It's Palou versus the rest of the field in Sunday's 500

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

The Indianapolis 500 will be run for the 110th time on May 24, and Mark Glover will be attending his 61st 500. Here's his take on the race to come:

Just so we're on the same page: Picking a winner of the Indianapolis 500 before it happens is pure folly.

You can have the fastest car by far, and the best team to boot, and still fall short of winning the world-famous race.  It has happened before. I've seen it. Numerous times.

There are about a thousand variables that can ruin a favorite's day ... cut tires, botched pit stops, a collision with a careless driver, a rain delay, any one of a hundred mechanical failures, an ill-timed caution period ...

I could go on all night.

Knowing all that, I believe that 29-year-old Alex Palou of Spain will win the 500 for the second year in a row. The four-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion is, in my mind, as solid a favorite as there has ever been. But what about all those nasty variables?

The variables exist, but Palou has so much repel them.

He has been dominating the series in his youth, looking like an unbeatable veteran amid all the talent the NTT INDYCAR SERIES has to offer. In last year's 500, Palou seemed to be toying with the field, drafting along when he needed it, running away when it was go time.

And then there's the Chip Ganassi Racing team for which he drives. Ganassi has excelled at Indy at the highest level for someone not named Roger Penske, and he has brought Palou along with admirable excellence.  This team knows its business.

Sunday's qualifying session was a prime example.  In the first round of qualifying, Palou barely made the "Fast 12," with the 11th-fastest time.  Mere hours later, Palou was sitting on the pole with a sparkling four-lap average speed of 232.248 miles per hour. That's a remarkable leap in such a short time, a tribute to the team's talent top to bottom.

If not Palou, who else might be drinking the winner's milk on Sunday?

(Writer's note: When this piece was being written on May 18, I noted that Nevada City's own Alexander Rossi and Mexico's Pato O'Ward were my secondary picks to win the race. A couple hours later, both were involved in a violent crash in Turn 2 during pre-race practice. And while both intend to race on Sunday, I believe their chances of winning have been reduced. Consequently, for my money, it's Palou versus the rest of the field. And so, as I was saying ... )

And then there's the rest of the field, loaded with skilled pilots and past 500 winners.  Could one of them win it?  See above, i.e. "variables."

This electric SUV is just what you'd expect from Lexus

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Great expectations.

That's what you have when a Lexus sport-utility vehicle is handed over to you.  And fortunately, the tested 2026 Lexus RZ 550e AWD checks all the appropriate boxes ... a player in the world of electric power transportation. And with Lexus' F Sport enhancements, all the better.

Priced at $62,034, my tester was a high-performing, velvet-glove cruiser powered by dual electric motors with a horsepower rating of 402. On the highway at cruising speed, the ride was silky smooth.

But when asked to dart around a careless poke, the RZ 550e responded instantly, and with fist-to-the-chin acceleration.  The advertised zero-to-60 mph time is 4.1 seconds.

A pleasure and a comfort, all in one.

The payoff for the buyer is a miles-per-gallon equivalent of 102 in the city and 88 on the highway. And as a bonus, the RZ 550e is compatible with thousands of charging ports nationwide.

I was struck by the all-season travel potential (and enjoyment) of the midsize crossover SUV.

With good cargo capacity, I could envision many happy hours cruising to national parks and places of interest during summer months.  Plenty of amenities on board to keep adults and kids happy.

The tester also was equipped for winter travel, with features that included a windshield wiper de-icer and headlamp washers.

This being a Lexus, luxury expectations are met with an extensive list of features. 

I liked the panoramic glass roof and perfectly stitched leather trim. Security is enhanced by a full suite of max five-star federal government crash test ratings, including five on the overall score.

All in all, the RZ 550e was an excellent balance of performance, solid tech and luxury ... just what I expected.

Seriously, American muscle never felt quite like this

This review first appeared in the April 2026 edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Sacramento, California -- I remember thinking: Wow, what a beautiful Dodge Charger.

Classic American muscle car lines, with a spoiler in the back and a wing cut into the front. Serious wheels (20 inchers).

