The Goodguys 32nd West Coast Nationals presented by BASF at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Aug. 24-26

BASF America’s most beautiful street rod presentation, Goodguys AutoCross racing, and Spectre Performance All American Sunday are just some of the highlights at this year’s event

PLEASANTON — The longest running national event on the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association schedule, the Goodguys 32nd West Coast Nationals presented by BASF is set to take center stage at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and bring another weekend of cool cars and cool people to the Bay Area. This event gathers together over 3,000 hot rods, street rods, customs, muscle cars and trucks through 1972 from all over the U.S. for a three-day celebration of the American hot rod. New for 2018: Goodguys AutoCross racing and the Spectre Performance All American Sunday.

One of the main highlights of the event is the crowning of the Goodguys 2018 BASF America’s Most Beautiful Street Rod. This prestigious award, part of the Top 12 awards for the 2018 event season, will be selected on Saturday morning during the event from the Builder’s Choice Area at the event. To be eligible for this award, the vehicle must be through 1948 vintage and the criteria are simple: It must be beautiful!!

The midway features multimillion-dollar custom big rig tractor trailers offering high-performance parts and accessories to budding hot rodders and do-it-yourselfers. Plus, three buildings of indoor commercial vendors. Throw in a giant used car parts swap meet and car corral (world’s coolest used car gathering), it’s literally auto-utopia.

The Goodguys AutoCross racing series comes to the West Coast Nationals for the first time and is included in the event registration. The process is simple…go through a quick tech process and you are ready to hit the track. The AutoCross action heats up on the track on Friday and Saturday with qualifying for the West Coast AutoCross Shootout presented by FiTech. The fastest 16 cars will compete in the Shootout on Saturday. The twist to this is that the Shootout will be the fastest 16 cars, regardless of class. That means that the PRO drivers will be competing with all the other classes for the 16 coveted spots. The winner and the runner up will punch their ticket into the 2018 AutoCross Finale — the Duel in the Desert in November in Scottsdale, Arizona.

There will be an indoor Cushman display, a WEME Miniature Engine display, and the model and pedal cars and you have a trip down memory lane. Also, to add to the fun is the Pinstripers Brush bash — a gathering of some of the most talented pinstripers around.

The 32nd West Coast Nationals is the final event for up and coming young car builders (27 and younger) who would like to compete for a trip to the 2018 SEMA Show and compete in the Battle of the Builders. At each of the Goodguys 2018 events leading up to the West Coast Nationals, Goodguys has identified two young builders at each event. The photos of their builds were featured on social media and the voting took place to name the finalist from each event. Five lucky finalists from the Goodguys events will receive an all-expense paid trip to the SEMA Show to compete in the 2018 Battle of the Builder.

The Fuelcurve.com Nitro Thunderfest returns. Watch as front-motored, nitro burnin’ vintage top fuel dragsters and funny cars fire and roar to life. Nitro Thunderfest times are Friday at 1 p.m. and Saturday at noon and 2 p.m.

There are fun things for the kids to do, too. Games, arts and crafts, face painting and more. Plus, the PPG coloring contest and fun for all the young hot rodders!

Added to the West coast Nationals for 2018 is the Spectre Performance All American Sunday where owners of American made or powered show cars and trucks of all years can come inside the event to show off next to the 1972 and earlier iron. Registration for All American Sunday will open at 7 a.m. at the Alameda County Fairgrounds and offers to the Sunday participant the chance to be a part of a Goodguys national event, race on the AutoCross course, and be eligible for awards.

The Goodguys 32nd Coast Nationals presented by BASF gates are open Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-3 p.m. General admission is $20, kids 7-12 $6. Alameda County Fairgrounds parking is $10. Visit www.good-guys.com

to purchase event tickets or to get vehicle registration information. Call Goodguys at 925-838-9876 for more information. $17 general admission tickets are available

at www.good-guys.com until midnight, Aug. 23 only. There is a $5 off general admission for retired or active military with their military ID card. Goodguys’ members also receive $5 off their admission with their Goodguys membership ID card.