Heartland Nationals 2020

The Heartland Nationals is the Goodguys car show that comes around the Fourth of July every year in Des Moines, Iowa. It was the 29th anniversary this year, and it was full steam ahead… damn the torpedoes, in this case, damn the COVID-19.

Thursday July 2 … festivities start officially when the gate opens up at 8a.m. Friday morning… but Thursday is usually a travel day. I look forward to this spectacular event 249 miles away from my home in Minneapolis. I look forward to this every year, and it is my 5th year in a row… I plan to add patches to my jacket from here on out! That is a biker reference for you car guys... but I feel you catch the drift. I love this show!

First stop... is the Lakeville McStop to meet up with fellow travelers, mainly the Sedan Deliveries group. Fuel for the car and fuel for the body. I am told that we leave at 10a.m.sharp. I get gas and I get in the drive through to get my sausage McMuffin. They left without me…sitting in line because someone wanted extra cheese and they are not happy, oh well, I will catch up. I am trailing the pack getting my miles on my 2010 F150. There is a pack of 12 or so cars parading down Interstate 35, it is a cool site to see the cavalcade of hot rods. Usual pit stop in Clear Lake, IA to get snacks and more fuel for those hungry beasts, not sure if I am talking about the cars or the scruffy bearded guys.

I manage to snap some shots and take some video while I am driving (kids, don't try this at home, both hands on the steering wheel). Big Lou was the only parade roadside casualty as his Distributor cap popped off a half hour outside of destination. Needless to say, this is not Lou’s first rodeo, he had a spare in his trunk.minutes later, the last of the caravan was on the road again.

As we got into Des Moines, this is where I separated from the crowd and split off to stay with my good friend Phil, an old high school friend. It is always good to reconnect with him and free room and board five minutes from the host hotel is a bonus. As fellow foodies, he is always excited for my visit as he likes to share in his restaurant exploits. The weekend winner was Biaggi’s and the BAKED ZITI AL FORNO by a landslide. Shrimp, chicken, caramelized onions, crispy pancetta, Italian cheese blend, with extra lobster cream sauce… I licked the plate (this is my attempt to get sponsored by Biaggi’s) joking aside, this was delicious, and I did truly lick the plate!

Thursday night meant that I was going to have some photo opportunities at registration. It’s always a prime capture moment with very few people getting in my way. I broke out my prime 85mm f1.8 to really get the depth and that bokeh, that sexy, sexy bokeh. (That's camera talk for all you folks that are confused by my gibberish)

Did I mention the forecast was dialed in for a beautiful weather weekend?…Well it was! It was definitely not as hot as some of the past years shows, but hot enough to drive you in that cool shade, which was plentiful at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. As a photographer who carries a full frame camera and three lenses, a GoPro and a stabilizer, I don't pack a cooler, because I drove down in my daily (my ‘53 body is still separated from the chassis). I am not packing all that in my backpack… I got to get my Step Van where I roll in with a full van of goodies… next year my sweet, next year. That doesn't mean I didn't have a flask that is titled ‘Santa’s Little Helper’ filled with some nectar of the Irish Gods, ahem… Bushmills the oldest whiskey distiller I believe on record.(second attempt to get sponsored) in between my water breaks. The weather was awesome!

Friday morning I headed out solo at 7:30 for the 8a.m. gate openings, I travelled down familiar avenues and ventured back alley's and the few side roads where it is less traveled. This is where I generally try to get unique angles, always trying to up my game with fantastic car shots. The Autocross is always way cool. The cars and drivers are right there showing off their stuff and with crowd access second to none, like I said, way cool. The engineering and modifications on these cars are incredible. No ride alongs this year, because of COVID-19. Fans and parents (kids wanting a joy ride) were certainly disappointed, but all for the greater good. I wandered the grounds for about 5 hours, always on the move, seeing friends and car family. My good friend Mark Marshal and his significant other Sophia Malave made the trip down. He is my Remnants Car Club president, REMNANTS REPRESENT, they provided me with shade, a chair, a beverage and good laughs. I better not leave out Jason P of the Cold Steel Cruisers in making the trip with his 87 IROC, after words he said he had a gas!

Foot traffic I thought it was busier on Friday than in past years. This is when I like to get my shooting in, because generally, Saturday has so much foot traffic it is difficult to get pictures while waiting for passersby. Vendor count was way down, the main vendor building was about half full and the food vendors outside I believe was at 75% capacity compared to other years. I saw car registration stickers number in the 4000’s. I believe it was at 80% or greater car participation, again compared to previous years. That could be that they opened the eligibility to cars produced up to 1987. I did see a lot more quarter panel flappers in that newly open eligibility year bracket… come one, come all, if you can… it was just an observation.

Friday afternoon I headed back to take my much needed shower and nap to get ready for an 8- hour session of editing photos. It makes for a long day in the sun and heat, only to come back and share to the world what I have witnessed firsthand… I am not complaining mind you, I am so fortunate and blessed that I get this opportunity.

Saturday was a tag team team situation of Phil and I walking the Fairgrounds, again trying to get there early for better photo opportunities. It was a more casual day in which we enjoyed each other's company. Phil fell in love with the margarita bartender, so we stayed a little longer with a nice cool breeze spot in the shade, I certainly didn't mind giving my hip a lengthy stay of pinched nerves. As a male, I am safe, married to the love of my life. In my Pin Up photography role, I have no problems striking up conversations with pretty girls… Phil see’s this conversation I am having while ordering margaritas and making her laugh and carrying a longer conversation than most. Once I come back to the table, again he states he is enamored with this girl  to which I prod him to go over for the next round and ask for her picture… We had a harmless good time… this year will always be labeled, the year of the Future Mrs.Hughes.

All American Sunday the age bracket opens further, and they give out the awards…(All American made or powered cars and trucks are welcome all day long!) I usually skip this day… This year was no different. I would have liked to have stayed with Phil longer that Sunday and even further into that week, but my brother was coming to Minneapolis and with him living out of state I wanted to see him… Mini golf would have to wait another year

Great weekend, Great cars, Great times and Great friends is what is all about. If you are searching for this type of vibe, Goodguys will not disappoint.

Cars guys doing Car stuff… Peace and love Peeps! 

Written by Todd Husom with editing by Rhiannon Beaner

Photos by Todd Husom of LooksLikeLarry Productions