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Hot Rods Vintage Iron on the Salt: 3,000 miles, 3 vintage race cars, and 7 days

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by grovergroover, Dec 12, 2025 at 11:27 AM.

  1. grovergroover
    Joined: Sep 16, 2008
    Posts: 8

    grovergroover
    Member
    from PA

    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to share a project that's near and dear to my heart. Before August 2025, I was a "salt virgin." I’d heard the stories and seen the pictures, but I’d never set foot on the white stuff.

    This year, I got the chance to go not just as a spectator, but as crew. I helped haul three vintage race cars 2,000+ miles from Reading, PA, out to Utah. That trip alone was an education, including a mandatory pilgrimage stop at the Museum of American Speed in Lincoln, NE to pay our respects to the legends.

    PXL_20250730_203137646.PORTRAIT.jpg

    When we hit Wendover, my plan was just to do***ent the trip. But once the racing started, I realized the real story wasn't my first trip—it was my friend, EJ Kowalski. Watching EJ and his team wrestle with ancient technology—flatheads and bangers—over seven grueling days was incredible. They battled breakage, weather, and sleepless nights, chasing records with iron that was cast before my dad was born.

    I decided to turn my footage into a short do***entary, "Vintage Iron on the Salt."

    Just like racing on the salt, you can't make a film like this alone. I had m***ive help with photo and video coverage from teammate and pro photographer Liz Leggett, who captured the stuff I missed while I was turning wrenches.

    It’s a look at Speed Week through the eyes of a rookie crew member, focused on a master hot-rodder having the week of a lifetime.

    We’re premiering it on YouTube on December 19th at 8pm ET. I’d be honored if you guys gave it a watch and let me know what you think.



    Trailers and more videos of Speed Week...



    Even more on my YouTube page...
    http://www.youtube.com/@grovergroover

    PXL_20250804_173546205.PORTRAIT.jpg PXL_20250802_000439634.PORTRAIT.jpg
    PXL_20250804_204844719.PORTRAIT.jpg
     
    pnevells, aircap, mad mikey and 10 others like this.
  2. TA DAD
    Joined: Mar 2, 2014
    Posts: 1,621

    TA DAD
    Member
    from NC

    The trailer was great, I am waiting for the release. Never been to the salt but I have watched everything I come across about it.
     
    mad mikey, rod1 and grovergroover like this.
  3. Spooky
    Joined: Mar 3, 2001
    Posts: 2,530

    Spooky
    Member

    It was cool watching you guys from the starting line.
     
    mad mikey and grovergroover like this.
  4. Dave Gray
    Joined: Sep 4, 2010
    Posts: 302

    Dave Gray
    Member

    Great video. Most speed enthusiasts have no idea how much blood sweat and tears
    Is poured into the effort to go fast at Bonneville. E.J. Is one of the best landspeed
    Racers and he deserves to be in the famed 200 Mile club.
     
    mad mikey, rod1, Spooky and 2 others like this.
  5. brady1929
    Joined: Sep 30, 2006
    Posts: 9,629

    brady1929
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

  6. chlsnk
    Joined: Dec 11, 2008
    Posts: 176

    chlsnk
    Member

    Great work. I made it to 2024 speed week for the first time and I've thought about it every week since. I think the music on the videos is too loud thought.
     
    Last edited: Dec 12, 2025 at 9:35 PM
    rod1, RMR&C and grovergroover like this.
  7. grovergroover
    Joined: Sep 16, 2008
    Posts: 8

    grovergroover
    Member
    from PA

    I've always wanted to go and when the opportunity came up I jumped at the chance. I hope you get the same chance to go! Thanks for the kind words. Enjoy the story. It was fun putting this together.
     
    loudbang, mad mikey and winduptoy like this.
  8. grovergroover
    Joined: Sep 16, 2008
    Posts: 8

    grovergroover
    Member
    from PA

    Nice! It was a great experience for me. I've drag raced my whole life and it was fun to experience another motorsport I'm equally as hooked on now. :)
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  9. grovergroover
    Joined: Sep 16, 2008
    Posts: 8

    grovergroover
    Member
    from PA

    EJ has been going to the salt for 37 years. I was lucky enough to be able to help this year and experience Speed Week as a salt virgin. The weather, the records, 200mph club, it was all so incredible.
     
    mad mikey likes this.
  10. tubman
    Joined: May 16, 2007
    Posts: 8,232

    tubman
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    Did you ever get the rear drum off?
     
  11. rusty1
    Joined: Nov 25, 2004
    Posts: 13,052

    rusty1
    Member

    thanks fer posting
     
    seb fontana likes this.

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