I have gone to the summer nationals for years now and most of the time my family will bring up to three cars. Every year it just seems to be less and less worth going to. The vendors are now few and far between, the awards ceremony was like a cattle line of people walking to get an award with no way of anyone actually knowing which car got what. About the only thing they seem to actually spend time on is the bikini contest so i guess there is at least something they care about. I mean here is an event where they are taking in money hand over fist with hundreds of cars and thousands of people and they don't even take the time to post more than a handful of photos from the event. I have seen free local car shows that look a million times better. It's like they are asleep at the wheel! Am I off base?  

CC doesn't actually run it. It's put on by "family events."

CC is basically just a title sponsor and gives it a little ink in the magazine.

Going to events for the awards show and to get your sled/mug in some magazine/website are the wrong reasons to go.

I go to events to look at what other people have been working on, to get new ideas, to learn about new trends, to see things I can't see at my local cruise nights/poker runs, and to socialize with like-minded gearheads.  I could care less if anyone publishes any photos (the ones I take are usually better anyhow) or gives out any cheap plastic trophies, dash plaques or ribbons.

BTW, in my opinion, the Hot Rod Power Tour (which is about to start) is better than some fairgrounds-based show anyhow.  

I know family events puts it on and they seem to do a good job of organizing that massive amount of people and cars. I just think car craft does little to make it their event. I certainly don't go to the show to get my car in a magazine. I too like to see what people have been up to and chat with others. It just seems if the people who are entering their cars which is what draws all the people are paying as much as they are to be there, car craft could put a little more into it. As far as the awards, I was more miffed about not being able to see which cars they picked. Since it is hard to see everyone at the show I just thought it would be nice if they at least projected a picture of the winners car so you could know what it was and maybe go check it out yourself. I mean anything would have been nice. Half of them went by so fast i could not hear what was what.
I just think if people are paying to get into an event like this they should get more for their money. I also hear ya on the photos part. I am actually a photographer so I just love looking at photos of anyones. It just seems like it would be a great opportunity for the magazine to put more photos on the website and they don't even attempt it.
Also I have always wanted to go to the power tour. This year I am finally making the time so I am really looking forward to it...  

Good points.