Thousands of hot rodders from across the West will make their annual trek to the Puyallup Fair & Expo Center in Puyallup on July 24-26, for the 22nd annual Goodguys Pacific Northwest Nationals car show.

The event features the car show, automotive swap meet, vendor exhibit midway, the pinstripers “brush bash,” Friday Night drag races at Pacific Raceways in Kent, and a special Wounded Warrior Poker Run – plus a host of other automotive-themed activities.

On Friday, July 24, Wounded Warriors injured in combat from the nearby Fort Lewis military base will team up with Goodguys event participants and members of the Kingsmen car club of Tacoma for a special poker run. This is a special opportunity for soldiers injured in combat to take a ride in a hot rod, participate in the poker run, and then return to the fairgrounds to enjoy the hot rod festivities.

The Pacific Northwest Nationals is the 11th of 23 annual hot rod and custom car events promoted and produced by northern California-based Goodguys Rod & Custom Association (www.good-guys.com).

Goodguys events are held from New York to San Diego, from Seattle to Florida and many points in between. The events are large, colorful and have often been referred to as a “State Fair of Automotive Excitement.” Lil’ deuce coupes, hot rod roadsters, lead-sled 50’s Mercury customs, ’55-’57 Chevy’s, muscle-bound Camaros, Hemi Barracudas,and BOSS 409 Mustangs, and other timeless rides will fill the verdant expanse of the Fair & Expo Center.

The Pacific Northwest Nationals will have everything auto buffs and gearheads could ever want. As many as 2,000 1972 and earlier cars and trucks are expected. An automotive parts swap meet will join a special “cars for sale corral,” where automotive treasure hunters can seek out hard to find parts and buy and/or sell the car of their dreams.

For those who prefer their hot cars on a smaller scale, model car giant Revell-Monogram will sponsor a model car show, complete with a “Make and Take” program where youngsters can build a model at the event and take it home with them.

Awards are a large part of any automotive event, and the Pacific Northwest Nationals will offer plenty. Nationally renowned hot rod chassis manufacturer Art Morrison of Tacoma’s Art Morrison Performance will be on hand throughout the weekend to hand-pick the “Builder’s Choice” awards.

The Builder’s Choice awards are special awards hand crafted by their namesake to honor the top ten cars at the event. One of the sure fire contenders figures to be “Ferrambo” – a 1960 Nash Rambler station wagon powered by a Ferrari V-12 built by Tim Diver’s of Startup, Wash. Finalists for the 2009 Muscle Car of the Year and 2009 Kustom of the Year award will also be sought. (A “kustom” is defined as a radically altered and modified American automobile from 1936 to 1964 vintage). Altogether, close to 100 awards will be given to the event’s top cars.

Another popular event feature is the specialty parking areas with special themes: “Homebuilt Heaven” area for owner-crafted rides, “Trick Truck Corral” for cool haulers, “Suede & Chrome” area for primered beauties, “Mighty Muscle” area for ’55-’72 cars, and the “Canadian Corral” for vehicles from north of the border. Finally, the “Young Guys” area is for hot rodders 25 years old and younger. The special parking areas take place Saturday, July 25, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Event hours are Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. General admission is $17, and kids 7-12 $6. Kids 6 and under are free. Event parking also is free.

For additional event information, contact the Goodguys Rod & Custom Association at 925-838-9876 or visit www.pacificnorthwestnats.com.