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A non-stop weekend of MoPar ACTION!
50th Anniversary of the 1974 Model Year. 1974 saw the horsepower rating continue to drop each year from 1972. With only the 400 and 360 being the performance offerings, things were definetly slowing down. This years show will be celebrating the 1974 offerings with a special display area for these entered vehicles.
60th Anniversary of the 1964 Plymouth Barracuda and other models. 1964 was the introduction of the all new A-Body to compete in the pony car segment. It was offered with engines ranging from the 225 Slant Six and 273. Thus was the beginning of the Barracuda product line that went from 1964 to 1974. We are celebrating all the year's of the Barracuda & Cuda offerings.
Judged Car Show
The Nats is one of only a few Car Shows that offer participants entered into the Judging portion of the event the ability to have their car teamed Judged by professionals in the field. The judges are educated and have knowledge on the vehicles they are judging when it comes to the original classes, knowing what is correct and what isn’t. They also have been trained to judge in the modified classes to evaluate modifications based on execution, creativity, and quality. There is no “people’s choice” here at the Nats, you must have the “car” to take top honors. The Judged show participants are located on the West Side of the track.
Drag Race
See Hemi’s, Wedges both Big & Small, Turbos and V-10’s all competing for cash awards and plaques in the 2024 Nats Drag Program. The Nats features some of the fastest cars in the Midwest, all competing for top honors in the various racing classes. Cars come from almost every state in their attempt to be crowned the Nats Champion. Drag Racing is running on all three days with class eliminations taking place on Saturday & Sunday. Also featured will be exhibition runs from wheel standers and Pro Mods. Drag Racing is an integral part of the Nats where even the Fun Field entrants get to make a pass down the strip and possible qualify for the 100 MPH Club.
Fun Field
The Fun Field is for those entrants who want to enter their vehicle in the show for display purposes only. Participants will have a chance at winning door prizes, special awards and the ability to make a timed pass on the track on Saturday during one of the two open time trial sessions. Pre-registered participants also receive an event goody bag which is filled with event souvenirs and information.
Young Guns
The Nats started Young Guns in cooperation with Mopar Muscle Magazine many years ago. It is a Judged Show classification dedicated to those entrants 25 and younger (male or female) in both original and modified classes. In original, the vehicle must be restored and be over the age of 20 years old. In modified, any year vehicle will be accepted by obviously it has to have been modified and judging is based on the number of modifications, but more importantly their creativity, execution and quality. A special area in the Judging field is reserved for these entrants. We want to encourage young men and women to get into the hobby and be able to compete with each other on their limited financial budget. We realize that mom and dad will help out, but preference will be given to those who did it on their own with just a helping hand from the parents, not an endless bank account.
Awards Presentation
Sunday at 12 Noon starts the Nats Award presentation. Individual winners in the Car Show Judging classifications will have the opportunity to have their name announced, a brief description of their car and a commemorative parade lap in front of the grand stands. During this time the Best in Show awards will also be announced along with OE Certification results.
Burn Out Contest
The Nats was the first show to create the idea of a burn-out contest over 37 years ago. At 2pm on Friday & Saturday registered participants (show, race or vendor sticker) who signed-up at the Nats Registration Tent will get up to 1 minute to show off what their vehicle can do in putting up smoke. Judges and the crowd response will be used to determine the overall winner each day.
100 MPH Club
If your vehicle can run the quarter mile in 100 miles per hour or more you will be awarded a decal honoring your achievement and announcing you’re a member of the Nats Mopar 100 MPH Club. 100 MPH pass can be made in time trials or in competition. Only one decal per car will be awarded, pickup at the ET Shack where you will get your time slip.
Midway & Swap Meet
If you are looking for those hard-to-find parts, that proper date coded part or that last piece to finish your restoration, the Annual Nationals is the place to go! Visit the many companies on the Mopar Midway located on the East side of the track behind the grandstands or the general swap meet located in the northeast corner of the track. You will find new products, reproduction parts, NOS parts, accessories, waxes & cleaning supplies, wheels & tires, Modern as well as classic High Performance parts, Engines & Transmissions, Memorabilia, Artwork, Diecast & Model Cars, Mopar Wearbables & Collectibles and a whole lot more. Everything Mopar that you could ever want is available in the 1500 plus vendor spaces at the Nats. Vendors will be saving their "Good" stuff to bring out to this event, as it is the largest all-Mopar swap meet & manufacturer midway in the world. It’s also one of the last big events of the year, so prices are set lower to broom out the merchandise before the winter sets in. Many companies use the Nats to debut their new restoration/reproduction items and offer those bargain introductory discounts. It is unbelievable the number of unique parts that show up. If Mopar made it, it will be for sale at the Nats. Plan on spending a whole day just looking at all the parts. (While any part can be found at the Nats, most vendors cater to 1960 – to current year items)
Car Corral
For those interested in buying or selling a Mopar/AMC, the Nats offers a Car Corral. This is an area located on the north east side of the track, where all the vehicles that are available for sale are positioned in one area. This makes it a lot easier to have them in one place so you are not walking the whole grounds looking for sale signs.
