Get out there before the weather gets bad. Kansas City car shows, cruises, and races for October 15, 16, 17*

The list of car shows and events is starting to dwindle for this season, even though it looks like we’re going to have some really nice weather. Still, there is a nice list of things that you can go do, including a Big Brothers and Big Sisters event in Kansas City that looks pretty interesting, a toy show in Adrian, and four classes of racing at Lakeside Speedway.

So how are you going to spend your final days of the car season around Kansas City? Maybe you’ll find something that trips your trigger in the schedule of events below.

Kansas City-area car shows

Friday, October 15-Sunday, October17. Hutchinson, Kan. 3rd Annual Downtown Hutchinson Rockin' Rollin' Rod Run. For more information, call (620) 966-3315.

Saturday, October 16. Kansas City, Mo. Rev 'Em Up and Rock 'Em Out Car Show and Rockabilly Day presented by Fat Fish Blue and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Kansas City. 7260 NW 87th St, 64153. For more information, call Abby at (816) 759-5233, or e-mail abby@improvkc.com.

Saturday, October 16. Edwardsville, Kan. Drive To Survive Benefit Car Show. Wrap Factory, 10933 Kaw, Dr, 66111. 9:00 a.m. -6:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.thedrive2survive.com/.

Saturday, October 16. Carthage, Mo. Maple Leaf Auto Show. CMC Complex, Fairview and Grand Avenue. For more information, (417) 358-9337.

Saturday, October 16. Horton, Kan. Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show. 8th and Central Ave. For more information, call (785) 486-2697.

Saturday, October 16.  North Kansas City, Mo.  Tallant's Hot Rod Shop Open House.  1777 Iron, NKC.  12:00 noon-4:00 p.m.  For more information, call (816) 453-2761, or visit http://www.tallantsauto.com/.

Saturday, October 16-Sunday, October 17. Adrian, Mo. Collectible Toy Show presented by the Adrian Optimist Club. Optimist building, 40 miles South of Kansas City on US 71 Hwy, 3/4 mile South on West Service Road. For more information, call Jim or Laura at (816) 297-4290.

Sunday, October 17 (rescheduled from September 19). Kearney, Mo. Jesse James Shootout Car Show and Swap Meet presented by A-1 Wheels and More. Jesse James Park (3.5 miles North on 33 Highway). Registration starts at 9:00 a.m. For more information, call (816) 903-3603, or visit http://a1wheelsandmore.com/.

Kansas City-area car cruises

Friday, October 15. Overland Park, Kan. Longbranch TGIF Cruise presented by Hollywood Nights. Dan's Longbranch Steakhouse, 9095 Metcalf, 66212. 5:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. For more information, contact Dan at (913) 642-9555.

Friday, October 15. Olathe, Kan. Subway Cruise Night presented by the Good Times Car Club. 539 East Santa Fe, 66061. 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Subway at (913) 393-0363.

Saturday, October 16. Overland Park, Kan. Golden Oldies Classic Car Club Cruise.  Winstead's. 10313 Metcalf Ave (103rd St and Metcalf), 66212. 5:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m. For more information, call Delbert at (913) 724-4025, or e-mail goldenoldiescarclub@sunflower.com.

Saturday, October 16.  Lee's Summit, Mo.  Johnny Ray's Car Cruise.  Johnny Ray's - 50 Highway.  4:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.  For more information, call Wayne at (816) 365-0240.

Saturday, October 16. Independence, Mo. Summer Cruise-In at the Hartman Heritage Center. Jackson Drive next to Buffalo Wild Wings. 6:00 p.m. For more information, call Jim at (816) 808-1154.

Saturday, October 16. Lenexa, Kan. Margarita's Promotional Car Night. Margarita's, 7890 Quivira Rd, 66215. For more information, check out http://www.margaritasamigos.com/.

Saturday, October 16. Overland Park, Kan. Monthly High Performance Auto Club (HPAC) Dinner and MOPAR Cruise. Dan's Longbranch Steakhouse, 9095 Metcalf Ave, 66212-1403. For more information, call Bob Snyder at (816) 407-9023, or e-mail rcsnyder@kc.rr.com.

Saturday, October 16. Overland Park, Kan. Dunn Brother’s Coffee Morning Cruise. 8975 Metcalf Ave. 7:00 a.m.-10:00 a.m. For more information, call (913) 381-3030.

Sunday, October 17. Holden, Mo. Sonic Cruise Night. Sonic Drive-In, 101 South Lexington, 64040. 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Sunday, October 17.  Liberty, Mo.  Lucia's Cruise-In.  Liberty Triangle, 291 & 152 Highways.  2:00 p.m.-close.  For more information, call (816) 407-7688.

Sunday, October 17. Kearney, Mo. Kruisin' Kearney presented by A-1 Wheels and More. 113 E Washington, 64060. 12:00 noon-5:00 p.m. For more information, call Mike at (816) 903-3603, or e-mail alembo@yahoo.com.

Kansas City-area car races

Friday, October 15. Kansas City, Mo. Friday Night Grudge Racing. Kansas City International Raceway, 8201 S Noland Rd, 64138. For more information, call (816) 358-6700, or visit http://www.kcironline.com/.

Saturday, October 16. Kansas City, Kan. Budweiser Festival of Speed - Modifieds, Grand Nationals, Factory Stocks and B-Modifieds. Lakeside Speedway, 5616 Wolcott Dr, 66109. For more information, call (913) 299-2040 or visit http://www.lakesidespeedway.net/.

Saturday, October 16-17. Kansas City, Mo. NHRA National Open. Kansas City International Raceway, 8201 S Noland Rd, 64138. For more information, call (816) 358-6700, or visit http://www.kcironline.com/.

NASCAR on TV

NASCAR’s “Big Two” are at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend for a couple of big events as the season winds down. The Chase for the Sprint Cup Championship is completely up for grabs at this point, so every race counts for NASCAR’s premiere series. And the new Nationwide Series Mustang, Challengers, Camrys and Impalas come back this weekend, previewing what all races will look like in 2011.  The Camping World Truck Series is off once again this weekend.

Saturday, October 16. Concord, N.C. NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500. Charlotte Motor Speedway. 6:30 p.m. (CT), ABC Television.

Friday, October 15. Concord, N.C. NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300. Charlotte motor Speedway. 6:30 p.m. (CT), ESPN2.

*Don't forget, as late in the season as it is, before you set out for a car cruise, it's a good idea to call or check ahead and make sure it's going to happen!