First-time winner bursts into tears

Niki Jensen of Woodfords, Calif., was so thrilled by her first car club trophy she burst into tears when she heard their name called as first place in the Women's Choice category at the 18th Karson Kruzer's Run What Cha Brung, car show at Fuji Park on Sunday.

"I cried and cried and cried," a laughing Jensen said afterward, clutching her trophy. "This is our first trophy. I just can't believe it."

She and her husband Bob, were among the 375 entries in this year's car show that had an estimated 1,200 to 1,400 participants.

The Jensens got the bug to restore their 1956 cherry red Chevy Pickup about three years ago.

"We bought the truck 10 years ago to restore for our son, but we never got around to it," she said. "So we've drug it around all these years."

Surrounded by friends with cars of their own, the Jensens began their restoration and were awarded Sunday by their efforts.

"It's really not that expensive once the cars are done," she explained. But, she explained, they are never really "done."

"No. You are under construction for the rest of your life," she said.

Karson Kruzers hosts the event every year in which car enthusiasts from several clubs in Nevada and California compete for the top title in 75 categories. In all, 100 awards were handed out on Sunday by the 125-member group.

Sunday's ceremony was the last event in a weekend filled with a poker run, games, a parade down mainstreet and a sock hop downtown.

"This is the best club in the world. We love coming to this show," Jensen said. "They give you so much to do and take care of everything. It's so much fun."