultimate wagen, I proposed a nude airbrushed mural of Beverly D’Angelo sprayed across its flanks (tastefully done, mind you), but my creative solution was promptly rejected (philistines, all of them). Jim had another idea in mind… by adding some very special hardware. Our Day 6 started like any other day with a mandatory 0700 meeting time that was all but ignored by just about everyone. While he waits, here’s Shane reviewing his step count from the previous day. Look at how proud our little guy is. Yes, Shane, we see it. You did great. Now, can you be good little helper and get me a breakfast sandwich. And since it looks like we’re not going anywhere anytime soon, let’s make it a double. Meanwhile, Charley is

2018 Power Tour – Day 06 Gallery

2018 Power Tour – Epilogue

This, the 24th edition of the Hot Rod Magazine Power Tour is in the books and Mothers Polish has been a proud supporter and participant in each and every single one. Now, take a look at this Roadster. I can assure you that the owner is most assuredly not one of the target users of our Mothers Polishes, Waxes, and Cleaners. But Mothers isn’t here to singularly exploit a potential promotional opportunity. Not at all. Mothers goes on the Tour because of our sheer adulation for everything this crazy, mixed up, wondrous road trip has to offer. Suddenly, I’m instilled with a moment of clarity, the realization that I’m in it for the love too, that is for the love of the phat check Amy from Accounting is going to cut me for my work here. Yeah, baby, I’m gonna make it rain! Well, at the very least it will

2019 Power Tour Introduction

I’ve never been accused of knowing too much, but I do know one thing for sure. There are a few special days that are universally exciting. Christmas Day, the last day of school before summer, the day the authorities remove the house arrest ankle bracelet (hear me out, it was a crime of passion), and the first day of the Hot Rod Power Tour. For us, the countdown to the start of the Tour begins the moment we finish the Tour. Yup, our countdown clock is about 359 days strong and we’re just about done with it. Another thing I know, is there are sure to be some constants on our Tour experience. For starters, we’ll be bringing some very special cars to enjoy some epic drives. And we can guarantee that we’ll do each and every single mile. Rain or shine. Each stop will feature our complete Big Rig

2019 Power Tour – Day 00

Hello, Charlotte, we’re inside you! Hmm, I really should rethink my choice of words, which is quite unfortunate, and not just because my mother’s name is Charlotte. Speaking of Mothers and Charlotte, our entire Mothers Polish squad is back for the 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour and we’re kicking things off at zMAX Dragway in picturesque Charlotte, North Carolina. Before I get this party started (don’t make me raise the roof – I’m really, really tall), I feel like I should address the elephant in the room. No, not me, Jokey McJokerson, my big-boned stature is well within the health and safety standards for my height (did I mention how tall I am?). The metaphorical elephant to which I’m referring is my man main, one Shane Christman. Shane had a familial obligation to attend to, which rendered him unable to attend the Tour. And you know what, I’m not sad

2019 Power Tour – Day 00 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 01

Who’s ready for Day 01 of the Power Tour? I know I am, but that’s mainly because I’m a hit-it-and-quit-it, one-and-done kinda guy. This applies to my work ethic, marital status, even my offspring. Yes, I know I have two kids, but let’s face it, my youngest was an accident. Don’t worry, she’ll never read this, but just in case, Daddy loves you! Where was I, aside from looking into therapy for my youngest child? Oh yeah, Day 01 of the Tour! Today, we tripped from Charlotte, North Carolina to Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, across 206 of the most majestic miles in our U.S. of effen A.! I would curse, but my kids are probably reading this right now (remember, Daddy loves you!). As a writer, I’m constantly reminded that all great stories start with conflict. Aside from the daily conflict that I deal with as a parent who loves

2019 Power Tour – Day 01 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 02

Today on Power Tour was one of those days. One of those perfect days where we basked in the glory of the hot summer sun. We felt the warmth on our backs and raced our shadows to the next stop. Tops down, windows open, shades adorned. It was an absolutely magnificent day and we reveled in each and every glorious sun-soaked moment. Damn it, I knew I shouldn’t have written this introduction in advance. It’s all part of a lifestyle change to be more efficient in everything I do. But now, it’s making me rethink my scheme to leave a week’s worth of day-labeled tuna fish sandwiches on the counter for my kids. My inability to stay ahead and keep Child Welfare Services off my back notwithstanding, today was indeed, a dark and stormy one. At the very least, it did give us a chance to show off the relentless

