No road has the enigma of Route 66. The “Mother Road” has been glorified in song and on screen, defining eras of American history since its birth almost a century ago.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #191, the 30 Under 30 Issue, in November / December of 2024.]
Route 66 was first an economic lifeline, linking Chicago with Los Angeles for the first time on a continuous highway. Completion of the project arrived in tandem with America’s growing love for the automobile. During the Great Depression, many Americans used the highway to move out west for better opportunities. Another wave of western migration occurred during World War II, as war-related industry grew in California.
In the 1950s, tourism became more important to Route 66, resulting in the creation of its many iconic roadside attractions. From natural wonders like Meteor Crater to tacky tourist traps like replica “Indian villages” (without any actual Native American involvement), Route 66’s myth and legend grew until the signing of the Interstate Highway Act in 1956. Those mega-roads bypassed the small towns that relied on passing traffic, and in 1984, Route 66 officially ceased to exist.
In the following decades, many sections of the road deteriorated (if they weren’t buried under the interstate years earlier). But passionate individuals recognized the importance of the road and many communities have worked since to restore and beautify what remains of Route 66.
What does all of this mean to a drag race? Edelbrock Sick 66 came from the mad minds at Sick The Magazine, who knew that cruising Route 66 was a bucket list item for many hot rodders. Six dragstrips were identified from Missouri to New Mexico and the idea was to run a one-off drag-and-drive event along America’s most famous road.
On October 10, over 200 racers and cruisers converged on Ozark Raceway Park, the starting point for this 1,300-mile journey. All were thrown into one class, with the singular goal of having the quickest average time over six eighth-mile race days, each at wildly different venues with varying track prep and altitude. Remember, this was a drag-and-drive event, so every single car was required to drive independently between tracks, without a support crew or hauler, using only what they could tow behind them on a single-axle trailer.
On day one, the contenders became clear. New York’s Jason Rousseau, who won Sick’s 2,000-mile Death Week epic last year, had a fresh LSX combo in his Chevy Malibu and delivered on day one with a 5.364. Pennsylvania’s Rick Steinke was right behind with a 5.401 out of his Chevelle Malibu. Both drivers were safety limited to 5.35, which opened the doors to two drivers who had a few more rollcage bars: Lamar Swindoll and Brooks Flaherty. Swindoll’s nitrous big-block-powered Camaro had low five-second capabilities but had a horror first day as he could not find traction, having to settle for a 6.338. Flaherty’s ratty Mustang handed in a 5.590, enabling him to stay in touch with the leaders.
Swindoll struck back on day two at Mo-Kan Dragway with a 5.326, but Rousseau and Steinke stayed right there with 5.382 and 5.413 times respectively. Swindoll needed to find tenths rather than hundredths to overcome the day one deficit.
He was again quickest at Tulsa Raceway Park with a 5.360, and again it was only hundredths gained thanks to Rousseau’s 5.398 and Steinke’s 5.439.
A drive day offered reprieve from the track as the field covered 290 miles of Route 66 on their way to Amarillo Dragway, where a strong crowd turned out to watch Rousseau stretch his lead with a 5.439, as Steinke fell to a 5.538 and Swindoll struggled to a 5.656. Altitude was beginning to enter the equation, with an almost 3,000-foot climb into Texas.
There was more to come, with racers ascending to Los Alamos, New Mexico, on the following day’s drive, reaching over 9,000 feet of altitude on a trek through stunning mountain landscapes. The destination would be Albuquerque Dragway, where even Rousseau’s motor was struggling to breathe, his 5.582 the quickest run of the day as Steinke and Swindoll fell further back.
The final race day saw the event veer off Route 66 and head for Roswell, New Mexico’s Alien City Dragway, a quirky venue next door to an airplane graveyard. There, Rousseau made the final run he needed, a 5.638 to finish with an average of 5.467, backing up his Death Week victory.
Results are one thing, but more than any other drag-and-drive event, Edelbrock Sick 66 was about the adventure. Racers were required to visit over 30 checkpoints between tracks, including everything from the Cuervo ghost town to the original entry gate for the Los Alamos National Laboratory. And between all of those checkpoints, as much of the route as possible was given over to Route 66. That meant some roads that were on the sketchier side, threatening anyone with a too-low oil pan, but also some roads of desolate beauty.
Passing the ruins of old motels and gas stations that had long since died, racers were also given a chance to help the businesses that remained. Edelbrock Sick 66 made sure to stop in at small-town museums, ice cream shops, and other attractions, with many enjoying their busiest day of the year thanks to the drag racers, cruisers, and spectators who attended.
Memories to last a lifetime, an adventure never to be forgotten. Edelbrock Sick 66 – you just had to be there.
This story was originally published on December 30, 2024. 
