The Street Machine Nationals were some of the most outrageous displays of automotive and social excess the world has ever seen. An annual destination of 100,000+ spectators and as many as 5,000 tricked out street machines, “The Nats” rightfully earned their place in the memories of gearheads and partiers alike.
In Sensory Overload, author Toby Brooks cracks open the dusty covers of scrapbooks the world over to reflect on the people, the rides, and the happenings that made the Nats the show that would never be equaled. He analyzes the factors that initially led to the show’s demise from Du Quoin in 1998 and also delves into the efforts that ultimately led to the event’s triumphant return for 2013.
The result of more than three years of research, Sensory Overload features more than 40 interviews with reflections from the men and women who made the show legendary. Sensory Overload is sure to be a supercharged and nitrous-assisted trip down memory lane for anyone who braved the ‘grounds and witnessed the event firsthand. It is also an eye-popping, jaw-dropping account of the wild times and fast cars for both those who attended and those who didn’t alike.
Neon paint and sparkling chrome. Open headers and surging blowers. Burnt rubber and barbecue. Experience or relive the overwhelming sensations of the Street Machine Nationals in Sensory Overload!
A town literally built upon the once booming coal economy, the rise to prominence and eventual decline of West Frankfort, Illinois, tightly parallels that of the coal industry itself. Depicting a town unknowingly on the threshold of the likely end of an era of growth and economic prosperity, Season of Change: Baseball, Coal Mining, and a Small Town’s Struggle to Beat the Odds is an engaging and bittersweet account of the rise and fall of the town of West Frankfort and the West Frankfort Cardinals. An intimate and personal depiction of the 1948 Illinois State League champions and the town they called home also takes a swing at the larger social and economic issues that continue to largely shut out efforts to return to the prosperity and potential of the past.
Rod Bollini’s Dodge Dakota, Randy Watson’s 1966 Chevy Nova, Michael Scheuren, Jerry Gary, Jr.
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Ed Lemanski’s Chevy Vega, Carl Peters’ 1984 Blazer, Brian Stupski, Michael Scheuren, Project aPocalypSe Horse, Project Old Red/13 Sins Garage, Performance Engineering
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Tommy & Joy Pfister’s ’67 Camaro, Terry Ciesla’s ’55 Chevy, Brian Stupski, Project aPocalypSe Horse
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Ralph Haga’s ’64 Nova, Kin Gough’s ’91 Caprice Wagon, Jerry Gary’s ’72 Vega, John Baechtel, Brian Stupski, Project aPocalypSe Horse
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Ed Kirk’s ’55 Chevy, George Norovich’s ’55 Chevy & ’57 Wagon, Glenn Panfil’s ’56 150 Wagon, Tony Davidson’s ’55 Chevy, Lewis Jackson’s ’55 Chevy, Brian Stupski, Project aPocalypSe Horse
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Tony Netzel’s Plymouth, Rob & Ryan Robinson’s Monte Carlo SS, Project aPocalypSe Horse, Back to the Nats
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Gary Buckles’ Camaro, Rich & Kathy Bryant’s ’65 Chevelle, Robert Carrasca’s ’87 Chevy Sprint, Street Machine Nationals, Project aPocalypSe Horse, Brian Stupski
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I found Becoming UnDone through social media.
Toby does a great job of navigating his guests through the triumphs of their lives. It allows a story to be told, and a picture to be painted for the audience to enjoy and learn from. I love how each episode has hidden gems for the listener to fully take in, from the masterful insight shared by he and his guests. Above anything else, Becoming Undone is a beacon of hope for me done with pure intentions, and that’s what keeps me coming back!
Assistant Athletic Trainer
Co-Captain, 1998 Arizona Football (Holiday Bowl Champions and most successful team in school history), Assistant Chief, Tucson Fire Department
Introduce yourself and share why you love Becoming UnDone
I came across the series, Life, Lessons, and the Legacy of Dick Tomey on Facebook and it is a near and dear topic. When Toby and I were able to collaborate on contributing to the series, I couldn’t wait. Toby’s episode and how he was able to dig deep on Coach Tomey’s impact was fantastic to talk about and share with others.
Toby creates the kind of space every guest hopes for—thoughtful questions, genuine curiosity, and a conversation that feels real. If you want stories of resilience told with heart, this is the podcast.
As a guest, I felt completely at ease. Toby listens deeply and makes the conversation flow naturally, which is rare. If you’re invited on this show, take it—you’ll walk away grateful you did.
CEO
