2002 Las Vegas Super Chevy Show - Super Chevy Magazine

2002 Las Vegas Super Chevy Show Corvette

A few miles down the road there's another Strip where "7" is the lucky number. Run a "7" in a Nitro Coupe and you are on the trailer. The '02 Super Chevy Nitro Coupe champion, Dan Nickelson, already had the title wrapped up, but he kept the heat on in the final run, winning over last year's champ and this year's runner-up Jim Nordhougen. It was a fitting finale with the two top contenders doing their best right down to the last run of the season. Nickelson ran a startling 234.70 mph in 6.379 seconds to nose out Nordhougen's 220.15 mph in 6.420 seconds. There is just no time to relax and get an easy win with the field of Nitro Coupe contenders racing at Super Chevy Shows.

Beginning early on the Friday morning of the Super Chevy weekend, 25 L.A.-to-Vegas cruisers joined another half-dozen SUPER CHEVY magazine staffers at K&N Engineering in Riverside for a complimentary bite to eat to start the cruise. A few hundred miles and some hours later we rolled into the Las Vegas Raceway, none the worse for wear, for a great lunch and truly cool raffle prizes donated by several manufacturers.

The cruise benefited a group of Los Angeles Police Department members-spearheaded by our friend Detective Caesar Ramirez--who have taken it upon themselves to purchase bicycle helmets for kids in L.A. who like to ride their bikes but can't afford a helmet. Hundreds of helmets have been handed out to deserving boys and girls over the years, and we're glad to help.

SUPER CHEVY Magazine 30th Anniversary Award winner Mike Whitfield of Moreno Valley, CA, shows off the last award to be given this year. Only 20 (one at each Super Chevy Show) were chosen and it's fitting that Mike's car was one of them. It's an outstanding Tri-Five classic and he drove it with us on the L.A.-to-Vegas Cruise.
SUPER CHEVY Magazine 30th Anniversary Award winner Mike Whitfield of Moreno Valley, CA, sh
What a cutey! Mel and Jeanette Ertz of Grand Junction, CO, entered this fine little '50 Chevy coupe and took home the Outstanding Custom Rod" Award from Custom Rodder Magazine. The car also took the class win for Big Car '49-54-Modified.
What a cutey! Mel and Jeanette Ertz of Grand Junction, CO, entered this fine little '50 Ch
Butch Jeter from Redding, CA, received lots of crowd attention for his clean '63. We gave it an Editor's Choice Top Ten Show Car award.
Butch Jeter from Redding, CA, received lots of crowd attention for his clean '63. We gave

What sparkles more, the trophies or the grins of the show car winners? Doesn't really matter, as everyone was a happy camper at the end of the day.
What sparkles more, the trophies or the grins of the show car winners? Doesn't really matt
A Pro Street '69 Chevelle such as this just has to get attention. We gave an Editor's Choice Top Ten Show Car award to Kim and Diane Lapick of San Clemente, CA.
A Pro Street '69 Chevelle such as this just has to get attention. We gave an Editor's Choi
The Best Corvette Award from Trim Parts and Vette magazine went to Bill and Karen Verboon from Hanford, CA, for their unique '62 Corvette. The award is shown being presented by Darryl Bowman of Trim Parts.
The Best Corvette Award from Trim Parts and Vette magazine went to Bill and Karen Verboon

"Big Mike" Swinarski blasts off in the cool desert evening. Only completed for the Gainesville show, this car is not only beautiful but is a definite threat to the competition for next season. Stay tuned.
"Big Mike" Swinarski blasts off in the cool desert evening. Only completed for the Gainesv
Nitro Coupe driver Mel Eaves was instrumental in establishing a once-a-season award in the name of Jerry Gannon, our friend who was killed in a jet racer crash this season. The first winner is Super Chevy Show announcer and all-around good guy, Jerry Daisey, seen accepting the award from Eaves.
Nitro Coupe driver Mel Eaves was instrumental in establishing a once-a-season award in the
Rocky Carrow's '55 wagon is definitely something we'd like to have for cruising Carrow's native Las Vegas streets. When it hits the road now, he can brag about his Editor's Choice Top Ten Show Car award.
Rocky Carrow's '55 wagon is definitely something we'd like to have for cruising Carrow's n

As staffers of SUPER CHEVY we are often approached by an owner of a red '55 Chevy (as common as they are) who wants his car on the cover. Roger Gustin has been no exception. After months of trying to convince Tony Kelly that his car would make a great cover, we obliged. Although this cover will never hit the newsstands, we're sure that Roger will cherish it for years to come.
As staffers of SUPER CHEVY we are often approached by an owner of a red '55 Chevy (as comm
Mark Newberry of Raybestos Brakes joined us on the L.A.-to-Vegas tour and was prepared to assist any broken cars, and to award one with a Hard Luck Trophy. Our Cruisers had no trouble, but at the Show we found a worthy recipient of the Trophy. Jared McNally, who came all the way from Lawrence, KS, to race his '63 Nova, first blew up a motor on Friday (did a job on it as can be seen in the foreground). He installed a new engine, then on Saturday, he put a hole in a slick. Ironically, it was possible to replace the motor, but he could not find a new tire, so he was done. At least he took home the Raybestos Trophy.
Mark Newberry of Raybestos Brakes joined us on the L.A.-to-Vegas tour and was prepared to
Tony Kelly braves dozens of airports, endless miles of road, and many weekends away from home to provide SUPER CHEVY with coverage of the Super Chevy Shows. All of his hard work has not gone unnoticed by the Autostar staff (producers of the Super Chevy Shows) of whom he's a particular favorite. In recognition, they presented him with this well-deserved plaque.
Tony Kelly braves dozens of airports, endless miles of road, and many weekends away from h

Dan Nickelson accepts his Nitro Coupe Championship trophy from Race Director Bill Gustin for a hard-fought battle in the points race. It was a long, tough season, beginning with the '02 Pomona Super Chevy show, but Dan made it through with help from his family/crew.
Dan Nickelson accepts his Nitro Coupe Championship trophy from Race Director Bill Gustin f
Editor Terry Cole is presented with this plaque on behalf of SUPER CHEVY for the magazine's coverage and support of the Shows.
Editor Terry Cole is presented with this plaque on behalf of SUPER CHEVY for the magazine'
Al Bufford,Lakewood, CA, '68 Camaro