Well, the days leading up to the Inaugural McCandlees Mopar Classic held at historic Piedmont Dragway had us all on edge as the weather man was threatening us with what he called a "chance of showers". Well, by the end of the day on Saturday, several "chances" occurred, but it didn't put a damper on any of the activities until the end of the day, and the final pairs of racers ended up splitting the pot. We were pleased to hear that even though the weather kept some of the racers away, the Piedmont officials didn't "pro-rate" the pay outs, they offered a payout, and they delivered.
The swap meet guys started filing in early, and we even found some good buys for ourselves, so that went well. Like we mentioned, the weatherman wasn't kind, but there was still a lot of show cars that came to spend the day.
But for many, the Sox & Martin tribute had to be the highlight of the show. Piedmont Dragway was/is Sox & Martin territory, so the turnout was unbelievable and I don't think there was a dry eye in the house during the tribute when several of the Sox & Martin cars made parade laps down the track.
Sunday brought even more racing, and this small-town, two-day event has already proven itself that it is definitely one you have to put on your schedule for next year--we did.
If you wanted parts, the swap...
If you wanted parts, the swap meet was the place for you. Vendors were waiting at the gate before it even opened trying to get in.
We even found this '68 Valiant...
We even found this '68 Valiant for sale and briefly thought about another project. It's already white with a two-toned blue interior.
Here's something you don't...
Here's something you don't see everyday, a sleeper four-door. The owner added a 440 with a Max-Wedge top end.
Colton Pipich from Lewisville,...
Colton Pipich from Lewisville, North Carolina, brought his small-block powered '71 Scamp.
The two-toned paint looked...
The two-toned paint looked great on this car.
Marlin Yoder of Mcleansville,...
Marlin Yoder of Mcleansville, North Carolina...
...has a beautiful, old-school...
...has a beautiful, old-school Hemi powered ride.
If you like E-Bodies, Doug...
If you like E-Bodies, Doug Efland has one you'll definitely like.
Doug hails from Efland, North...
Doug hails from Efland, North Carolina, and his Cuda features 440 Six-Barrel.
The event featured a tribute...
The event featured a tribute to Ronnie Sox and the Sox & Martin team, and in attendance was Ronnie's dad, brothers and sister.
Also in attendance was Ronnie's...
Also in attendance was Ronnie's son, Dean making passes in his tribute Duster.
You want racing!? How about...
You want racing!? How about a Road Runner with a wheels-up launch.
How's this for old-school,...
How's this for old-school, gold rosin being placed on the track starting line--too cool.
The gentleman on the right...
The gentleman on the right in the red shirt is Dave Christie, and the very nice lady sitting to his left is Ms. King, the late Jake King's wife. What stories she had to tell during the weekend. We especially liked the story about delivering sandwiches to the shop at Midnight while the crew worked on the cars.
If the sight and sound of...
If the sight and sound of the Sox & Martin team cars driving on the track doesn't give you goose bumps, you need help. The tribute to the Sox & Martin team brought Ronnie's '65 Altered Wheelbase car, the '68 Super Stock Barracuda, the '70 GT! (Pro Stock) car, and Herb McCandless' Demon out on the track together.
So you're a Third Generation...
So you're a Third Generation McCandless...
...what else are you suppose...
...what else are you suppose to do?
Picture if you will, it's...
Picture if you will, it's 1971, and you see this man with his Demon pull into the pits. Your next thought is to just load up and go home, because Herb McCandless and his Demon were virtually unbeatable. Thanks to Todd Werner, Herb and his Demon have been reunited.
Mike McCandless and the Scoobie...
Mike McCandless and the Scoobie Doo van called out a fellow racing van for a grudge match. When the sun set, and the race was finally over, Mike had to eat his words.