We wanted America to see the NHRA "50 Years of Power" logo on each door and the buff dual stripes that run across the front fascia, over the hood and onto the rear decklid and spoiler -- the solid silver ones that fade into a checkered flag. So the first stop had to be Dirt Terminator, on Pittsboro's Main Street. Owner Lynn Love, a former drag bike racer, worked with the care and precision of a surgeon in washing the Camaro. This guy is serious about his job. He adjusts the water pressure and actually checks the water temperature -- like a mother checking the baby's formula -- before he washes the car. Lynn had the Camaro spitting sunshine as we headed west on Interstate 74.

Soon a signpost ... er, I mean, billboard ... up ahead promised the Eighth Wonder of the World. Who knew it was in Covington, Indiana?! Turns out the marvel was Shelton Fireworks, which claimed to be the World's Largest Fireworks Store, home of the Thunder Bomb and Red Devil. Better yet, it was a discount joint -- more bang for your buck. What a blast!

Next stop was the lovely Biaggi's Ristorante Italiano, near the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, where we got an Italian-language lesson from a nice-sounding fellow in the ladies room. Oh, we never saw him -- he was on a tape, trying to teach us the words for flush, soap and water, and "Don't forget to tip well."

Finally, it was time to check into a motel for the evening. We stayed at a nice motel that will remain anonymous. Soon after settling into the room we noticed that we had a visitor...a roach!

We threw a towel over the critter and called the front desk to inform them that we wanted accommodations for two not three. They apologized profusely and waved the room rent fee for the night.

Our friend is now in the front seat and on tour with us. With the non-budget that renowned skinflint editor Jeff Burk gave us for this trip, we'll need all of the free rooms we can get.

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