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Volume IV, Issue 8 August 4, 2009
As always, Doll had put together an impressive selection of cars for the indoor display at the York Fairgrounds; this years focus was on Ford, so there was
a notable number of them, but that did not change the fact that town native Dave Strickler’s 1965 altered Dodge made its first return to the York environs in
decades (thanks to new owner Nick Smith). Kenny Warren debuted his restored 1970 Challenger funny car that was the quickest in the nation for a time. A
low mileage Hemi 1971 Road Runner was displayed by Ricky Greer. There were several Super Stock Hemi cars from all eras, plus other street and race
cars as well as serious Hemi motivation in a number of all-out competition machines.
But York is more about people, it really is. Arlen Vanke, Ed Miller, Bud Faubel, Dick Oldfield (of Motown
Missile fame), Tom Sneden, and Kenny Montgomery were all among the Mopar guys, but there was
also Wally Booth (who had a Hemi Dodge Super Bee in 1969), Phil Bonner, Bruce Larson, and other
guys who made it all happen back then. Every year, as much as we really hate to say it, that pool of
historical personalities gets smaller and smaller, which makes it all the more important to say ‘hi’ and
spend even a few minutes together.
Then the racing started. My son John had actually gotten over to the Quarter Aces track near Carlisle on
Friday and came back with some nice stuff; Sunday the reunion event transitioned up to the country
atmosphere of Beaver Springs Dragway, located in one of central Pennsylvania’s trademark betweenmountain
plains. As we’ve recalled in previous years’ coverage here on MoparMAX, this is likely the
most historic non-outlaw raceplant in the nation. It is WAY up there, about two hours from York, but I
always tell people that if you are into 1960s racing, this is one day you do not want to miss and well
worth the road time. Beaver Bob McCardle had three separate Stock and Super Stock eliminators
(Nostalgia, NHRA-Legal, and Junior), plus brackets, gassers, and exhibition nitro and alcohol machines.
And the glue was there. I am ashamed to say that I missed getting some of the monster wheelies on
camera, but it was great to witness it regardless. A number of cars that had been at York showed up,
while others had towed in just to go racin’ on Sunday. For the first time in a couple of years, a Sunday
storm did not interrupt the action, which was still going hot and heavy when prepared to leave for a
five-hour trip to Delaware in the early evening.
As for next year? Well, I am planning on being at Carlisle MOST of the time, but I imagine sliding over to
York for an afternoon will be on the agenda regardless. Check this out…
Summer Heat - Page 2 of 11 - MoparMax.com
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Dave Strickler’s 1965 altered wheelbase Dodge returned to York for the first time since the 1960s thanks to Florida collector Nick Smith. (Joel Stunkard photo)