This year , the race was proudly hosted and returned home to where it all began eight years ago at Wilkesboro Dragway in Wilkesboro , North Carolina , known to locals as Little Thunder Valley . After being held at other locations for a few years , with new management in place , it felt good to return to its roots .

The stars of the show were the immaculately recreated and original Pro Stock cars from the Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock , Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stock , and The Legends Pro Stock groups . All the groups having one common goal : keeping the memory of this great era alive , as well as honoring the late Don Carlton .

These cars truly capture the look , sound , and feel of the vehicles raced in previous decades . There were 10 original and nine tribute cars

participating this year . Participants in this race came from Canada , South Florida , and numerous points in between .

The highlight of the cars was the original “ Motown Missile ” ’ 72 Barracuda that was driven by Carlton himself . Accompanying the car were coowners Mark Williamson from Canada and Teresa Merritt from Georgia , restorer George Paul from Mississippi , Carlton ’ s widow , Jonnie Carlton , from Hudson , North Carolina , and original crew member Joe Pappas from Michigan .

There were also a couple of surprise guests : Johnny Dowey , former Pro Stock driver and track owner , and Todd Mack , former Budd ’ s Creek track owner and former promoter of the Mountain Motor Nationals , who both came out to support this historic event .

One of the track ’ s most attended races to date was fueled by track announcer Gordon Moore and special guest announcers Satch Gragg and Alvin Dildine . Their combined knowledge and history of this sport is unmatched and kept the fans eagerly awaiting more .

This year ’ s race changed from exhibition run style to competition with three separate groups : All-Clutch , Tribute , and The 70s . Driving the Frank Iaconio Oldsmobile Cutlass , Terry Adams won the All-Clutch class . Ed Mc- Naughton drove the Ewing & Ewing

Camaro to the win in the Tribute class . The 70s class win went to Steve Stanick in the Machak & Offerman Vega .

Along with Adams , McNaughton , and Stanick , this year ’ s participants included Steve Price with the Kurt Johnson Cavalier , Jeff Rudisill and his Bill Orndorff / Jerry Eckman Camaro , Mark Johnson with the Bob Glidden Thunderbird , Michael Roppo and the Butch Leal Rod Shop Trans Am , Steve Hitch with his Turner Motorsports / Fred ’ s Speed Shop Trans Am , Mike Ruth and his Bob Glidden Fairmont , Danny Sisk and his “ Dyno ” Don Nicholson Fairmont , Mike Robbins and his Rick Kent Dodge Mirada , Keith Bronson and his Robert Patrick Probe , Keith Bronson Jr . with a Bob Glidden Thunderbird , Clinton Snead and the Charlie Peppers EXP , Eddie Hall and Larry Snead with their Eddie Ratliff Dodge Demon , McGrath Keen and his “ Motown Missile ” Barracuda , Ed Eichelberger and his “ Grumpy ’ s Toy ” Camaro , and Michael Sipe with his Dodge Colt and Plymouth Arrow .

Everyone involved with the Don Carlton Memorial Nostalgia Pro Stock Race extends a special thanks to track management : Paul Salvatore and Cindy Meredith . The group plans to host the event at Wilkesboro again in 2024 . DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY GEOFF STUNKARD