As always, drag racing is a big part of Bristol’s Thompson Metal Mopar Thunder event. Eliminators were part of each of the three days (Fri-Sun) during the holiday weekend; here two cars in Super Pro launch during Saturday’s eliminations.

Meanwhile, the drag racing program was broken into three days. Friday was a test ‘n tune and Mopars vs The World brackets; Steve Foley of Barbourville, Ky. took home the top prize over Tony Johnson of Dandridge, Tenn. Saturday and Sunday were Mopar-only races – Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman / Street, and Slant Six. On Saturday, the winners were Travis Varner of Stanley, N.C. in Super Pro, Randy Walters of nearby Bluff City in Pro, and Bristol’s own John Nelson Jr. in the Street category. The next day, Nselson Jr. made it a sweep by again outlasting all opponents in Street; Pennington of Lexington, Ky. won Super Pro and Al Horton of Kernersville, N.C. won Pro. Norman Foster from Dalton, Ga. earned the Slant 6 crown.

This 1971 Hemi ’cuda owned by David Ellison was named Best of Show during the judged car show.

Cars came from several surrounding states to fill up a display lot of show cars of every stripe and style – from ‘50s era classic to new Challengers, from homebuilt cruisers to high-dollar modified and restorations, there was something for every fan. There was also a sprawling swap meet, featuring new and reusable parts, as well complete cars and vehicles for sale.

It was well-attended, and it is possible that Labor Day weekend at Bristol could become a regular stop on the yearly ‘Mopar Calendar.’ Like all events, it will need some time to evolve and develop on that date. Suggestions might include a North-South ‘Match-Bash’ nostalgia race, a late model drag race eliminator, a concourse feature show car area, an autocross on one of the other massive paved parking lots, and a group drive to the big weekly cruise at close-by Elizabethton on Saturday night. The benefit of hosting the event on this weekend is that it gives people an extra day to drive home or be doing other family activities. Perhaps Mopar Thunder will indeed become a Labor Day tradition.