SOUTHEAST NOSTALGIA PRO STOCK

up partnering with the manufacturer for his Pro Stock campaign .

By 1977 , Carlton was still running a brutal race schedule that included IHRA and NHRA events , match racing everywhere , as well as numerous test sessions . July 5 , 1977 , would be the end of an era as Carlton lost his life while testing at Milan Dragway in Michigan .

The Don Carlton Memorial Nostalgia Pro Stock race was the brainchild of Jeff Rudisill of Carlton ’ s

hometown , Lenoir . The first race was held in 2016 . Rudisill , who competed in Top Sportsman with NHRA and IHRA off and on from 2000 through 2014 , had been thinking for a while about trying something different . After seeing a video from The Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stock “ Paying Tribute to the Legends ” group , Rudisill wanted to bring Nostalgia Pro Stock to the Southeast . Rudisill then started the Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock group and felt that having a memorial race for his hometown hero in his yearly schedule would pay respect to one of the most influential

and accomplished racers of his time .

In early 2020 , Rudisill partnered with Donnie and Trina Gibbs at Mooresville Dragway to hold the fifth running of the event at the historic North Carolina dragstrip . The event featured a number of match races , as well as a 4-second shootout .

The race was sponsored by Jeff Pittman and Angie Travis of Hickory Enclosed Trailer Sales and RPM Racing Performance Motorcoaches , Brian Younce at Younce Auto Sales & RV and Younce Building & Storage , and Kevin Parsons at Applachian Metal Works . DI

Tracy Kilby slows alongside Terry Adams .

Danny Sisk in the “’ Dyno Don ’ Nicholson ” Ford Fairmont races against Clinton Snead in his Bob Glidden tribute Ford EXP .

Keith Bronson Jr . heats up the tires in his Motorcraft Bob Glidden tribute Ford Thunderbird .

Mike Ruth brings his brother Jim Ruth ’ s “ Party Time ” Trans Am to a stop .

34 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 165