On June 2nd and 3rd, Mopars converged at Beaver Springs Dragway, in Beaver Springs, PA, for the 6th annual Mopar or Not Car Nationals. Friday night’s test-n-tune allowed the drivers’ opportunities to dial in their rides for the main event on Saturday. Based on vehicle performance on Saturday, the Friday night session was worth it.

The long-time sponsors Butch Gummo and Surplus City, Kaiser Brothers Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Muncy and Danville, PA, and the Beaver Springs Zoo Crew were back to put on this year’s car show and racing event.

For the last few years, all the drag cars have been divided among four classes. The quickest eight Mopars on the grounds run in the Pro Mopar class. The eliminator operates off a .400 pro tree and is the only class to compete in the 1/8th mile. The other three eliminators run the ¼-mile and leave the starting line using a .500 full tree. Mopars running quicker than 11.99 seconds in the ¼-mile compete in HiPo Mopar. A 12-second or slower Mopar participates in Cool Mopar. Lastly, the late-model Mopars race the Modern Muscle class.

In his 1991 Dodge Daytona, Tim Riggleman anchored the Pro Class field with a 7.882 at 173 mph (5.04 in the 1/8th). After running a 5.054 in round one and a 5.049 in round two, Riggleman lined up against number two qualifier Huston Richards in his 1968 turbocharged Dodge Dart. At the flash of the tree, Riggleman had a great reaction, while Richards was a little tardy. Riggleman clicked off a 5.052 at 136.61 mph to take the win.

The HiPo class remains the most popular class. The five-round eliminator found multi-time finalist Chris Shaffer in his wheel-standing, 4-speed 1966 Plymouth Fury against Joe Dicello’s equally impressive wheel-standing 1971 Plymouth Duster. Shaffer dialed a 9.32, and Dicello got the head start with a 9.88 dial. Unfortunately, the race ended at the tree. Dicello lit the big red bulb. Shaffer ran a 9.338 at 140.32 mph, and Dicello ran it out with a 9.913 at 132.98 mph.

In Cool Street, Dave Weaver raced his way to the final in his 1971 Dodge Charger to meet two-time runner-up Rich Kershner III wheeling his 1973 Dodge Dart Sport. Weaver dialed a 12.73, and Kershner got the head start with a 13.50 dial. Weaver had a great reaction time and ran two over his dial (12.758) to win Kershner’s four-over (13.548) run.

In the Modern Muscle class, Ricky Snyder nailed the Christmas tree in his Hellcat Challenger and used that advantage to win with a 10.726 on a 10.71 dial. Runner-up Luke Karol, in his Grand Cherokee, ran a 16.159 on a 16.14 dial. He just could not overcome Snyder’s .017 reaction time.

Because of multiple conflicts with college and high school graduations, Beaver Springs Dragway owner Mike McCraken, has consulted with his sponsors to find a weekend with fewer conflicts. Be sure to continue to check Beaver Springs Dragway‘s social media sites and look forward to an even bigger show for 2024.

Final Round Results

Pro Mopar (1/8th mile)     Dial             RT      ET        MPH    Car
Winner -Tim Riggleman   Heads Up   .105    5.052  136.61  ’91 Daytona
R/U – Huston Richards     Heads Up   .306   5.624   126.72 ’68 Dart

HiPo Mopar (1/4 mile)
Winner -Chris Shaffer        9.32            .021    9.338  140.32  ’66 Fury
R/U – Joe Dicello                9.88           -.014    9.913  132.98   ’71 Duster

Cool Mopar (1/4 mile)
Winner – Dave Weaver     12.73           .026   12.758  101.24  ’71 Charger
R/U – Rich Kershner III    13.50           .054    13.548   96.59  ’73 Dart Sport

Modern Mopar
Winner – Ricky Snyder     10.71            .017     10.726  118.55  Hellcat Challenger
R/U – Luke Karol               16.14            .195     16.150   83.94   Grand Cherokee

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