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Joe Collins wins 14th annual Stick Shift Nationals By Van Abernethy
The 14th annual Butner Construction / Twin City Rebar Stick Shift Nationals is a once-yearly gathering of clutch cars that never disappoints , and the latest running was no exception . The event was held June 15-16 at Farmington Dragway near Mocksville , North Carolina . This premier event , which famously is completely free to enter for competitors , got kicked off on Friday night with the Scarlette ’ s Performance / Stick Pullers of America Gambler ’ s race . Colton Kirchner , who was one round away from winning the Gambler ’ s race in 2023 , sealed the deal 12 months later when he took the win light over Richie Gerringer for the weekend ’ s first payday .
The main event on Saturday is likely the most coveted win of any stick shift racer ’ s career , and the competition is fierce on race day . Castalia , North Carolina ’ s Joe Collins went the distance in the main event to become the latest winner , and at 71 years of age , he ’ s among the oldest , if not the oldest competitor to ever win the Stick Shift Nationals .
One thing ’ s for certain : Collins has never won the event before , and so the growing streak of first-time winners continues , as no one has ever repeated the feat in the main event for the entire
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14-year history of the Stick Shift Nationals . “ I came close to winning it back in 2021 when I runner-upped to Ronnie Courtney ,” says Collins . This year , Collins went the distance to collect the $ 10,000 payday when he got past Blanchester , Ohio ’ s Chuck Martin , driving his familiar “ Chuck Wagon ” 1978 Mercury Zephyr wagon .
Collins is a 43-year veteran of drag racing , and he ’ s done every bit of racing in the same car : a 1969 Camaro that he bought in November of 1980 . “ I bought the car in ‘ 80 and I ’ ve been racing it since ‘ 81 ... it ’ s the only car I ’ ve ever raced ,” he smiles .
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He ’ s collected many wins over the years at Rocky Mount , North Carolina ’ s Brewer ’ s Speedway , and even clinched an IHRA divisional title at Kinston Drag Strip in the mid-1990s , but he says his Stick Shift Nationals victory is for certain the biggest win of his career . “ I ’ m still not ready to hang it up with this car !” he says .
His son Cameron feels the same way , and also drives the car on occasion , winning a CCRA Stock / SS race , as well as runner-up at an NMCA race . “ It ’ s been a real good car for us ,” concludes Joe .
Brandon White took home the victory in the
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY VAN ABERNETHY |