Adam Carolla and the 2019 Chicago Auto Show

The 2019 Chicago Auto Show is running and runs through Monday, February 18 at McCormick Place. I was able to get an early start on my Auto Show experience Thursday at the Media Preview.

The Chicago Auto Show has a long and rich history, dating back to the first show in 1901. It is the largest auto show and has been held more times than any such auto show in this country. This year is the 111th Chicago Auto Show. More than 1,000 vehicles are on display in the over one million square feet of McCormick Place space devoted to the show.

My first day started in the Media Center. The media credential and orientation process was very smooth, among the best I have ever encountered. That's no small accomplishment with this large of a media group. This type of organization and management deserves applause.

As always, I arrived early. Knowing the show floor will be filled with people over the next several days, I took advantage of the less crowded show floor, occupied only by the press. This is just the first of many rounds I will make, but this one allowed for better photographs and more up-close inspection all with virtually no wait, except for a few other media personnel at any specific spot.

Last year, I used my time at the Chicago Auto Show to narrow down my selection for my next car purchase. There's no place else you can check out so many cars in one place in a short time span. This year, although not car-shopping, I still look forward to seeing all of the new models. I am not even a “car guy,” but I still love seeing the new offerings and specialty vehicles.

One little secret of the Auto Show is that it is a great place to meet celebrities. Last year, I met Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famer Bobby Hull, Chicago Bears Dontrelle Inman, Chicago Blackhawks legend Eddie Olczyk, many members of the ABC 7 news team and several other notables. The lines to meet them aren't horribly long and all of the celebs were very fan-friendly. I also ran into a handful of celebrities in attendance, proving celebs like cars, too!

This year, Chicago Bears Hall of Famer Dan Hampton, Chicago Blackhawks Hall of Famers Denis Savard, Bobby Hull and Chris Chelios, former Hawks Eddie Olczyk, Brian Campbell and Adam Burish, former Bulls champion Horace Grant, several members of the ABC 7 news team and more. For sports fans, these are some great names.

Special events this year include Craft Beer Night, a food drive to benefit A Safe Haven, sports team pride day, pet adoption and more. There are interactive displays, special panels and discussions and live radio. The folks in charge of the Chicago Auto Show have done a ggreat job in providing a variety of special attractions.

Of course, there are also test drives. While the Chicago Auto Show has plenty of fun besides the cars, the show is really about the cars. Make no mistake about that. The vehicles are the stars!

I finished my first day with a highlight by interviewing Adam Carolla. A noted car enthusiast, owner and racer, Carolla was there courtesy of Castrol. Carolla is one of the stars appearing in Castrol EDGE's Live on the Edge film series. The promotional campaign and video series features various celebrities seeking exhilarating activities. Carolla's video shows him in an Audi R8 V10 Quattro on a rain-soaked track. It's a cool video and after talking to Carolla and feeling his passion, it took on an even bigger meaning.

In my interview with Carolla, he talked about his ideal dream car (a BMW M1 Procar and a Newman Ferrari 308) and the favorite car he owns (a Porsche 935 race car). He talked about his favorite place to get away from everything, his successful podcast and throwing out the first pitch at baseball games.

As for this trip, he wasn't going to be in Chicago long and most of his free time would be inspecting the cool race cars at the Auto Show. I'm sure he started checking out cars immediately after his media session. You can eat any time, but you can't see this many awesome vehicles together very often.

Talking with Adam was an awesome way to start the 2019 Chicago Auto Show, but there is a lot more fun to be had over the next 10 days. There is so much to see and do here that I'll be back several times and I cannot wait!