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Mega Mopar Action Series – Extra Coverage
Mopars Rock at Memphis International Raceway
By Kate Armitage
The Mega Mopar Action Series hosted at Memphis International Raceway July 5-6, 2013 was filled with power, performance and a plethora of cars worthy of being called Mopar. The inaugural event for MIR brought together those with a passion for Mopar – racers and fans alike
The event offered something for everyone. The action kicked off on Friday night with Mopar vs. The World. Cars and bikes off all makes and models went head to head with Mopars on the historic dragstrip in fun Test & Tune racing action. The rocking pit party featured a free entry car and bike show and plenty of people rocking out to the sounds of Rick Camp and the Suburban Trunk Monkeys in concert.
(L-R) Rick Cam and the Suburban Trunk Monkeys, Don Johnson from Southaven, MS – Car Show Winner 2010 Challenger RT and Tony Yeager from Horn Lake, MS – Winner of Bike Show 2009 Hayabusa.
On Saturday, Mopar enthusiasts witnessed some of the finest racing in the Mid-South. In addition to the various Mopar classes including: Street Mopar, Mopar Bracket Combo, S&W Race Cars Challenger Shootout, Tuff Truck, Hemi Challenge, Stock / Super Stock and Nostalgia Combo. MIR hosted a make-up Summit Bracket Race presented by COMP Cams, the Dixie Doorslammers and NASA Autocross. Fans were treated to some spectacular racing on Saturday. One highlight was Sandra Floyd from McKenzie, TN who took the win in Mopar Street Class in her 1999 Dodge Ram. Floyd certainly got the attention of fellow racers when she received a trophy almost as tall as she is in the 2nd time she has ever raced.
The Tuff Truck class was another racing standout that was dominated by Billy Bennett from Munford, TN. Bennett, owner of B & B Towing, took the Runner Up position with his Dodge 2500 pickup while his other 2012 Dodge 5500 Tow Truck driven by James Brown of Millington, TN took the top spot in the Tuff Truck Class. B & B Tow Trucks are easily identifiable because they all bear symbols of breast cancer awareness. Breast cancer awareness is a cause that is near and dear to Bennett and the tow truck featuring the signature pink ribbon brings a whole new dimension to the Tuff Truck class.
In the bracket program Matt Anderson emerges as a real contender taking the runner up position in both the Pro Footbrake and DOT classes. Complete race results are listed below.
For some, the highlight of the weekend was racing. For others, the Mega Mopar Action Series was all about the car and truck show. Fans were able to get up close and personal with some of MoparÂ’s finest new models, one of a kind customs and rare antiques. The one common thread shared by all was passion for Mopar. Chuck WilliamsonÂ’s 1953 Meadowbrook Suburban 2-door wagon was one of the custom show stoppers on Saturday. Williamson, from McCrory, AR stumbled upon this vehicle at a laundry mat in rural Arkansas. While he found the vehicle in running order, Williamson had other plans for this diamond in the rough. He began his 5 year labor of love transforming the old, deteriorating wagon into the one of a kind masterpiece it is today
In stark contrast to the custom beauty shown above is Ronnie Stocks’ original and unrestored 1968 Dodge Charger. Stocks purchased the car new and drove it until 1972. Stocks, from Southaven, MS is the one and only owner of this classic work of art. “I attempted to sell it once when the price of gas skyrocketed in the ‘70s. I was asking $3,000, but the guy thought I wanted too much,” said Stocks. He laughed as he told this story saying his insurance agent told him recently his car is valued at $152,000 for insurance purposes today. Stocks is a Mopar man through and through. He has owned several over the years. While he normally drives his 2013 Blacktop Challenger, he still drives his ’68 Charger to area car shows and occasionally to Sonic.
SATURDAY CAR SHOW RESULTS
A-BODY MODIFIED
Winner:Wayne Ellis1969 Dodge DARTRipley, TN
Outstanding:Kevin Lane1972 Dodge DARTMemphis, TN
A-BODY STOCK
Winner:Rick Powell1970 Dodge DARTMillington, TN
B-BODY STOCK
Winner:Michael Roberts1971 Plymouth GTXGreenbrier, AR
CHALLENGER MODIFIED
Winner:Tonya Knoener2008 Dodge ChallengerStar City, AR
Outstanding:Jim Tait 2011 Dodge ChallengerGermantown, TN
CHALLENGER STOCK
Winner:Paul E. Glidewell2010 R/T Classic Challenger Atoka, TN
Outstanding:Raymond Perkins2010 ChallengerHernando, MS
CHARGER MODIFIED
Winner:Tim Audrisly2008 Dodge ChargerByhalia, MS
Outstanding:Charles (Pat) Cicero2006 Dodge ChargerBartlett, TN
CHARGER STOCK
Winner:Jon Buell2013 Dodge ChargerStuttgart, AR
DAILY DRIVER MODIFIED
Winner:Chuck Williamson1953 Dodge Meadowbrook SuburbanMcCrory, AR
Outstanding:Pa2002 Chrysler PT HemiStantonville, TN
E-BODY MODIFIED
Winner:James Gibson1973 Plymouth CudaHorn Lake, MS
E-BODY STOCK
Winner:Jim Griffith1971 Dodge ChallengerHernando, MS
NEON & CALIBER SRT – 4 STOCK MODIFIED
Winner:Chris Pitcock2005 Dodge NeonLake Cormorant, MS
STREET ROD
Winner:Margert Springer1934 Plymouth CoupeHenderson, TN
UNRESTORED / SURVIVOR STOCK 79 / OLDER
Winner:Ronnie Stocks1968 Dodge ChargerSouthaven, MS
Outstanding:Vic Bernabe1979 Dodge D-150 Little Red ExpressCordova, TN
TRUCK MODIFIED
Winner:Wayne Ellis1970 Dodge Power wagonRipley, TN
TRUCK STOCK 94 AND UP
Winner:Rick Cline2005 SRT 10 VIPER Millington, TN
Outstanding:Greg Gariana2005 SRT 10 Dodge RamSherwood, AR
BEST OF SHOW – Chuck Williamson / 1953 Dodge Meadowbrook Suburban
TRACK PICK – Jim Griffin / 1971 Dodge Challenger
BEST INTERIOR – Jim Griffin / 1971 Dodge Challenger
BEST ENGINE – Raymond Perkins / 2010 Dodge Challenger
BEST PAINT – Tonya Knoener / 2008 Dodge Challenger
BEST DETAIL – Wayne Ellis / 1969 Dodge Dart
CLUB PARTICIPATION – Mid South Challengers
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