When a new car show or event comes to town, you never know what you will get. It might be a great time, or it might not.
Holley’s LS Fest started in Bowling Green, Kentucky (Holley’s hometown), years ago and has grown, becoming the premier all-LS event. A few years ago, the company decided to try the same formula on the west side of the US in Las Vegas, Nevada. Much like LS Fest East, this show has grown, and while they are the same, the experience is very different between the two events. With venues on the east and west coasts, we knew it was only a matter of time before one would be offered in the central US, but where would it be?
The street car class got to do laps around Texas Motor Speedway while following the TMS Camaro. After completing the required milage, no-prep drag racing would start on pit row.
A few short months ago, we discovered Holley would be hosting LS Fest Texas. This news is exciting for a couple of reasons. First, we knew that a Texas event would pull in many cars that we’d never seen before. Secondly, Texas is home to our new editor, Jeremy Nichols, making this trip a breeze. In fact, we were only an hour and twenty minutes from the location at Texas Motor Speedway in the Dallas Ft. Worth area. However, we did have some concerns as well.
Autocross racing kicked off a little later in the day to try and beat the triple-digit heat. Racers still had a blast despite the hot sun.
Being from Texas, we knew Holley’s June date could be an issue. This time of year can be brutally hot, with temperatures soaring over the 100-degree mark. To combat this issue, Holley decided to open the gates later in the day at 1:00 pm, with action starting around 4:00 pm. The other problem is that during the summer months, Texas has a lot going on with racing events all over the state and in Oklahoma.
The DuSold-built Texaco Camaro owned by Jason Bottenfield made as many laps as he could during the Grand Champion competition.
Of course, we showed up early for the first annual LS Fest Texas; one thing was for sure: it was going to be hot! Vendors were set as the day rolled on, and the crowd started coming in. And we knew it would be a good show at this point. Our thoughts were confirmed as we spotted some high-end builds rolling in like a host of cars from a local builder, Jessie’s Garage. We even spotted a killer LS-powered Ford Pantara that was causing a stir among participants and spectators alike.
We have come to expect excellent LS-swapped vehicles at LS Fest, and this first Texas event didn't disappoint.
One thing about LS Fest that is drastically different than the other two events was the addition of No-Prep Racing. Racers would race down the pit row with only a water burnout and no track prep. If you’re not familiar with the world of No-Prep, let us tell you it can be very interesting, to say the least. Since the surface is un-prepped asphalt, vehicles tend to slip and slide to the finish line. Sometimes people run off the road. Other times, they might wreck. Either way, it’s an exciting form of racing that keeps everyone on the edge of their seats.
The @69dirtydatsun of Anthony Palladino sits on top of a custom tube chassis with C5 Corvette drivetrain components. Of course, this little Datsun was a fan favorite in Texas.
However, if drag racing is not your thing, LS Fest has a lot to offer. The autocross is exciting as well as the Grand Champion competition. During this event, you can watch some of the best-built Pro-Touring cars battle it out on the track, 3s Challenge, dyno challenge, drifting, and much more. If there’s one thing we love about these events, it’s the fact that there’s non-stop action.
No-prep drag racing on pit row provided entertainment for drivers and spectators. The instant green light also made this event more interesting.
In addition to all the racing, LS Fest offers a massive car show. So as you head from one area to another, you can check out a ton of cool cars and trucks. You can also swing by, talk to vendors at the show, and see the new LS products. This show does have it all.
Texas Motor Speedway was a great place to have this inaugural event, and Holley did an excellent job keeping the activities going all weekend. We are excited to see this show grow, and we love the fact that it’s in the Lone Star State for obvious reasons. We had a blast and have to say that Holley knows how to throw a party, no matter what state it might be in. And with that said, we hope to see y’all next year at LS Fest Texas 2023.