When the 2024 dates for the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals were announced in 2022, many were circling them on their calendar, asking off from work, and planning for their July 12-14 car party vacation.  With a little patience from those who consider this Christmas in July, the dates came and went; and what a fun few days it was at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds and Carlisle Expo Center. 

Gates opened at 7 AM each day for the event, but the fun actually started as early as Wednesday, July 10.  Seriously, showgoers are so excited to be part of the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals that they roll in early to soak in the summer sun, meet up with friends, visit some early-arriving vendors, and on Thursday, July 11, enjoy the annual Mopar Rebellion Car Club kick-off party and cruise in.  More than 400 rides and even more enthusiasts invaded the Expo Center lot for nearly four hours.  During that window, they took the time to socialize, enjoy music, and indulge in some tasty eats too.  There was even a Mopar-powered jet boat that was fired up, bringing the west side of Carlisle to life on a sleepy Thursday evening.

From there, it was full speed ahead with the car show itself.  Friday started with a special ceremony on the stage.  This included guests from the Walter P. Chrysler car club which announced a big Chrysler 100^th celebration for 2025 in Carlisle, members of the Ramchargers, Herb McCandless, Buddy Martin, Paul Rossi, Claudia (Miss Direct Connection from the 1980s), and more.  There was even an unveiling of a 1958 Plymouth Fury that had been completely restored to better than new and was powered by a 1,025 horsepower Demon 170 engine.  This is the first known Demon 170 swap on the planet! The unveiling was hosted by Herb McCandless, Jr.

From there, guests enjoyed three full days of amazing cars, cool designs, original classics, parts shopping, and track competitions.  There were three buildings with special displays and two tents; giving showgoers ample opportunities to see some of the best vehicles of their type.  This included a 55-year reunion of A12 cars in Building Y, dozens of High Impact and Old Skool Paint cars in Building T, a 100 Years of Chrysler teaser showcase in Building R, the Survivor Tent hosted by the Major brothers in honor of their dad Mel, and a tent of trucks, but not just any trucks, this was a 20-year gathering of Viper-powered SRT10 Trucks. 

The wheels were in motion at Carlisle throughout the weekend as well.  There was a rolling exhaust contest, a rolling burnout and donut contest, open autocross runs, and even an autocross contest known as the Real Street Shootout.  In each instance, the overlook at the Carlisle track was packed with spectators who fluttered over like moths to a flame when they heard the roar of the engines and the squeal of the tires.

Parts shopping is also a VERY important part of this event.  The Manufacturers Midway was populated with some of the top companies in the automotive industry, while the automotive flea market was SOLD OUT, making it the largest of its type for Mopar enthusiasts.  Big car show, big parts swap…big time fun at Carlisle in 2024!

Finally, the camaraderie amongst car clubs is one of the most personal elements one can experience at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals.  The clubs, while individual, congregate at Carlisle as a community.  They each have their own interests day to day, but at an event like this, what really drives their passion is their mutual love and respect for not only each other but for the cars and trucks in front of them.  It makes looking forward to next year that much more special for everyone.

Speaking of next year, while 2024 is a wrap, plans are underway for 2025.  Save the dates, because the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals return July 11-13 and will feature a big Chrysler 100^th celebration, known as the Chrysler 100, the 55^th anniversary of the 1970 AAR ‘Cuda and Challenger T/A, and more.  Learn more about the continuation of the Carlisle Events 50^th Anniversary season and make your plans at CarlisleEvents.com. 

The Aerolarri Wheels Fun Field at Corvettes at Carlisle is always populated with a great mix of Corvettes.  In fact, this year’s event, August 22-24 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, can confirm at least one Corvette from every generation of production.  Of those generations, some will be stock, some will be modified, and some…will be iconic!  As icons go, it doesn’t get more otherworldly to Corvette enthusiasts than the Corvette Challenge Series and at this year’s events, many of the popular cars from the series will be on display, and just confirmed, a group of drivers will be on-site too.

Of the drivers, some names stand out over others, but each played a role in the success of the series, while also being a champion for the Corvette brand in the ‘80s as well.  Below is a brief synopsis of each driver; with each planning to be part of a Racer’s Roundtable Q&A Session, sign autographs, pose for photos, and maybe…just maybe, get behind the wheel of a Challenge Car one more time for laps on the Carlisle truck.

