The 40th anniversary of Mopar Day was celebrated under ideal weather conditions, offering a picturesque setting for this milestone occasion. Organized by the Western Ontario Mopar Owner Club in partnership with the historic St. Thomas Dragway located in Sparta, Ontario, Canada, which is recognized as one of Canada’s earliest purpose-built drag racing venues. The first race was held on May 27, 1962. A far cry from its humble farm-side beginnings to becoming a nationally recognized dragstrip, St. Thomas Dragway has remained a beloved venue for racers and fans alike.
St. Thomas Dragway is located approximately three hours from Detroit, Michigan, and one and a half hours from Buffalo, New York. The venue has hosted prominent figures in racing history, including John Force, and holds the distinction of being the first drag strip outside the United States to receive sanctioning from the National Hot Rod Association. Operated by Spriet Motorsports Inc., the track offers weekly races from May through October, featuring a comprehensive season-long points program.
Mopar Day brought together enthusiasts and collectors from across the region. The atmosphere was one of pride and appreciation, as attendees honored four decades of Mopar heritage, engineering excellence, and community spirit. The gates opened at 8:00 am with cars lined up to the main road. The well-attended gathering featured a display of classic and modern vehicles, highlighting the enduring passion and commitment within the Mopar community.
To mark the occasion, organizers unveiled a specially designed commemorative shirt, which was made available for purchase by attendees seeking a lasting memento. The design captured the significance of the celebration and quickly became a popular item among participants.
Registered show vehicle owners were automatically entered into a door prize draw, presenting a chance to win a range of exciting giveaways. In addition, the return of the ticketed raffle system allowed guests to direct their tickets toward specific items of interest. This year’s expanded selection offered even more opportunities to take home memorable prizes.
Once again, the Western Ontario Mopar Owners Club demonstrated considerable dedication in securing these items from sponsors—a commendable effort underscoring their continued commitment to organizing this annual celebration.
The event showcased 140 registered vehicles, spanning Mopar’s rich history—from sleek 1940s classics to modern-day muscle like the Challenger, Charger, and Chrysler 300. Among the standout exhibits was a rare Canadian-market Fargo L600 vehicle carrier, a vintage workhorse once sold exclusively through Plymouth and DeSoto dealerships in Canada. Riding proudly atop the hauler was an early production AAR Cuda, a striking tribute to Mopar heritage, courtesy of owner Doug Durnin.
Also on display was Tim Heyda’s 1969 Mod Top Plymouth Barracuda, one of only 937 built. Other automobiles that caught my interest included a 1972 Butterscotch Charger, a 1969 Hemi Dodge Coronet, a Dodge A-100 pickup, and a 1969 Dodge Super Bee finished in F8, which is Dark Green Metallic. The showgrounds featured a genuine cornucopia of muscle vehicles, not just on exhibit but also competing in exhilarating racing action.
Vendor Row remained a staple of the event, offering a curated selection of automotive parts, restoration components, apparel, literature, and nostalgic collectibles. It provided attendees with opportunities to discover rare finds and essential items for ongoing projects or collections. For Mopar enthusiasts, a visit to Vendor Row is always a worthwhile experience.
A major draw of the show was the action-filled drag racing, which included five classes: Nostalgia Hemi, Gen 3 Hemi, Truck, ET 1, and ET 2. The Nostalgia Hemi class showcased classic muscle cars equipped with vintage Hemi engines, reviving the golden era of drag racing. Gen 3 Hemi featured modern vehicles powered by the latest generation of Hemi engines, highlighting technological advancements and power.
The Truck class brought high-powered pickups to the strip, combining brute force and agility. ET 1 and ET 2 were bracket classes based on elapsed time, allowing racers of varying skill levels and vehicle performance to compete on an even playing field. The heart-pounding races in each category ensured there was never a dull moment for fans throughout the event.
In the Nostalgia Hemi category, Dwight Vorstevel achieved first place, with Chris Issder as the runner-up. For the Gen 3 Hemi division, Tom Mierkalns secured victory, narrowly surpassing Royce Jones.
In the Truck Class, Dan Buchner earned top honors. ET 1 saw Dan Shantz claim first place, with Dave Britton as runner-up, while ET 2 was won by Dave Wheeler (WOMO President), with Brandon Whitfield finishing second.
The Mopar Day event is scheduled to take place on June 20th, 2026. Should you have the opportunity to attend next year, please mark this date in your calendar.
