Lady Rodders Rule at Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum during June Cruise Night

POMONA, Calif. (June 2, 2005) – You knew it was Ladies’ Night during Twilight Cruise Night at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum when the hot rods showed up wearing mascara!

Sure enough, the third Cruise Night of the 2005 season had a distinct feminine hot rodder touch to it. For example, Olive Moore’s 1926 Model T had long lashes and mascara on the headlights and Brittany Lustig’s ’70 Mustang included a mounted flamed heart with “heartbreaker” written on. Yes, ladies certainly ruled the Fairplex in Pomona for the evening. Cruise Night has become a highly popular event at the Parks Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, and the cars and people poured in for this one. All told there were approximately 1,000 people and almost 400 cool classics, rods and muscle cars.

 “Guys aren’t the only ones who like hot rods,” said Sam Jackson, executive director of the Parks Museum. “Ladies’ Night gives women the chance to show off their rides. And like the guys, they are proud of their cars and love hot rodding.”
He’s not foolin’. The women who displayed their colorful creations were quite serious about the sport…and their cars.

Checking out O’Dell’s Zephyr was 13-year-old Caitlin Walker, daughter of National Dragster Managing Editor Vicky Walker, who was one of the guest judges for the evening. “I like the back of the car,” said young Caitlin. Her mom, however, picked a way-different car as her winning choice: a color-shift-painted ’55 Chevy Bel Air owned by Charlie Tachdjian of Laverne, Calif. “I like the detail – the shaved door handles, custom brace under the hood and the off-white interior with accents,” Walker said. “And the color really grabbed me!”

Scheduled for the first Wednesday of the month – from April through December – Cruise Nights transform the popular motorsports museum in Pomona, Calif., into hot rod heaven as cool pre-1970 rods, customs, classics and muscle cars fill two parking lots.

Next Twilight Cruise is set for Wed., July 6th. Cruise Nights, which run from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and are hosted by the Cal Rods car club, include raffles, prizes and a huge 50/50 drawing. Admission to the Twilight Cruise is free, and all who attend receive free admission to the Parks Museum as well. Food and beverages are available for purchase.

Dates for the rest of the season’s Twilight Cruise Nights are: July 6, Aug. 3, a special Aug. 31 date, replacing September’s cruise due to the dates of the L.A. County Fair, Oct. 5, Nov. 2 and the annual Toy Drive on Dec. 7. For more information, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com

The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

The Parks Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., PST, with extended hours during NHRA national events. Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for juniors six through 15, and free for children under the age of five. The Parks Museum is also available for private parties, meetings, corporate events, weddings and special group tours. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Ave. in Pomona. For further information on special exhibits, museum events or directions, call 909/622-2133 or visit museum.nhra.com.