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Images Mashie Mihalko and Phil Hutchison

The fans at the recent NHRA Pep Boys Nationals had an added treat in addition to the Mission Foods racing, the Mid Atlantic Nostalgia Pro Stock Association was at Maple Grove to give fans a little history lesson. A lesson that included tunnel ram manifolds and hood scoops.

Four cars were displayed on the main road leading to the staging lane for all the spectators and racers to check out during the event. And to give the fans a taste of what it looked like back in the day when these cars ruled the strip, The NHRA scheduled daily exhibition runs for all the cars.

On hand for the fans to enjoy were the 1985 Jerry Haas built Reher Morrison and Shepherd Camaro owned by Mark Pappa. The cars is powered by a BBC built by RMS.

Scott Wegner’s 1982 Grumpy’s Toy XVI tribute car powered by a BBC.

The 1979 Joe Satmary and Cannon Tuff Rabbit owned by Bill White. Powered by a BBC.

Wayne and Judy Meli’s Grumpy’s Toy X 74 Vega which was originally built by Mike Valerio for the Hiner and Miller team racing out of Akron Ohio. The car was unique at the time for its use of a full floater rear, a 4-link suspension and a shortened rack and pinion steering system to eliminate bump steer.  NHRA Sportsman racer Kevin Robb drives the Vega and Kevin’s wife Michelle is assistant crew chief. 

Friday’s session went as planned with long smokey burnouts and side by side runs. Saturday’s runs were cancelled due to a lengthy cleanup on the track which resulted in a shuffling of the schedule that affected the Sportsman racers too.

Sunday in front of the large crowd, the cars put on a great show with some fans too young to remember when Pro Stock was king and had the fans on their feet. 

Wayne Meli, organizer for the group said, “We are very proud and excited to display and run in exhibitions with these cars. Pro Stock would not exist if not for these cars.

“We were extremely excited to once again, return to Maple Grove to display our cars. Thanks go out to the Koretsky family and the House of Chaos which is what Maple Grove has become since they took over ownership. I have known the family since the days of Kenny running brackets at Atco.”

“The Pep Boys Nationals was great. A sold-out crowd and the larges track walk participation I have ever seen. It was a great weekend for racing and a great day of Nostalgia Pro Stock.”