A good adventure becomes a great one when you have the right people along for the ride, and that’s exactly what we had during the 2026 Pavement Pounder Events – Motor City to Wheel Hub Live at the Museum of American Speed, presented by Heatshield Products. We started in Detroit as a group of people in just over two dozen cars and trucks, eager to cruise the back roads of America’s heartland on our way to Lincoln, Nebraska. When we reached Lincoln with 2,200 miles behind us, we had become a group of friends sharing an unforgettable experience along with personal stories and memories that made the journey even more meaningful.
“Pavement Pounder Events is about much more than driving from Point A to Point B,” explains founder Cole Quinnell, “We want participants to experience the kind of road trip where people actually get to know one another, swapping stories that car people understand. There are driving events where thousands of people travel more or less the same route, but they feel anonymous. On our trips, everyone experiences the journey and the stops together. Historic automotive stops, exclusive access and once-in-a-lifetime opportunities.”
During the Motor City to Wheel Hub Live event, we traveled almost exclusively on scenic back roads, exploring world-class automotive museums and discovering small-town America. See our guide book with the complete route and all the stops here.
The museums were outstanding. The roads were spectacular. The small towns were unforgettable. Wheel Hub Live was a blast, and we got an added bonus with dedicated parking spots at the Museum of American Speed/Speedway Motors Cars & Coffee get together with hundreds of head turning and interesting cars and trucks.
If you ask most participants what they’ll remember most, it probably won’t be a single destination. It’ll be the people they shared this journey with. That’s the difference between taking a drive and experiencing a Pavement Pounder Events road trip. At the end of the adventure, you’ll find yourself wishing the road trip wasn’t over.
Our first day was spent enjoying Detroit-area automotive activities, and there is plenty to do in the Motor City! First thing in the morning, we drove to TREMEC U.S. headquarters in Novi, Michigan, for a Cars & Coffee gathering. TREMEC also gave participants something extra to look forward to—a TKX 5-speed manual transmission was awarded to one lucky 2026 Pavement Pounder Events participant. Also, Centerforce awarded a clutch kit to another lucky participant.
We spent the afternoon at The Henry Ford and Greenfield Village, and then enjoyed a catered kickoff dinner surrounded by the incredible performance vehicles of the Lingenfelter Collection. Ken Lingenfelter welcomed participants, signed autographs and shared stories and details about vehicles throughout the collection.
Before hitting the road each morning, participants popped their hoods, checking fluids and/or showing off their engine. An open hood quickly attracted others ready to lend a hand, helping ensure no one was left behind.
Our sponsors did far more than put their names on the event—they helped make the entire Pavement Pounder Events experience possible. Their support allowed us to create a memorable journey filled with incredible destinations, shared experiences and lasting friendships. We are proud to work with companies that recognize the value of bringing automotive enthusiasts together, and we sincerely thank each of them for helping make this adventure one to remember.
Departing Detroit for our first full day on the road, the group headed to Auburn, Indiana, and the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg Museum. The building is as much an art museum as an automotive museum, showcasing the beautiful Art Deco-inspired designs of high-end luxury vehicles from the 1920s and 1930s.
Beyond the cars, engine displays highlighted the impressive inline and V-shaped engines that powered these masterpieces, along with the revolutionary front-wheel-drive system pioneered by Cord. The exhibits had us imagining what it would have been like to drive one of these cars cross-country before the interstate highway system.
The next morning began with a lively debate over hotel breakfast pancakes versus make-your-own waffles. The great syrup debate of 2026 would follow a few days later. Then it was off to the “Racing Capital of the World”—Indianapolis Motor Speedway and its renowned museum, which chronicles more than a century of racing at the Brickyard. With the Indianapolis 500 just days away, the entire facility was buzzing with activity and excitement – an ideal time for our group to visit.
Meet Bob Church, left, driver of the second-longest vehicle on the 2026 road trip—by only a few inches. This being his second Pavement Pounder Events adventure, Bob treated everyone like an old friend he had swapped car stories with for years. That camaraderie develops quickly on our trips, adding to the fun at planned stops, fuel and lunch breaks and evenings spent relaxing together at the hotel.
Walking through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum gave participants an up-close look at generations of open-wheel race cars that competed in the Indianapolis 500. Pavement Pounder Events schedules plenty of time at each stop so everyone can explore without feeling rushed.
The Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum provided an ideal backdrop for our official group photo. Although it was only day two on the road, we were already beginning to feel like friends sharing a road trip rather than people simply following the same set of driving directions.
