Street rods to roll into town for Memorial Day weekend

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If you've never seen a Model T with air conditioning, cruise control and a booming stereo, the National Street Rod Association Mid-America Street Rod Nationals will feature around 2,000 such cars at its 17th annual event at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds May 26-28, according to Pat Newell, the special events director for the NSRA. |ret||ret||tab|

The NSRA has more than 56,000 members worldwide and is based in Memphis, Tenn. This year's exhibition at the fairgrounds will be the second largest street rod show west of the Mississippi River, Newell said. |ret||ret||tab|

"We started with 1,212 cars in the show, and we'll easily go over 2,000 this year. The vendors have really increased; they've more than doubled in numbers, too, and that's due to the fact Springfield has the new E-Plex at the fairgrounds," Newell said. Newell has been involved with the NSRA for 25 years and has two street rods of his own to show at the event.|ret||ret||tab|

A street rod is defined as an automobile manufactured prior to 1949 that has been modified for travel on today's highways, according to the NSRA. Street rods are not racing cars, but they are designed and built for reliability and comfort and have many of the same features as late-model vehicles, such as air conditioning, power steering, cruise control, power brakes and stereos. |ret||ret||tab|

Street rods are valued in excess of $20,000 each. The street rod nationals will feature more than $34 million worth of vehicles, according to the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau. |ret||ret||tab|

Newell said Springfield is a prime location for an event such as the Street Rod Nationals because of the E-Plex and an abundance of lodging and entertainment for NSRA exhibitors and vendors.|ret||ret||tab|

"The Ozark Empire Fairgrounds has constantly improved its accommodations ... (E-Plex) is an excellent location for the event: It holds the event and has all the amenities we need. Secondly, I have to have a hotel base, and you certainly have that in Springfield. The third thing I look for is entertainment for the participants, and you're right in the middle of what's happening in Missouri," Newell said. |ret||ret||tab|

He said eating at Springfield's many restaurants and shopping at the Battlefield Mall and Bass Pro are favorite activities, and that Grizzly Tools at the corner of Battlefield and Kansas Expressway will also be an entertainment draw to street rod participants this year. |ret||ret||tab|

Larry Krauck, CVB sports sales manager, said the CVB is always looking for different exhibitions such as the Street Rod Nationals to bring to Springfield. |ret||ret||tab|

"We're constantly looking for new events, or events that have not been in Springfield before and are looking for more of a small-town feel," Krauck said.|ret||ret||tab|

The street rod show will feature 90 commercial exhibitors of specialty street rod parts and accessories from across the United States, including vendors from Reeds Spring, O'Fallon and Blue Springs. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 26, 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m. May 27 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. May 28. |ret||ret||tab|

Tickets can be purchased at the fairgrounds and online at |bold_on|ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $10 for adults and $3 for children ages 6-12. |ret||ret||tab|

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