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The engines roar to life under a bright State of Missouri sun. Chrome glistens, exhaust pops, and a thousand memories roll down the street. This is more than a car parade — it’s the official kickoff of a century-long love affair with Route 66.

Springfield, Missouri — the Birthplace of Route 66 — threw an unforgettable celebration as over 300 classic cars took to the streets for the Route 66 Centennial Kickoff Parade. From pristine Mustangs and powerful Mopars to vintage trucks, quirky builds, and even the legendary Original Bigfoot Monster Truck, the lineup was a rolling museum of American automotive history.

The energy was electric from the very first moment. As the parade began, the soundtrack of the day blended perfectly with the rumble of big V8s:

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https://route66americanaarchive.substack.com/p/kickoff-on-the-mother-road-springfields

In the final leg of their epic Route 66 journey, travelers Justin and Riley pushed from Blue Creek Campground outside Tulsa, Oklahoma, through the brief Kansas corner, across Missouri, and into Illinois, completing their cross-country trek in Chicago. What began in the deserts and mountains of the West concluded with Midwestern hospitality, quirky roadside gems, and the satisfaction of reaching the Mother Road’s eastern terminus.

Waking after their first van thunderstorm (Riley a bit rattled, but they powered through), the pair wrapped up Oklahoma and crossed into Kansas. The state’s Route 66 footprint is famously short—just a quick corner—but they made it count with a stop at the Miami Visitor Center for a passport stamp, followed by tea at the charming Loose Leaf shop next door.

The standout Kansas highlight was Gearheads Curios, an eclectic souvenir shop with an unforgettable restroom billed as “the most photographed bathroom on Route 66.”

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https://route66americanaarchive.substack.com/p/we-made-it-finishing-our-2400-mile

There’s something poetic about starting at the end. For the Alex Taylor Racing crew, day one of their California-to-Arkansas road trip begins not at a traditional starting line, but at the symbolic terminus of Route 66. It’s a fitting launch point for a journey meant to celebrate the highway’s 100th anniversary—a milestone that invites reflection, exploration, and, in this case, a full-throttle tribute in a pair of classic performance machines: a Nova and a Camaro.

This isn’t just a road trip. It’s a rolling celebration of car culture, craftsmanship, and the enduring spirit of the Mother Road.

The Route 66 trip begins at the end, the Santa Monica Pier. Which was the start on this trip.

But first, Alex Taylor and the team stopped at Scat Enterprises, a name well known in performance circles.

Here, the focus shifts from open-road cruising to the intricate art of engine building.

https://route66americanaarchive.substack.com/p/route-66-road-trip-kicks-off-from