Day 1 of the 2010 Car Craft Summer Nationals

The 2010 Car Craft Summer Nationals presented by GM Performance Division roared to life at the Minnesota State Fairground. Even though this is Day 1 of three days, and technically a workday, hundreds of cars showed up for the start of three days of automotive bliss.

The day started quickly under an almost cloudless sky. Tires began squealing at the QA1 Autocross, engine screamed toward redline at the Lucas Oil Dyno Challenge presented by E3 Spark Plugs, and traction was strained to the limit at the CCSN Launch Box. Anyone can participate in the events but those three challenges are mandatory for the Real Street Eliminator competition.

The pictures and video below are to give you a taste of just some of what you can see here. Each participant was asked to fill out and display a form with the year, make model of their car, their name, hometown and lastly any "Cool Stuff" details. Some did this, some didn't. So, if there wasn't any information or the owner nearby we'd shoot the car anyway. No info doesn't mean the car isn't cool.

Tomorrow should be even busier as the weekend kicks off and gates open an hour earlier at 9:00 a.m. Check back here for more exclusive coverage and videos of the 2010 Car Craft Summer Nationals!

Day 1 of the 2010 Car Craft Summer Nationals

1976 Vega - Randy Hallamek, Shoreview, MN
Cool Stuff: 468 BBC

Hot rod, muscle cars and vintage rides were rolling in to the Minnesota State Farigrounds all day long.
Hot rod, muscle cars and vintage rides were rolling in to the Minnesota State Farigrounds
1974 Challenger - Al and Donna Hagemeier, White Bear Lake, MN

1972 El Camino - Bruce Johnson, Osceola, WI

Cool Stuff: Being Here!
1965 Ranchero - Brian Frauly, Columbia Heights, MN

1967 Chevelle - Tim Bohnen, Stillwater, MN
1970 Torino GT

That's the Torino's owner Ray Kohler of St. Paul, MN in the in the back with the white shirt, hat and thumbs up sign. Ray and his buddies were in a prime spot to watch all the cruising iron roll by.
That's the Torino's owner Ray Kohler of St. Paul, MN in the in the back with the white shi
1977 Impala - Mark and Theresa Keys, Bloomington, MN

Mark and Theresa's Impala was on of the highlights of the 2006 CCSN and was seen in Car Craft back in December '06.
Mark and Theresa's Impala was on of the highlights of the 2006 CCSN and was seen in Car Cr
1970 Nova - Jeff Beaufoy, Prior Lake, MN
Cool Stuff: Jeff's Nova was featured in the October 2009 issue of Car Craft.

2009 Viper SRT-10 - Keith Anderson, Lonsdale, MN
Cool Stuff: Keith and his Viper won the 2009 Car Craft Real Street Eliminator.
1969 Super Bee - Brad Knuth, Brooklyn Park, MN

Cool Stuff: It's his Mom's car
1969 Fairlane - Herb Klemz, Blaine, MN
Cool Stuff: It was in the February 2005 issue of Car Craft.

1969 GTS Dart - Wayne Klemz, Blaine, MN
Cool Stuff: Factory M Code
1973 Duster - Mike Wiegel, Coon Rapids, MN

Cool Stuff: Street Driven, Raced Weekends
1988 Olds Delta 88 Hearse - Keith Hochstedler, Osseo, MN
Cool Stuff: Check out the plate

1967 Camaro - "Camaro" Jeff, Hudson, WI
Cool Stuff: Street legal, all home-built and painted. 8.60 in the 1/4 mile at 160 mph.
GM Performance Division is here in force and displaying some very cool cars, like...

This Corvette Stingray Concept and...
Their Camaro LS7 Concept. If you're here be sure to stop by and check out the massive display and cars GM Performance Division has brought.
Their Camaro LS7 Concept. If you're here be sure to stop by and check out the massive disp
Each participant had their car photographed as they entered the fairgrounds and could get a poster-sized shot of it - pretty cool.
Each participant had their car photographed as they entered the fairgrounds and could get

1969 Mustang Fastback - Jim Voorhees, Lake City, MN

Cool stuff: The Mustang has had 20 body modifications including a custom grille, taillights and a chopped top.
1969 Mustang Fastback - Jim Voorhees, Lake City, MN Cool stuff: The Mustang has had 20

1979 Firebird - Greg Gottenberg, Detroit Lakes, MN
Cool Stuff: This is the third engine Greg has put in his Firebird - and he's got another one waiting.
Cool Stuff: This is the third engine Greg has put in his Firebird - and he's got another o
Scott Frankenberg (right) of White Bear Lake, MN shares a laugh with Jim Hetzler of Hetz Pinstripping as Jim puts some custom flames put on Scott's 2005 Dodge SRT-10 pickup.
Scott Frankenberg (right) of White Bear Lake, MN shares a laugh with Jim Hetzler of Hetz P

Jim will be at the 2010 CCSN all weekend doing custom work so stop by if your car is begging for some flames or pinstripes. You can see Jim's work at www.jchetzstudio.com.
Jim will be at the 2010 CCSN all weekend doing custom work so stop by if your car is beggi
Yeah, this event is A-Ok.
The Lucas Oil Dyno Challenge presented by E3 Spark Plugs always draws a crowd. The dyno will be running all weekend and anyone can get two pulls with their car for a nominal cost.
The Lucas Oil Dyno Challenge presented by E3 Spark Plugs always draws a crowd. The dyno wi

Some posing in front of the Lucas Oil Challenge presented by E3 Spark Plugs.
Real Street Eliminator competitor David Alfred pounds on his 1969 Camaro at the QA1 Autocross.
Real Street Eliminator competitor David Alfred pounds on his 1969 Camaro at the QA1 Autocr
This Vega gets a bit too sideways on the autocross.

A crowd favorite at the QA1 Autocross was Jon Peterson of Minneapolis, MN flinging his 1956 Willys through the cones.
A crowd favorite at the QA1 Autocross was Jon Peterson of Minneapolis, MN flinging his 195
Miller Electric was giving hands-on welding tips all day and will continue doing it all weekend. Stop by their display and get some professional advice on how to hone your welding skills.
Miller Electric was giving hands-on welding tips all day and will continue doing it all we