2004 State 2 State Cruise - Events

Fourth Stop: NHRA Museum and JC Whitney-sponsored LunchCruisin' to the NHRA museum was a bit of a backtrack since the ultimate destination was Las Vegas. But JC Whitney sponsored lunch, and a free tour of the museum made it worthwhile. Speaking of lunch, the JC Whitney-sponsored feed of hamburgers, chips, and a drink hit the spot. And a relaxing tour of the NHRA museum was the perfect setup for the cruise across the desert to Las Vegas.

The bulk of the cruisers ramped up to freeway speed eastbound on I-10 just after the lunch hour. Traffic was flowing and we could move through it easily all the way to I-15 North. Once we headed northbound and got into the high desert, we started hitting a storm moving through the area. The rain and the construction on the I-15 combined to make the normally three- to three-and-a-half-hour trip to Vegas slightly longer - OK, a lot longer, but it could've been worse. At least we had a lot of cool rigs to look at while we inched our way across the desert.

Fifth Stop: AIM Industries Dinner Party in VegasThis trip to Vegas set a personal-best record in the longest-commute category. From the time we left the NHRA museum, it was at least five hours later when we pulled into the Lady Luck Hotel parking lot. And to add to the excitement and uncertainty of the event, there was rain coming down - in Vegas. When it rains in the desert, it usually floods, and the skies were growing dark, so we were hoping that the "no rain" chant was going to work its magic. Because of the rain and the extended commute from L.A., the Aim Industries dinner party, which was originally scheduled to start at 6 p.m., was delayed some to welcome the late-arriving - and by this time, very hungry - cruisers. AIM put on a spread of barbecue chicken, baked beans, corn on the cob, hot rolls, and slaw. The company also provided entertainment, with a rocking DJ mixin' it up into the wee hours. We announced the Poker Run winners as well as the raffle winners of the Vortex bedliner and Van Demon paintjob.

In spite of the extended time of the cruise from L.A. to Vegas and the uncertainty of the weather, the State 2 State Cruise was a huge hit. We have to thank our sponsors once again for showing our readers a great time. Give it up to Chevy Trucks, JC Whitney, our presenting and co-presenting sponsors, along with Truckin', Mini Truckin', Sport Truck, OFF-ROAD, Truckin's SUV, Custom Classic Trucks, Fremont Street Experience, AIM Industries, Dealer's Sport Truck, Gibson Exhaust, Vortex, advanced FLOW engineering, KAIK Products, Pro Car Parts, Smeding Performance, Alfa Otto, and Maxo Auto Trends. The event would not have happened without them.