(Words and photos by Doug Gregory) – So, I broke my long-time rule of not covering or attending model/make specific events.  It was my birthday and I wanted to do something car-related and I even got to go with two of my sons.  Deciding to go turned my day from less-than-stellar into one for the memory bank.

The Mopar Southern Classic has been held in the fall at Clay City for as long as I can remember.  Kentucky and surrounding areas have a healthy Mopar following and this event always packs them in.  I’ve been to a few of these, but never really took many photos.  The event typically has a Hemi challenge, a quickest street-legal race, Slant Six competition, and much more.  Added to the mix this time were exhibition runs by Blown Chrysler dragster the ‘Lake Erie Monster’ and the world’s quickest barber (Kevin Jones) in the ‘Altered Ego’ fuel altered from just down the road in Berea, KY.  I was out of place for every pass they made except one burnout by the rail and couldn’t get a clean shot of the altered.  It’s a popular car and I don’t ask people to move.  Having a bangshift shirt on does not part the masses for a photo unless you’re one of the few that matter.  << Not me.

I do not have any photos of on-track action past the burnout box because I did not request trackside access.  It’s all my fault as this was not a planned trip.  We still had fun and got lots to show you.  Most photos are in chronological order with many photos of the same car being placed in consecutive order.

Do not expect a great deal of description on these.  I do not speak fluent Mopar.  Sure I can tell you when I see most models starting with a ‘C’ or a ‘D’, but it gets foggy for me going back mid to early 60s.  The models and names I know.  Putting them with an actual car that may or may not have a badge on it is haphazard at best.

Photos start off with Hustlin Hemi and Hustlin Hemi II, a Coronett and Dart respectively.  Both lived up to their names.  There was a car show too, but many of the cars in that were leaving as we arrived.  We’ve never laid eyes on the blotchy van before this, but soon learned it is a well-known wheelie machine from Ohio.  You’ll undoubtedly notice the black Hellcat Challenger from Epling Garage of Bean Station, TN that is labeled the ‘Quickest Hellcat’ running 7.84@176mph.  No…it is not stock, but it is a real SRT Hellcat and is very impressive.  It was running in the KOS (King Of the Streets) class and we witnessed three passes and each required pedaling to get the nose down from the stratosphere.  This rig is a three-pedal ride using a liberty 5-speed and we have no doubt it will continue to run better numbers in the right conditions.

The white Neon, bless its heart, was a blast to watch with 2ft wheelies on every pass.  I have never seen a skittle done up as a bracket car quite like this before and it goes to show no one knows what kind of combination these Mopar folks will bring out.

If you like this kind of thing check back and see a few more all Mopar galleries