Today was the biggest annual day in auto racing — “Racing’s Greatest Day” — that I look forward to every year, Formula 1’s highest-profile race of the year, the Grand Prix of Monaco, followed by “The Greatest Spectacle in Racing,” the Indianapolis 500, and ending with NASCAR’s longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600.
Scott Hettrick
Once in awhile there is an additional compelling element added, an attempt by a driver to compete in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. NASCAR driver Kurt Busch took on that challenge today, finishing an impressive sixth in his first Indy car race before quickly leaping out of the cockpit of his open-wheel racer to jump in a plane to Charlotte, N.C. and a helicopter to the speedway in time to climb thru the window and behind the large steering wheel of his stock car. But there was yet another auto-related component for me to enjoy today right here in Arcadia, the monthly Carcadia @Route 66 event produced by this web site’s sister non-profit community event organization Arcadia’s Best Foundation and Glenn Oyoung’s turn3 Creative. I awoke at 6:40 a.m. and, with the 4:30 a.m. DVR recording of the Grand Prix of Monaco awaiting, I headed to the parking lot behind Denny’s on Santa Anita Avenue to help Glenn set up for the start of Carcadia at 7:30 a.m. It didn’t hurt that Denny’s manager Ema sent out a couple trays of delicious fritters with honey sauce for participants to enjoy before many headed in during and after the event to enjoy coffee and breakfast at 15% off.
What a great way to start off my day dedicated to cars. I was once again treated to a couple dozen of the most interesting mix of classic and new exotic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Many of the owners were also excited to watch the Indy 500 starting on TV about an hour after the end of Carcadia. Among the first-time attendees today, May 25, 2014:
A mint 1957 Mercedes gull wing 300 SL (white), one of many cars restored and purchased 10 years ago by Arcadian Bob Green. The iconic classic could fetch $1.5 million – $2 million but Green is not interested in selling it.
A head-turning 1951 Kaiser Henry J (white) showcased by Edley Rondinone
2014 Maseraru Ghibli (white) driven by Jeff Wu
2007 Shelby (yellow) from Jon Fullinwider
1960 Chevelle SS 454 (grey) which earned a magazine cover for owner Jim Divecchio
1993 Acura NSX (black), another eye-catcher brought to Carcadia by Graeme Chia, who drew even more attention when he used a remote control device to start the car when he was standing yards away from it.
1930 Ford (blue) owned by Larry Metz
1940 Ford (orange) from Bob Kline
2013 Porsche 991 (red) provided by Eugene Ung
2001 Ford Escort ZX2 racer driven by Ker Zhu
Among the returning attendees today:
2009 black Cobra Shelby GT 500, the pride of Belle n’ Beau photography studio owner Raymond Elgin.
1965 blue Cobra replica with a 427 small block owned by Steve Gallegos
1963 Porsche 356 (white) proudly owned by Mayor Pro Tem Gary Kovacic.
1970 Rolls Royce, one of a set of classics owned by Arcadia City Council Member Sho Tay that he brings to Carcadia most months.
Two of the half-dozen ’56 Chevys belonging to the family of the late Mike Daleo, including the white and light green Bel Air driven by son Tim and the green/white 210 preferred by Tim’s wife Tiffany.
2009 black Cobra Shelby GT 500, the pride of Belle n’ Beau photography studio owner Raymond Elgin.
1965 blue/purple Cobra replica with a 427 small block owned by Steve Gallegos
L-r: Arcadia’s Best Foundation board members Sho Tay and Carol Libby, along with Karen Hou staff the table offering discount coupons and coffee from Denny’s and Carcadia hats and merchandise.
These were just some of the vehicles on display today — some of the others are included in photos below. Anyone with a car or vehicle of any kind who thinks it’s cool, is welcome to join Carcadia at any month’s event for no charge. Just bring your fun stories about your ride and spread the word to others to come and share theirs each month. Carcadia attracts all sorts of people from all walks of life and even almost all the City Council members, four of which have brought their own cars to showcase. Two of the five current City Councilmen were there again today, Sho Tay and Mayor Pro tem Gary Kovacic.
Meanwhile, I made it back home and enjoyed exciting finishes to both the Monaco Grand Prix and Indy 500 on TV (not as exciting as I would have liked since neither Ferrari driver made the podium but two exiciting young drivers — Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton — raced the hometown Rusnak dealer brand of Mercedes Benz to the top two spots of the Grand Prix, and since neither of my favorite Indy car drivers — Marco Andretti nor Helio Catronevese won the 500, but they did come in second and third, with owner Michael Andretti getting a win by driver Ryan Hunter Reay and four of the top six finishers). Now I’m settling in to watch the NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 to see what Kurt Busch can do in this race while rooting for Jeff Gordon to win a second consecutive race and Danica Patrick to have another top 10 finish. And all without ever leaving Arcadia! — By Scott Hettrick More photos below…
.
.
.
