The 11th edition of the Race & Performance Expo rolled into the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center in suburban Chicago last week, and while it marks the prelude to the upcoming Midwest race season, this year it brought something extra - youth and enthusiasm.

Tom Stockenberg, Race and Performance Expo's Marketing Director reported strong attendance by racers, fans and hot rodders who visited with parts manufacturers, racetrack operators, car builders and dozens of swap meet vendors over two days. 

"It was very exciting to see all these folks, especially young people, come through the doors to support our exhibitors," said Stockenburg.

Speaking of exhibitors, Kyle Fickler of Aeromotive Fuel Systems said: "Race and Performance Expo is a great way for us to connect with our core racing and street performance end user and explain the benefits of our products." 

Jeff Stange of Strange Engineering also was very positive, "Being in our backyard, the Expo is very important to Strange, and we love being here to support the racers and the show."

While not an official theme, the youth movement in motorsports took center stage at R&PE. From the Hot Rodders of Tomorrow Engine Building Competition for teenagers to the huge display of Junior Dragsters by the Midwest Junior Super Series, it was evident the future of racing is in good hands.

Notable among the people that are taking this sport to the future were brother and sister Cody and Nichole Medeisis. Cody displayed the Chevy S-10 Ultra Street drag radial machine that he created from a rusty heap. A protégé of Pro Stock racer Kevin Lawrence, Cody is a successful Drag Week competitor and 2016 Drag Illustrated 30 Under 30 alum. Nichole, a pre-med student, was showing off the Super Comp Dragster that she races in the Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series with NHRA’s Division 3.

Technical and informational seminars are an important part of Race and Performance Expo. Debuting in 2018 and continuing the youthful theme was the “Women of Race and Performance” a panel discussion moderated by Jeanette DesJardins of Car Chix. It featured NHRA A/Fuel dragster owner/driver Marina Anderson; Heather Dorethy, Technical Sales Rep for Precision Turbo & Engine; and Natalie Decker, ARCA Series driver for Venturini Motorsports. They shared their experiences and successes with a large and enthusiastic room of attendees.

Show-goers also visited with several notable racers that call the Chicago area home. Among them were Rocky Ausec of the Great Lakes Nostalgia Funny Car Circuit, legend Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick, NHRA pilots Dale Creasy Jr., Justin Schriefer and TJ Zizzo. Others such as Bob Bode and wife Alice were seen walking the show floor.

And then there were the cars. Gracing the show floor were the Car Builders Showcase, and a wide assortment of & circle track and straight line machines including Matt Bell’s Radial Vs The World Mustang, fresh from Lights Out 9 competition.

See more from the 11th Race & Performance Expo in our Event Gallery.