2019 Power Tour – Day 02 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 03

Welcome to Day 3 of the Hot Rod Power Tour with Mothers. We’re only a few days into the 2019 edition and I can report that things are already starting to get out of hand, and I like it (excuse me for wanting a little magic in my life). Let me just say that the Fairfield Inn in Abington, Virginia puts on one helluva show. Or, so I’ve heard. Apparently, my room was on the wrong side (story of my life), depending on your point of view, because some overly amorous cows showed the entire north side of building exactly why Virginia is for lovers. I can’t say for sure, but I don’t believe Steen has had, “the talk” with his son Hunter yet. The sight of our friendly cows, um, checking the oil, may have frightened Hunter to the point where he tried to pack up his little Dora

2019 Power Tour – Day 03 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 04

Today we kicked off Day 4 from a real deal casino. And yet, I didn’t go near the tables at the Belterra Casino Resort, mainly because I already play fast and loose with my blood pressure, love life (and life choices), and my kids’ college funds (just kidding, still no college funds). Our Day 4 Mothers on Tour party posse swelled to larger numbers, much like my waistband, my mountain of crushing debt, and that growth on my back (note to self: get that sucker checked out). Let’s see what our heroes are up to, shall we? Today, we went 213 miles from Kentucky Speedway to Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Because of the mileage, Brian Thomson wanted to ensure he could go the distance. But Brian, what’s your wife Janet going to eat? Suddenly, Joe Hendershott saw a bush in the United States that he did not yet wee

2019 Power Tour – Day 04 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 05

Welcome to Day 5 of the Power Tour. Today was a bit of a bust and I’m not just referring to the coconut holders on Precious the mannequin. No, I’m gonna take it all the way to the days of Milli Vanilli and blame it on the rain. In the most Bad Luck Schleprock manner, the stormy skies followed us for the entire 204 miles from Indy to Fort Wayne, Indiana’s Allen County War Memorial Coliseum. The pouring rain not only put a damper on our Day 5 party, it effectively shut down the Power Tour Layover festivities forcing everyone to close up early. I had a game-changing idea to spray my entire body with CMX Ceramic Spray Coating with the hope that the formula’s relentless water beading would keep me dry. However, our party poopers in legal want me to tell you that YOU MUST NEVER APPLY CMX CERAMIC

2019 Power Tour – Day 05 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Day 06

Much like life, the Power Tour is a marathon and not a sprint. And much like life, I usually just spin my wheels until I eventually burn out. Welcome to the sixth and final leg of the 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour. What’s today? Thursday? No, it’s Friday. That’s the Tour in a nutshell. Such a blast and equally as much of a blur. Massive miles, big time vistas, and all sorts of rides, however, it can be challenging to recall dates and cities (no different than any other time of the year for me). Today we went 165 miles from Fort Wayne, Indiana to Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. I’m also pleased to report that because I called Charley “Steve” in yesterday’s post, my status with him has been elevated from “Idiot” to “Jackass.” He loves me! He really does! Poor Forrest. After a week spent enduring the

2019 Power Tour – Day 06 Gallery

2019 Power Tour – Epilogue

The 2019 Hot Rod Power Tour has reached its end. Rather fitting as I’ve also reached my wit’s end, after 1,300-miles spent suffering Forrest’s insufferable odes to his precious Precious. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the biggest road trip party in the world, and not-so coincidentally, it’s also Mothers’ 25th appearance in our campaign to nab the ultimate perfect attendance award. Just look at our presence at this year’s Tour. I can assure you, it wasn’t always like this. When we started, it was just our own Ken Holland and Forrest Tosie driving a 1963 Chevy II SS convertible, that Forrest recalls as being red with a white interior and top and a 327 Corvette motor with a four speed. It was known as “Slepe 63” and Forrest also called it, “the ultimate chick magnet,” which apparently was an acceptable thing to say 25 years ago. To commemorate

Happy New Year – 2020