400 cars in the middle of downtown. Streets closed to traffic. A Friday night cruise-in that feels like a rolling reunion. Then Saturday brings judging, awards, and a Veterans March that puts the mission front and center. We sit down with Bill Szelag and Neil Jones from the Bastrop Area Cruisers to get the real story behind Heroes and Hot Rods, one of the biggest car show weekends around Bastrop, Texas. We get personal first, because every car story starts somewhere. Neil traces his love of hot rods and classics back to his grandfather’s collection and the car he always wanted, a 1957 Chevy Bel Air. Bill walks us through a 31-year career at General Motors and what “car life after retirement” looks like, from restored Oldsmobiles to a Corvette Grand Sport and an ultra-low-mileage Chevy SSR. Then we dig into the details that make this Veterans Day weekend car show work: how Friday’s cruise sets the tone, what happens during Saturday’s main event, and why the veterans ceremony matters as much as any trophy. Bill and Neil explain the fundraising model, the sponsor support that powers it, and where the proceeds go, including veteran organizations, local charities, and high school automotive scholarships. We also hit the practical stuff you want before you travel: registration limits, judging by class, parking logistics, plus downtown extras like the museum, silent auction, raffle, shopping, and restaurants. After that, we pivot to quick road trip ideas and fast automotive headlines, including the VW ID Buzz delay and what the used car affordability crunch is doing to everyday buyers. If you like classic cars, community events, and real talk about the car market, you’ll want this one. Subscribe, share the episode with a fellow car friend, and leave us a review so more listeners can find the show. Be sure to subscribe for more In Wheel Time Car Talk! ---- ----- Want more In Wheel Time car talk any time? Be sure to subscribe on your favorite podcast provider for the next episode of In Wheel Time Podcast and check out our multiplatform broadcast every Saturday, 9aCT simulcasting on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Twitch and InWheelTime.com. In Wheel Time Podcast can be heard on you mobile device from providers such as: Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music Podcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Podcast, iHeartRadio podcast, TuneIn + Alexa, Podcast Addict, Castro, Castbox, YouTube Podcast and more on your mobile device. Follow InWheelTime.com for the latest updates! Twitter: https://twitter.com/InWheelTime Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/inwheeltime/ https://www.youtube.com/inwheeltime https://www.Facebook.com/InWheelTime For more information about In Wheel Time Podcast, email us at info@inwheeltime.com
