This year was interesting all the way around. The change to keep the SMOY and SROY contenders in the building was different, and kind of nice. When they chose the Top 5 in each category, and then tried to talk over the engines and DJ, coordinate, and manage bringing the 10 vehicles to the front, interview the owners and builders, and then - finally - get to the awards - it showed the idea wasn't fully fleshed out before being initiated.
It was definitely nice to have them all in the building at the end, but not very well executed. I was more than fidgety in my seat by the time the winners were announced - and then they still wanted people to sit tight for the giveaway unveiling - no way.
The biggest issue: I had no incentive to return today. The weather seems (from my home) to have held up, but I really saw all I wanted to see yesterday... I used to go back on Sundays for the All-American show, and to cap the event off with the Big 10 in the building and (hopefully) some good ol rock and roll.
I don't mean to sound negative - just an opinion on the new order of events. Overall, I loved the show this year. I was in 7th Heaven. I did the after party Friday, slept three hours, the show all day Saturday, then after parties at both host hotels Saturday, before my adrenaline finally wore down enough to get a full night's sleep.
I love this show.