Salinas honors Aztec Legacy Car Club for five years of community service

The Monterey County Board of Supervisors celebrated a significant milestone at their recent meeting, honoring the Aztec Legacy Car Club on its fifth anniversary. This recognition highlights the club's dedication to community involvement and its role in promoting lowrider culture in the region.

Co-founders Jose Urquizo and Carmen Barragan, along with current club leaders, were present to receive the resolution, marking only the third time a car club has been honored in these chambers. The board emphasized the cultural shift regarding car clubs, noting that local governments once banned cruising but have since embraced these communities. In 2023, California Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation to prohibit such bans statewide, reflecting a broader acceptance of car culture.

The Aztec Legacy Car Club, established in Salinas in 2020, aims to preserve classic and lowrider vehicles while fostering family and community relationships. The club has evolved into a nonprofit organization, providing scholarships to first-generation college students facing financial hardships. Their community engagement includes showcasing vehicles at various local events and making history with car shows at the Soledad Correctional Training Facility and Monterey County Juvenile Hall.

The Board of Supervisors commended the club for its commitment to community service and its positive impact on local youth. As the meeting concluded, club members expressed gratitude for the recognition, reiterating their mission to give back to the community through educational support and engagement. This celebration not only honors the club's achievements but also underscores the evolving perception of car culture in Monterey County.