Multi-City Participants
| Participants | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Jason and Lucia Taylor | 1986 Chevrolet C10 |
| Ray and Celia Marks | 1975 Pontiac Grand Ville Brougham |
| Brent and Sharon Casteel | 1970 Chevrolet Suburban |
| Bob Church | 1960 Chevrolet Impala |
| Dennis and Lynda Jackson | 2023 Hyundai Sonata |
| Michael and Krista Murphey | 1957 Chevrolet 1500 |
| Jeff Russell | 1968 Oldsmobile Cutlass |
| James Strite | 1965 Chevrolet Chevelle Wagon |
| Doug Hallberg | 1994 Chevrolet Caprice Wagon |
| John Flannigan | 2008 Ford Mustang |
| Phil and Heather Dicarlo | 1968 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Mike Kidd | 1999 Ford Lightning |
| Kevin Hammill | 2002 Camaro Indy 500 Pace Car |
| Steve Ickes | 1975 Bricklin |
| Matt Wilkinson and Ryan Fisher | 1994 Mercury Cougar |
| Ryan Zimmerly | 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra |
| Phil Jacobs | 2006 Ford Mustang GT |
| Ron and Julie Smith | 1974 Chevrolet Camaro |
| Bill and Beth Ault | 1969 Chevrolet Nova |
| Bary Van Hoose | 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 |
| George Murdoch and Cheri Fernau | 1959 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Charlie and Sharon Burgess | 2025 GMC 2500 |
| Ron and Tyler Holland | 1972 Oldsmobile Cutlass |
| Jeff and Karol Smith | 1967 Chevrolet Chevelle |
| Scott Liggett and John McHarness | 1965 Chevrolet Impala SS |
Detroit Area Participants
| Participants | Vehicle |
|---|---|
| John Jendza and Victoria Mobley | 2008 Chevrolet Corvette |
| Chris Kill | 2001 Chevrolet S10 |
| Philip and Emily Ickes | 2014 Ford Mustang |
| George Fuseli and Suzanne Stortz | 1969 Ford Mustang Mach 1 |
| Greg and Barbara Csernai | 1967 Ford Mustang GT350 |
| John Dubbs | 2005 Cadillac XLR |
With Cole Quinnell and his brother Kyle leading the pack in Cole’s 1966 Chevelle, we traveled through the back roads, farming communities and river towns of Illinois and Iowa on our 4th day of driving. Along the way, our route crossed the Mississippi, Missouri and Platte rivers—America’s original transportation network, created by nature long before the interstate highway system.
Our participants even find ways to have fun during lunch and fuel stops, including Thirty-Six Saloon in Rockville, Indiana. The Harley-Davidson sculpture out front inspired Brent Casteel to do motorcycle karaoke, prompting plenty of laughs.
Being able to enjoy lunch together each day provided some extra entertainment, one of the advantages of being in a modestly-sized caravan. And being able to stop at local eateries instead of chain restaurants provided the chance to enjoy some local specials. Our next Pavement Pounder Events road trip maybe we’ll do a special piece like “Meals from the Road While Seeing America” or “How I Wrecked My Diet in 2,000 Miles and Had Fun Doing It.”
One of our planned photo stops was the Sim Smith Covered Bridge near Montezuma, Indiana. The posted weight limit prohibits vehicles weighing 6,000 pounds or more. And the ancient wood did not inspire overconfidence, making a few of the heavyweight cruisers think twice. Thankfully, we crossed safely and we avoided reenacting the bridge scene from Funny Farm.
Iconic moments in backroad cruising. It doesn’t matter whether you drive a prized classic, a modern performance car or something that simply makes you smile when you turn the key. Pavement Pounder Events is about taking that road less traveled and spotting the unexpected. You don’t see America – the real America – at 80 mph on the interstate.
A stop at Route 66 Motorheads Bar & Grill in Springfield, Illinois, officially put the Pavement Pounder Events group on the Mother Road during its 100th anniversary year. Motorheads also houses one of the route’s most impressive collections of Route 66 and classic-car memorabilia, giving everyone plenty to explore before getting back behind the wheel.
Even a fuel stop becomes part of the fun—unless the station has only one restroom. Our rolling car show rarely pulls in unnoticed, often sparking questions and conversations with other travelers. Some recall family road trips from years ago, while others say, “That sounds like fun,” perhaps planting the seed for an adventure of their own.
We can only imagine what local residents thought as our caravan rumbled down their normally quiet back roads through the rural farm communities of the Midwest. Leading the pack in this photo is the answer to our longest-car contest: Ray and Celia Marks’ 1975 Pontiac Grand Ville Brougham convertible. After bringing their 1964 Plymouth Valiant wagon last year, they chose a little more luxury for the drive to Nebraska — and the 226.2-inch long, 455-powered “luxobarge” delivered it. The big Poncho edged out Bob Church’s 210.8-inch-long 1960 Chevrolet Impala for the title.
Steve Ickes’ 1975 Bricklin SV-1 attracted attention everywhere it stopped—and opening its gullwing doors guaranteed an audience. Bricklins were offered for only two model years, from 1974–1975, with some 1975 models being sold in 1976. The 1974 models used AMC 360 V8s, while 1975 models received Ford 351 Windsor power. Steve has owned his Bricklin since 2000, and after rebuilding the engine and making other improvements, he now drives the rare Canadian-built sports car throughout the summer.