Peter Cunningham:  Cunningham is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin native who has nearly 100 wins under his belt dating back to 1990.  His racing portfolio is diverse, having raced in a variety of series, but the Corvettes at Carlisle spotlight shines on him due to his Challenge Car resume.  During the 1988 season, Cunningham earned eight top-10 finishes, including a podium spot at Road America.  In addition to his success at Road America in the Challenge Car Series, he’s seen success on tracks like Sebring, Daytona, Watkins Glenn, and more.

Robert Carradine:  Maybe you have never seen Robert Carradine drive, but there’s a good chance you’ve heard him laugh.  Carradine comes from a long line of actors and is famous for his role as Lewis Skolnick in the Revenge of the Nerds comedy films, but according to him, his first love is auto racing.  It’s this passion that drove him to the Corvette Challenge series in the 1980s.  In fact, in 1988, Carradine drove Challenge Car #97, logging two top-fives (Dallas and Sears Point), while earning the pole at Brainerd.  He also raced the #65 car in 1989.   During that season, Carradine is credited with six top-10 finishes, including a season-best fourth at Sears Point.  He’s logged countless laps on tracks around the country, including at the famed Daytona International Speedway and the Rolex 24 in 2000.  Still active as an actor, Carradine was part of a 2024 film called The Night They Came Home, and is attached to a few more projects, all currently listed in pre-production.

Stu Hayner:  Stu Hayner was a force to be reckoned with during the 1988 and 1989 Challenge Car seasons.  During the 1988 season Hayner was the series champion in the #98 car, and in 1989, raced in the rebranded #1 car.  During the ’88 season, he notched nine top-10 finishes, including a victory, two second-place finishes, and a third-place finish.  The Yorba Linda, California native not only won the Challenge Series title in 1988, he also captured the SCCA Endurance Championship too.  Hayner has the distinction of being the first driver to win races in two different series, in two different types of race cars, in two different countries, within a single 24-hour period.  Things will be a little more low-key in August at Carlisle, but as he sits amongst his Challenge Car brethren, expect the competitive blood to still be flowing through his veins.

Kenny Wallace Sr. and Kenny Wallace Jr.:  The Wallace name is famous in racing for a variety of reasons.  For NASCAR fans, they know Rusty and his brother Kenny, but for Corvette Challenge Car fans, these Kenny Wallaces aren’t related to those Wallaces, though both have a tie-in to going fast.  Kenny Wallace Sr. and Kenny Wallace Jr. each played a role in the series, with Sr. owning Valley Chevrolet of Wilkes-Barre, PA, a dealership that helped secure ALL of the Challenge Cars, while, Jr. was a driver in the series.

Shawn Hendricks:  Shawn Hendricks of Piedmont, South Carolina was part of the ’88 and ’89 series.  The ’89 year saw Hendricks pilot the #7 Valley Chevrolet car and along the way, logged six top-5 finishes, eight top-10 finishes, and three poles.  When running, the car was so dominant that it completed 92% percent of its laps.  There were only two races in 1989 where the #7 had issues, crashing out at the Des Moines, Iowa race, and having differential issues at Road America course in Wisconsin.

Peter Lockhart:  Peter Lockhart is a Canadian Motorsports Hall of Famer who piloted the #11 Sony car, taking 2nd in 1989.  His success in 1989 only scratches the surface of his career accomplishments.  Lockhart has competed in and won in a variety of race cars and series, including SCCA Formula Ford, Firestone Firehawk Endurance Championship, along with the aforementioned Challenge Car Series just to name a few.  From short, sprint type races to longer, endurance based ones, Lockhart has done it all.  A team owner and operator as well, Lockhart worked in tandem with major companies such as Esso, Sony, Sunoco, and Magna. 

Corvettes at Carlisle starts at 7 AM each day and culminates with a family-friendly downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade, Park, and Party.  In between, enjoy the special guests, displays, activities, and parts shopping in the automotive flea market.  Fun Field registration is available online through Monday of event week, while discounted spectator admission tickets are available throughout event weekend.  Each can be secured at CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855 for details.  As always, kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.

