The Mopar® Nationals Nation Builders
That statement holds true just as much for automobiles as it does for baseball fields, as Mopar® lovers far and wide came together to form their very own “field of dreams” on July 10–12 at the Carlisle All-Chrysler Nationals in Carlisle, Pa. More than 2,200 Mopar-powered machines crowded the Carlisle Showfield, transforming the fairgrounds into an 82-acre testament to the passion that exists among car enthusiasts for Chrysler Group LLC and Mopar.
It’s dubbed “The Ultimate Mopar® Experience,” and for good reason. More than 50,000 Mopar enthusiasts and nearly 2,500 sweet Mopar rides came together to create another awe-inspiring display of passion and pride at the 29th running of the Mopar Nationals, staged at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, Ohio, on Aug. 6–8.
Mopar vs. Mopar drag racing action in numerous classes? Check. An insane burnout contest and a vast memorabilia and manufacturer midway? Got ’em. Add in a judged car show and a huge swap meet and it’s no wonder attendees needed every bit of three days to experience everything the Mopar Nationals had to offer. The festivities even extended after hours, as Mopar folk crowded and cruised the nearby streets of Brice Road and downtown Heath.
Show goers had the chance to meet Mopar racing legend “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, who signed autographs and brought the crowd to its feet with a run down the quarter-mile in his 392 Swamp Rat dragster. The Mopar Direct Connection and Mopar Speedshop trailers were also on hand for fans to browse, and the prototype Dodge Challenger Drag Pak by Mopar was among a quartet of Challengers on display in the Mopar area. Mopar’s Brian Falzon and Dale Aldo provided fans with some thrills by making a few passes in the Drag Pak.
St. Joseph, Ill., resident Gary Garrison’s 1969 Road Runner was chosen as winner of the Mopar “Top Eliminator” award at the Mopar Nationals. The program recognizes the most skilled Mopar enthusiasts and their restyled or customized Chrysler, Plymouth, Dodge and Jeep® vehicles. The Mopar “Top Eliminator” vehicles will be displayed by Mopar at the 2009 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show in Las Vegas (Nov. 3–6, 2009). Steve Fox of Evansville, Ind., took home Mopar Muscle Magazine’s Best of Show honors for his 1968 Plymouth GTX.
“I appreciate the honor, considering the work that has gone into the car,” said Garrison, who has attended the Mopar Nationals for 25 years. “A lot of times people buy a car and don’t have to put any work into it. This car’s had a lot of work involved.”
Aldo summed up the weekend perfectly:
“If you stand at the top of the tower at National Trail Raceway and look over the show field, swap meet, drag strip and midway, you realize just how massive the Mopar Nationals is,” said Aldo, Coordinator, Mopar Performance Parts. “It’s bigger than any other automotive event, for one brand, that I’ve ever attended. It’s just a great experience to be with people who are positive and that have come together for one purpose—to celebrate all things Mopar.”