The back roads were lined with potential projects hiding beside barns, in fields and yards — some suffering from years of road salt, others looking remarkably solid. We were impressed and a little surprised that no one in our group stopped to buy one of these “diamonds in the rough.” Comparing the cars everyone spotted became a favorite topic of conversation each evening.”
Residents of Pulaski, Iowa, may have wondered what was going on as the Pavement Pounder Events caravan rolled through their small farm town while following a portion of Iowa’s Historic Hills Scenic Byway.
We started our last day of cross-country driving for Pavement Pounder Events 2026 with a visit to Karl Kustoms in Des Moines, Iowa. The Karl Kustoms crew welcomed us with a guided tour of the full facility, showing off the different types of work they do.
Karl Kustoms handles everything from tuning, parts installation and gauge upgrades to custom interiors, complete rebuilds and full vehicle builds. After exploring the showroom and parts store, our tour took us through the interior room and main shop, where projects ranged from stock-style restorations to customs — including a rare 1969 Mustang Boss, a flatfender Jeep and a Chevrolet GMT400 pickup.
Scott Liggett joined us in Des Moines, but just barely after his 1965 Impala sprung a pinion seal leak caused by a loose pinion nut and threatening to ruin more than his trip. The crew at Karl Kustoms came to the rescue though, bringing Scott’s Impala into the shop and replacing the pinion seal on the car’s 12-bolt rear so he’d be good to go with no worry of his differential running dry. An original SS, the car has a built small-block backed by a TREMEC Magnum 6-speed manual transmission.”
While touring Karl Kustoms, the group had the opportunity to tap into the incredible knowledge and experience of Jeff Smith, former editor of Hot Rod, Car Craft and Chevy High Performance magazines, who joined our trip at this juncture. Jeff drew an eager audience with his decades of technical expertise and entertaining stories from his many driving adventures. Check out this article and video interview where Jeff shares some of his more memorable experiences on the road.
From Karl Kustoms we hit the road for one of the very few interstate driving stints of the trip, from Des Moines to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum between Omaha and Lincoln, Nebraska.
Inside the museum is a fantastic collection of bombers, fighters, interceptors, missiles and support aircraft from the Strategic Air Command’s (SAC) history. Fun fact, SAC’s first commander, General Curtis LeMay, was a racing fan. As part of the lifestyle support and respite for SAC personnel, LeMay would allow races to be staged on the runways at SAC bases all over the country to entertain troops.
Our final official group dinner at Brewski’s Haymarket gave everyone a chance to relax, enjoy a good meal and revisit favorite moments from the road since leaving Detroit. It was a fitting end to the Pavement Pounder Events portion of the trip before the group joined the Wheel Hub Live event the following day.
Event sponsors TREMEC and Centerforce added extra excitement to the journey by offering a chance to win a TREMEC TKX 5-speed manual transmission and Centerforce clutch kit. Every registered participant was automatically entered to win. Bob Church, left, won the clutch, while Phil Jacobs, right, won the transmission. Both then surprised Jason Taylor, center, by giving him their prizes for his 1968 Chevrolet C-10 street-performance project. Jason’s stunned reaction — and Bob and Phil’s generosity — perfectly captured the friendships formed along the way on this Pavement Pounder Events adventure.
We ride at dawn! Well, not quite dawn, but it was still the earliest day of the trip. We made our way to the Museum of American Speed to get staged for the start of the Wheel Hub Live reliability cruise as part of the Wheel Hub Live event.
Unfortunately, the first leg of the Wheel Hub Live reliability cruise felt more like a monsoon. After weeks of drought around Lincoln, the skies naturally waited until a car cruise to deliver the first significant rain. No problem, though — our cars were built to be driven, and as everyone quickly confirmed, they do not melt in the rain.
The Wheel Hub Live reliability run brought us back to the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum, where the rain finally stopped and featured vehicles were welcomed inside the main hangar to park alongside the bombers.
From the museum, the reliability cruise continued to the Victory Lane garage condo complex, where impressive vehicles filled the grounds and private garages. The diverse lineup included classic American muscle cars, vintage motorcycles, European sports cars from multiple generations and even a pair of vintage NASCAR stock cars.
One of the highlights of Wheel Hub Live was exploring the Museum of American Speed, where seemingly every turn revealed another piece of racing history. From race cars and rare engines to vintage speed equipment and automotive memorabilia, there was something to capture the attention of every kind of car enthusiast.
The road trip ended at Wheel Hub Live, where our vehicles became part of the show and Pavement Pounder Events participants swapped stories with fellow car enthusiasts. The miles may be behind us, but the conversations — and friendships — were still going strong.
See more photos from this year’s event on the Pavement Pounder Events Facebook and Instagram channels.
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