The paint job is dazzling ... a super-vivid shade of blue. The paint color has a name: Bludicrous. Love it.

I jump into the cockpit, snap on the seat belt, hit the start button and am greeted with ...

S-i-l-e-n-c-e.

I have to admit, I felt a serious stab of pain in my heart ... remembering the rumble of Hemi-equipped Chargers of years past.

Some American muscle car devotees consider an electric Charger the embodiment of blasphemy.

As for me, I get it.  I see where history is heading, and it was only a matter of time before V-8s gave way to kilowatts.

And besides, the tested 2026 Dodge Charger Daytona Scat Pack Track Package had plenty to like.

The look was certainly at the top of the list. The tester appeared race-ready, like it could fly. Traffic tended to bolt out of the way when they saw me coming in my four-door blue beauty.

The rumble might be gone, but power is not lacking.

The tester weighed in at a heart-pounding 670 horses. The advertised zero-to-60 time is 3.3 seconds.

No lie there.  The tester pressed me into the driver's seat with the best of them. It blazed by stragglers in silent majesty.

Fun? You bet.

The interior cabin is one of the most convenient, thoughtfully laid out of any muscle machine I can remember.  Everything is within easy reach, and there's plenty of high-tech stuff to keep one safe and alert.

By the way, the rear of the Charger can be configured into a substantial cargo-carrying area ... not something most folks think about in this segment.

The big bonus, of course, is fuel cost savings.  The fuel mileage equivalent rating is 77 miles per gallon in the city and 68 mpg on the highway.

The price of the loaded tester was a hefty $70,375.

Naturally, some folks are irreversibly convinced that a Charger is not a Charger unless it has a window-rattling internal-combustion engine under the hood.

But I have to confess that my week in the vehicle convinced me that this Charger with the electric heart is a muscle car by definition -- big, bad and fast on the draw, just like the old days.

Do I miss the rumble? Sure.

But did I enjoy the ride? Yes indeed.

Flashy Toyota Sequoia reviewed in latest Cruisin' News

My review of the 2026 Toyota Sequoia 4WD TRD Pro Hybrid sport-utility vehicle ("Wave Maker") can be seen in the latest, May 2026, edition of the Cruisin' News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news and marketplace."

The "Hot Laps" reviews, along with my "Oil Drips" observations on anything with wheels, appear monthly in the publication.

To subscribe to the Cruisin' News, visit www.cruisinnews.com, call (916) 933-0949 or send an email request to subscribe@cruisinnews.com.  Mailed requests for information should be sent to Cruisin' News, P.O. Box G, Virginia City, NV 89440.

Art of the car featured at 75th Sacramento Autorama

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Rembrandts of the road? Da Vincis of the driveway? Absolutely.

The art of the car will be on full, brilliant display this weekend as the 75th Sacramento Autorama kicks off its three-day run on Friday.

Some of the nation's top custom artists will show off their handiwork and celebrate the area's rich history of car customization on the Cal Expo grounds at 1600 Exposition Blvd.

Presented by O'Reilly Auto Parts, this year's Autorama will feature more than 500 hot rods, customs, muscle cars, trucks, and motorcycles from across the country competing to win numerous awards. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.

“The Sacramento Autorama has been a cornerstone of car culture for 75 years, and this year’s celebration is a tribute to the builders, fans and community that made it what it is today,” said John Buck, owner/producer of the show. “From historic customs to cutting-edge builds, this show continues to showcase the very best of the automotive world.”

At the conclusion of the weekend, numerous awards will be handed out. That includes the coveted Custom d'Elegance award presented by ARP (Automotive Racing Products).  It will be awarded to "the best chopped, channeled or sectioned vehicle from 1935-64 that embodies the true spirit of a classic custom." The award includes a $5,000 prize and a custom trophy.

Major "Big B" awards honor world-famous customizers from the Sacramento area, including Joe "Candy Apple Red" Bailon, Dick Bertolucci and Sam Barris.  Another long-standing, prestigious award is the Harold Bagdasarian Memorial World's Most Beautiful Custom trophy.

