By Tommy Lee Byrd
Photography by THE AUTHOR
Jeff Lutz debuted a brand-new race car at the 2024 Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP. The vibrant 1957 Chevy packs a 496ci combination with twin 88mm turbos, cranking out 4,000 hp.egarding automotive events, every seasoned hot rodder can agree that things were better when car shows had more energy. People were willing to drive long distances and work on their cars along the way; the result was a level of excitement that’s hard to replicate these days. At a time when car shows were struggling to keep the attention of their participants and spectators, the Tri-Five Nationals hit the ground running with an energetic event format and a captivated audience of eager Tri-Five Chevy enthusiasts. Now, in its ninth edition, the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP gives showgoers a reason to be excited. The result is more than 2,600 Tri-Fives and thousands of spectators swarming the expansive property at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky, during the second weekend of August.
The crew at the American Tri-Five Association, in combination with Woody’s Hot Rodz, puts together an outstanding event from start to finish, whether you’re a participant, spectator, vendor, or sponsor. There are new parts vendors and a huge swap meet to keep it interesting for those searching for parts and pieces for their project. The car show area is packed with various cars, ranging from all-original survivors to high-end show cars and everything in-between. Often, the “in-between” cars offer a great backstory, fun ownership history, and some cool homegrown details. The old drag cars, gassers, and street freaks always get a lot of attention. The drag racing pits have another level of dedicated cars and racers split into various classes to keep the competition tight. Daily exhibition runs, including Pro Modified cars and wheelstanders, give the crowd a reason to take a breather under the covered grandstands of the historic dragstrip. The Thursday night drags are a crowd favorite.
Daily 50/50 cash drawings command a big crowd, with thousands of dollars raised for local charities. A big moment comes at 6 p.m. on Saturday, as the Golden Star Auto Giveaway car is awarded to a lucky participant. Even more excitement revolves around the awards format, where vehicles are picked for the Top 25 on Friday and then narrowed down to the Top 5 awards on Saturday, eventually leading to the Tri-Five of the Year announcement and numerous specialty awards. A crowd of thousands watched as the awards were presented on Friday and Saturday afternoons.
Without question, the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP is one of the most energetic car events of the year. Even though it’s a tightly focused niche, the variety of Tri-Fives on the property keep people coming back year after year. Take a look at some of our favorite vehicles from the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP and make plans to join the fun August 7-9, 2025.
Larry Nelson piloted this 1955 Chevy 150 utility sedan to the NHRA Summernationals Super Stock victory in Englishtown, NJ, in 1972. Larry took home the Tri-Five Nationals Junior Stock win in his 265-powered sedan 52 years later.
It wouldn’t be a Tri-Five Chevy event without a few Two-Lane Blacktop and American Graffiti tribute cars, and this Two-Lane Blacktop 1955 Chevy had a rowdy exhaust note to complement its race-ready appearance.
Slick black paint accentuates the laser-straight body on this 1955 Chevy two-door sedan. Nomad wheel openings reveal piecrust slicks, and an aluminum-headed 409ci W motor is underhood.
More than 2,600 Tri-Five Chevys roll into Beech Bend Raceway Park for the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP.
You can count on Curt Thomas to be parked under the shade trees at Beech Bend Raceway Park, and his 1955 Chevy 210 is the epitome of hot rod stance with American Racing 200S wheels and fat rubber out back.
Station wagons make great hot rods, and Mike Cherry’s slick 1955 Handyman is the perfect example. It’s lowered a few inches and the Coker redline tires tie in beautifully with the red interior. Power comes from a 383 stroker.
David and Jewel Montgomery displayed this outstanding 1957 Chevy pickup coated in a mind-blowing color that danced in the Kentucky sun. The truck was built by Jackson Speed and Custom in Cartersville, GA, and received a Top 25 pick and Top 5 award.
Mike Bilina pilots this battered 1956 Chevy Gasser and puts on a show for a crowd of thousands daily. This year, he participated in the Thursday night drags and two runs per day on Friday and Saturday.
The 1955 Nomad of Gerry and Melina Kennon is slammed to the pavement over a set of big-inch Schott rollers. Big Oak Garage channeled the body 2-1/2 inches over the Art Morrison frame, giving it an incredible stance. It received a Top 25 pick and a Top 5 award.
While drag racing occurs throughout the weekend, the Thursday night drags offer lots of fun under the lights. Mike Moss lays some rubber down in his 1956 Chevy 210 before making an 11-second pass.
Joey Collins from Portland, TN, displayed two 1955 Chevy Gassers, which really grabbed our attention. The paint is flawless, and a ZL1 all-aluminum 427ci big-block is topped with Corvette Tri-Power induction under the tilting frontend.
The Tri-Five Nationals, presented by CPP, has a special awards ceremony on Friday and Saturday afternoons. On Friday, the Top 25 is picked, and the cars cruise from the judging area to the dragstrip for the awards presentation.
Rick and Debbie Woodland came all the way from Colbert, WA, to display this beautiful 1957 Chevy Bel Air. The car sits great, thanks to CPP control arms and Ridetech coilovers. The slick hardtop is powered by a fuel-injected 383 stroker backed by a TKO 600 five-speed.
Dozens of subtle tricks can be found on Arlen and Christine Corp’s 1956 Nomad, which he’s owned for more than 30 years. Arlen drove the car 2,600 miles from Victoria, British Columbia, to take part in the Tri-Five Nationals.
Pro Street lives again thanks to Jerry Richardson’s impeccable 1957 Chevy hardtop, a spectacular car that took home the coveted Tri-Five of the Year award against one of the toughest Top 5 fields we’ve ever seen. Richardson sent the crowd into a frenzy with a celebratory burnout.
A product of Mike Goldman Customs, this vibrant 1955 Chevy Bel Air belongs to Mistie Scott of Spring, TX. Her Tri-Five features a Whipple-supercharged LS3 and T56 six-speed transmission, and the killer combination earned a Top 25 award.
PPG Ruby Red and Matte Bronze make for an unmistakable combo on Teddy and Cindy Wentzel’s high-end 1955 Chevy. The car rides on an Art Morrison chassis and features a fuel-injected big-block Chevy.
The 2024 Golden Star Giveaway Car is a 1957 Chevy two-door sedan built by Woody’s Hot Rodz. The drawing took place at 6 p.m. on Saturday, and Jason Duckett was the lucky winner. He is seen here driving the car down the dragstrip.
Gassers are plentiful at the Tri-Five Nationals presented by CPP. This example captured the attention of hot rodders young and old. The stance, flames, and white fenderwell headers offer the 1960s vibe.
We didn’t get the owner’s name, but this 1956 Chevy custom is too cool to ignore. Smoothie bumpers, custom grille, modified side trim, and deleted vent windows only begin to tell this car’s story as it rides low over a set of wide whitewalls and Corvette caps.
The paint may have some age on it, but Kenny and Angie Davis’ 1956 Chevy Bel Air convertible is packed with high-end components. The polished kidney bean wheels and fat rubber tuck nicely into the wheelwells.
Robertson Racing made numerous wheels-up passes throughout the weekend. The satin black 1955 two-door station wagon made its way to the finals in the Gasser Challenge.
When it comes to patina, it’s hard to beat the weathered Onyx Black and India Ivory on this 1955 Chevy. With LS power and a hunkered-down stance, Grant Wilson’s hardtop is ready for the highway.