Tri-Five Nationals day one begins; event brings millions of dollars in economic impact

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Thursday, August 16th was only day one of the tri-five nationals, and already Beech Bend Raceway Park was jam packed with people from across the country.

Already, the town is experiencing a huge positive economic impact, especially where this is the first year the event has added an extra third day for tourists to come come enjoy the Chevy hot rods. 

Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau Group Sales Director Janet Henderson is a diehard car lover. 

“It’s just amazing that this many people come to our community to celebrate this make and model of car,” said Henderson.

She attended these nationals every year, and she said watching the millions of dollars it brings to the community each year is amazing.

“It’s an absolute wonderful combination for economic impact. Our hotels are full, our restaurants are for all of our attractions are getting the added value of all these wonderful visitors that are in our community,” said Henderson. “We have most all 50 states represented here, and it’s just a blessing for Beech Bend, Bowling Green and for the tri-fives.”

One local business owner that looks forward to this event every year is Back Roads Fabrication owner Joel Doyel. Doyel has sold tri-five parts exclusively here in Bowling Green for seven years, his love of muscle cars growing since he was a kid. 

“Back in the late 60s, early 70s, being a teenager, kid, pretty much everybody had a hot rods, they used to say. So I just kind of grew into it,” said Doyel.

Like Henderson, he’s been to this event all six years, and he sees these nationals ending no time soon. 

“It’s going to grow for sure. These cars are so popular. Like I said, there’s so many different things you can do with them,” said Henderson. “It’s just a hot rod way of life, I guess you’d say.”