EDELBROCK SICK 66
o road has the enigma of Route 66 . The
N
“ Mother Road ” has been glorified in song and on screen , defining eras of American history since its birth almost a century ago .
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 dragand-drive event along America ’ s most famous road .
Jason Rousseau
168 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 191