ccording to this month’s cover date, Happy New Year! Though we’ve still got another month or so to go, since this is the first official issue of 2026, why not address it accordingly?

As you’ll see once you get to my coverage of the 3rd Annual Triple Crown of Rodding, I begin by acknowledging my distaste for domestic commercial air travel. Regardless how good a destination may be, the one thing that can ruin an otherwise-perfect getaway is a horrible experience at an airport, on an airplane, or basically anywhere in-between home and away from home—at least for me that is. While I’m a dummy and haven’t saved/earned any mileage points, I’ve spent more time on airplanes than I care to accurately reflect on … let’s just say A LOT. Long story short, my patience level has decreased to the bare minimum, and that’s the one thing that definitely helps get one through all the negative occurrences often experienced when traveling as such.

But what I didn’t discuss in the article is the alternative method to domestic air travel: Driving! In the last decade, it’s something that I’ve pretty much relegated to closer proximity destinations (Phoenix, Vegas, NorCal, and so on). With time being such a premium these last five years since we started In The Garage Media, it seems that flying has been the most efficient means of traveling to out-of-state events and functions. But … I’d like to change that, at least during the summer months.

I remember back in the “good old days,” we not only had driving events, such as Tom’s Fun Run (SR) and the Asphalt EgoRama (R&C), but long-distance ventures, such as AmeriCruise and the Road Tour (which I believe Jerry Dixey is finally putting a cherry on top and finishing off after a decades-long run). I know Goodguys still hosts some actual driving events, and the Hot Rod Power Tour is still going even under the brand’s new ownership. Having the ability—and more importantly, the time—to attend and crunch some serious miles on runs like those can be once-in-a-lifetime memories. Not that I really have the time, but before long I’ll have the ability once my ’69 is (finally!) road worthy, and thus, I’d really like to eliminate some air travel woes on the road … and behind the wheel!

Between all the large clubs and those of you who already increase your truck’s odometer readings on a yearly basis, I have no doubt we could organize some fun runs, whether it’s something as simple as a huge caravan (I’m talking hundreds of trucks!) to Dino’s in 2026 or a multi-week excursion to Triple Crown, a Goodguys show, and back to the Grand National Truck Show.

Maybe I’m just jotting down wishful thinking, but I’d definitely like to hear from as many of you as possible. Who knows, we could have our very first Keep On Truckin’ Run by next summer … or I could be sitting in a terminal at DFW eating junk food and waiting on standby for a red-eye home just dreaming about it!