Seminars -Instructional and Informational Sessions
The old saying a little knowledge goes a long way to saving time and money. Also, there’s a sense of self pride that puts a smile on your face and when doing something yourself. The Nationals features free seminars that offer information for both the diehard Mopar enthusiast and the newbie. Topics include performance, restoration, maintenance and more. Seminars are conducted by some of the biggest names in the business.
20th Annual Kids Coloring & Hot Wheels Contest
On Saturday starting at 11am at the Mopar Pavilion, kids 9 and under will be able to compete in a coloring contest that features the artwork of the Nats T-shirt. Winners will be awarded based on two groups, age 6 and under, and ages 7-9. Starting at 12 Noon the action for the kids turns to Hot Wheels Drag Racing. The participants age 9 and under select a Hot Wheels car supplied by us. (1:64 cars provided). The kids compete in a ladder style elimination Drag Race. Side by side eliminations just like the big guys are doing on the real strip a couple of hundred feet away. You can hear the real engines roaring in the background as the kids (and adults) are all excited as their cars are placed on the starting line. The countdown proceeds in Christmas tree fashion and the cars are released to the cheers of the audience. The winner goes on to the next round. Win or lose the children get to keep their selected race car. There are plaques for the winner and runner-up.
34th Annual Mopar Model Car Nationals
The little cars can be as fun as the big ones! AutoKnow of Utica, Michigan, will sponsor the 34th Annual Mopar Model Car Contest. Stop by the AutoKnow tent in the Manufacturer Midway (Space M6 & M7) and view the models for yourself. The amount of work and attention to detail these skilled model makers devote to these cars is unbelievable! Participants, ranging from young children to seasoned adults, may enter single or multiple cars, from complete scenes (dioramas) at racetracks to cars rusting away in a remote field.
Entry is very simple; the model only needs to be a Mopar/AMC product. Register your model at the AutoKnow tent on Saturday, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Models will be judged in different classes with results posted at 4 p.m. Participants should pick up their models by 5 p.m. Participants are divided into three age groups; 11 and under, 12 through 17 and 18 and over, with each group divided into stock and modified classes. There will also be a class for the diorama entries. Depending on the number of entries per class, First through Third Place trophies will be awarded. If you are into the hobby of building car models, then you can come and compete with some of the best. If you just want to look at the true craftsmanship in these works of art, stop by during your visit to the Mopar Manufacturer Midway.
Win “Door Prizes”
All participants and spectators are eligible to win a door prize at the Nats. Just fill out the top portion of your entry ticket and drop it in the door prize box located at the Nats Registration tent. You must be present to win. Just check out the door prize winning board for your ticket number. The board is wiped clean at the end of each day and new ticket winners will be drawn.
Car Club Challenge
Member of a Mopar Car Club? Get your members to attend the Nats in force. Clubs with at least 10 entries will receive reserved parking on the west side of the track in the show field. A nice grassy area for your club to gather, park and see the show. The Car Club with the most entries will win the Car Club Challenge and receive a plaque and also be featured in next year’s event program. Pas the word and get your car club involved!
Mopar Super Cruise
The Nats is well known as the largest single marquee night time cruise show in the world. Each night, downtown Heath and Reynoldsburg open their doors to allow cruising on the streets. This is where the Mopars shine. Starting at approximately 6PM, participants take to Brice Road or I-79 in downtown Heath. Please be careful of the bystanders and obey all traffic laws. While an occasional bark of the tires will be ignored, burnouts or wreckless driving will not be tolerated and you might be awarded a prize that no one wants during their stay at the Nats.
Hinderer CDJR Car Show
Saturday Night all eyes are on Hinderer CDJR as it opens its doors and lot to the cruisers as a place to park and enjoy company with your fellow Mopar enthusiasts and have a bite to eat along with live music playing. Hinderer CDJR offers great deals on their cars & trucks and are a sponsor of the Nats. Make sure to tell them you appreciate their support of the event.
Event Souvenirs
This year’s Nats will feature a number of great collector wearables and event souvenirs. The first 1500 pre-registered participants will receive a goody bag with special event souvenirs. The 43rd Annual event T-shirt will feature the 50th Anniversary of the 1964 Model Year as well as a tribute to the Plymouth Cuda. Also available will be an event ball cap, jacket, dash plaque, series coffee mug, and more. All are available for purchase at the Nationals souvenir stands. We will also be offering a special "Tribute” T-Shirt that will feature many of the highlights of the Event.