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Street Machine Nationals open Friday in Du Quoin

After an unwelcome hiatus in 2020, the popular Street Machine Nationals are back at the Du Quoin State Fairgrounds today through Sunday.

Visitors will see little evidence of the pandemic that shut everything down for more than a year as they visit the Nationals this weekend - more cleaning crews, for one, scrubbing down the bathrooms more frequently - and some masking that will be required in buildings.

But it's all about the vehicles and there will be plenty of them on hand - high-performance street machines, hot rods, street trucks and the best dream machines from coast-to-coast.

All of this located on acres of shady and manicured grounds, and a 20-acre lake. The Du Quoin State Fairgrounds provides a breathtaking backdrop and great scenery for the Continental Tire Cruise Route.

Street Machine Nationals participants can actively engage and show the true performance of their vehicle in the Continental Tire Burnout Contest and the Dyno Challenge. For those looking for hard to find parts and pieces for their rides, the Egyptian Antique Auto Club will be host a Swap Meet again this year.

Wally Elder, who 30 years ago debuted a 1969 Dodge Daytona at the Street Machine Nationals, is back. As part of Pro Street Alley, Elder will debut yet another 1969 Daytona that he has been building.

The Performance Marketplace will feature industry-leading brands with the latest parts, products and services, with many vendors offering special "Show-Only" pricing. Among the vendors, who will be in attendance are: Continental Tire, Mpp Products, Backwoods Speed Shop/ Big Bear Parts and Southern Indiana Jax Wax.

Numerous pro-judged awards will be handed out in a variety of categories during the Street Machine Nationals as part of the Show-N-Shine Awards. A new award - the "Modern Muscle Award" - will be given to vehicles from the year 2000 and newer.

If you go

Dates: June 4-6

Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday; 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets: Online prices, $13 for age 13 and up. At the gate, $15 for age 13 and up. Ages 12 and under: Free. Buy tickets online at www.streetmachinenationals.net.

Vendors are stocking up for the crowds on Friday. Jodee Harmon photo
The curtains will be pulled back Friday morning. Jodee Harmon photo