EDELBROCK SICK 66
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 . DI
Lamar Swindoll
170 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 191