Hot Rod Power Tour – Day 2: Rain, Route 66, and Rolling On
If Day 1 was about excitement and anticipation, Day 2 was about perseverance, flexibility, and embracing the unexpected.
The day started with plenty of rain and less-than-ideal conditions for traveling in a 60-year-old classic car. While the weather wasn’t exactly cooperating, the Mustang kept moving down the road. They did discover a small leak around the passenger door seal, but thankfully it was nothing a few towels couldn’t handle.
As if the rain wasn’t enough, the hotel experience left much to be desired- Then came the hotel.
Let’s just say it won’t be making anyone’s Top 10 Places to Stay list.
Just when everyone thought the day couldn’t get any more interesting, the group discovered around midnight that the next night’s hotel was permanently closed. Not overbooked. Not sold out. Closed.
Permanently.
Cue the late-night scramble as everyone searched for new accommodations while trying to get some sleep before another long day on the road. Thankfully, a solution was found, and despite the unexpected detour in planning, everyone successfully made it to the next overnight stop in Rantoul, IL.
One of the best parts was having family meet up with the group. They spent time touring the incredible collection of cars, meeting fellow enthusiasts, and taking in everything that makes the HOT ROD Power Tour such a unique experience. Thousands of cars, countless stories, and a shared passion for automotive history make every stop feel like a giant family reunion.
One of the things I’ve enjoyed most while following along is learning about the history behind the route itself. Before this week, I knew very little about how or why Hot Rod Power selects its routes each year. What I’ve discovered is that the journey is about much more than cars.
The drive from Joliet to Rantoul follows a significant stretch of historic Route 66, covering approximately 101 miles rich with American history. Southwest of Chicago, Route 66 follows the historic Pontiac Trail, an ancient Native American pathway that later became a stagecoach route. This section was also the first stretch of Route 66 to be completely paved, creating a vital connection between the growing city of Chicago and the farming communities of rural Illinois.
As thousands of classic cars travel these roads during the centennial celebration of Route 66, they’re following a path that generations of travelers have used for centuries. The destination itself carries historical significance as well. Rantoul is home to the former Chanute Air Force Base, a location that played an important role in aviation and military training history for decades
My aunt may have stolen the spotlight when she got “pulled over” while driving her scooter around the event grounds. Okay, she didn’t actually get pulled over. But the story was funny enough that it quickly became one of the highlights of the day.
The 1966 Mustang continues to prove itself one mile at a time, and despite a few bumps in the road, the adventure rolls on.
Stay tuned for more stories, photos, and updates as the HOT ROD Power Tour continues down the historic roads of Route 66.
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