The World’s Most Beautiful Lowrider award, recognizing the show’s most outstanding lowrider entry, includes a $5,000 prize from ARP.

Hundreds more vehicles are expected to participate in the 19th Annual Sacramento Autorama Drive-In, featuring more than 400 autos.

The Butch Gardner Club House will again be part of this year's show, with numerous car clubs showing off their prize wheels. The Club House is organized in memory of Butch Gardner, a long-time member of the storied Thunderbolts auto club in Sacramento and a dedicated Autorama volunteer and participant. Thunderbolts club members played a key role in organizing the first Sacramento Autorama in 1950.

Daily general admission tickets for ages 13 and older are $30 each. Tickets for ages 6 to 12 are $10; children ages 5 and younger are admitted free.

Tickets can be purchased online at https://rodshows.com/sacramento-autorama or at the event. Discount tickets are available at participating local O'Reilly Auto Parts stores. Parking on the Cal Expo grounds is $10.

More information can be obtained at www.rodshows.com or by calling 877-763-7469.

Hyundai's Tucson sport-ute earns spot on the hot list

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- Over the years, various folks have asked me for a recommendation on a new compact crossover sport-utility vehicle. I typically give questioners three choices to test drive.

Typically, a Hyundai Tucson makes the list.

The tested 2026 Hyundai Tucson PHEV Limited AWD sport-ute is decidedly list-worthy, just starting with the 77 miles per gallon equivalent rating.  (Gas only nets you a still-impressive 35 mpg.)

But it's more than energy cost savings.  Much more.

The Tucson has an instantly recognizable SUV look, but closer inspection finds clever angle cuts in profile, and a sweetly sculpted grille that's not over the top.

While the tester had plug-in charms, it was peppy enough with the 1.6-liter turbo-4 rated at 178 horsepower; frankly, it felt more powerful than that number.  A quiet cabin at freeway speeds is a bonus.

So many features on the tested model: lane-keeping assist, forward attention warning, forward collision avoidance, hands-free power liftgate, panoramic sunroof, surround-view monitor, ambient interior lighting, head-up display, Bose premium audio and on and on ...

Sixty-thousand bucks, right?  Try $50,140 on the sticker's bottom line.

No surprise there. Hyundai has prospered by offering more for less, and this Tucson makes the point with emphasis.

Simply put, the current-generation Tucson remains a contender in this very crowded vehicle segment ... worthy of being on an SUV shopper's short list.

CX-90 PHEV is an able player in Mazda's CX lineup

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- In case you did not hear me the first time, this Mazda lineup of CX sport-utility vehicles is pretty special.

You can get anything you want off this menu.

This week's tester -- a 2026 Mazda CX-90 PHEV Premium Plus -- specializes in three rows of comfortable seating, surrounded by head-of-the-class technology and luxury.  All for $60,625 on the bottom line.

And it scoots along pretty well to boot, courtesy of 323 horsepower and 369 foot-pounds of torque.

Maybe the biggest tribute I can come up with: If you took the Mazda badging off the vehicle, I'm not sure I could tell it apart from top-drawer equivalents produced by Mercedes-Benz or Lexus.

There's a lot to like besides the silky freeway ride and admirable turning radius.

It looks fetching upon those 21-inch alloy aluminum wheels. Inside, the black nappa leather was raved by volunteer passengers.

Favorite features on my list included paddle shifters, the easy-to-use 12.3-inch color center display, the hands-free power rear liftgate and the primo 12-speaker Bose audio system.

Seven full-size adults fit comfortably in the cabin, and with seats folded, the CX-90 is a brawny cargo carrier.

Strongly touted by Mazda is the 56 miles per gallon equivalent for electric/gas travel in combined city/highway driving.  Gas-only is pretty good as well at an average 26 mpg in city/highway use.

Another bonus: A max five-star overall vehicle score in federal government crash tests.

This top-end model on Mazda's CX list upholds the reputation of the that group, offering value, environmental advantages and a full boat of sound technology.