Beginning July 26, athletes from around the world converge on Paris, France for the Summer Olympics games.  While this weeks-long event showcases the best of the best in a variety of disciplines, some 3,780 miles away about one week later at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, the complete opposite takes center stage for the Red 102.3 Redneck Games at the Carlisle Truck Nationals.

Carlisle Truck Nationals weekend is August 2-4 and from 7 AM on Friday through load out Sunday, highlights a variety of family-friendly activities.  In addition to the trucks on display and in motion, Carlisle Events, a long-standing local business within the Carlisle community, is pleased to partner with another local entity; Radio Carlisle’s Red 102.3 for their popular Redneck Games event. 

Maybe it’s a bit ironic that the actual Olympics in Paris start a week earlier because whatever will happen at this year’s Redneck Games will be the opposite of anything showcased in France.  The games start at 10 AM on Saturday, August 3 with a very entertaining opening ceremony.  Led by the station’s local on-air personalities, the 16 athletes, and we use this term loosely, will position themselves in front of the stage for a handful of physically and mentally challenging contests.  

Two groups of four teams (16 participants) square off as part of six games of skill and chance.  Games range from pretty simple, to more than a little difficult.  Games are as follows:  Road Kill Toss (no actual road kill will be tossed), Cigarette Flip (assuming no actual cigarettes either), Beer Bottle Ring Toss, Cornhole, Toilet Paper Toss, and the grand finale; Bobbing for Pigs Feet.  The winning team earns a variety of prizes from the Red 102.3 prize closet, while everyone else gets a parting gift of some sort.  In addition, everyone will have their shenanigans showcased on social media for the world to see!    

Promotion of the 2024 Redneck Games is currently underway by way of the Carlisle Events web page, Carlisle Truck Nationals social media channels, and on-air with Red 102.3.  On-air and social media promotion starts July 10, with registration through Red 102.3 running July 16- 19.  Advanced contesting will see six teams win their way into the competition, while two more teams will be selected as wild card entrants in person at the Carlisle Truck Nationals.

Aside from this activity, the Carlisle Truck Nationals continue to welcome in trucks, displays, and activities that are fun for all ages.  There are monster truck shows and rides, freestyle motorcycle stunt shows, trucks of all shapes, sizes, styles, and eras, and best of all, kids 12 and under are admitted FREE!   

Spectator admission tickets are discounted online in advance and Showfield registration is available online through Monday, July 29 (in person thereafter).  To learn more and make plans to attend, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855 today. 

The Carlisle GM Nationals car show (June 21-22, 2024) has been an important part of the Carlisle Events season-long schedule of automotive entertainment for more than two decades.  For an event that averages a little more than 1,000 show cars on the National Parts Depot Showfield and around 21,000 guests through the gates, it’s a must-visit each year for die-hard GM enthusiasts.  This year’s offering was no different, as the NPD Showfield turnout of 1,067 ranks 6^th all-time for the event that’s been taking over the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds since 2001.  It’s also the second-highest car count dating back to 2011.

Gates opened at 7 AM on Friday, June 21 and for those who came early, it was a chance to visit the automotive flea market and midway to shop for parts, while also traversing two amazing display halls.  Within each, guests could enjoy a snapshot of automotive excellence, including the Solid Lifter Showroom (SLS) in Building T and a Cadillac display in Building Y.

These two displays welcomed some amazing and historically significant vehicles.  Solid Lifter Showroom fans had a chance to see every color of Yenko Camaro and Chevelle ever created, a few prototypes, and the biggest SLS ever, with 50 cars on display.  Adjacent to the SLS was the Cadillac display which featured vehicles dating from the 1940s through modern day.  The anchor piece, at least for pop-culture enthusiasts, was a 1977 Cadillac formerly owned by Hollywood icon Betty White. 

In addition to the display cars indoors, there were many more outdoors.  This included many with Pontiac, Buick, Chevrolet, GMC, Cadillac, Hummer, Saturn, Saab, Opel, and Oldsmobile branding.  One of the hottest display areas belonged to the Fiero.  There were hundreds of them at Carlisle and best of all, they were flanked by two men who helped build and design them, John Schinella, and John Callies.  These men also hosted a trio of round-table Q&A sessions on the stage, while also posing for photos and signing autographs. 

There were pop-up parades around the grounds, including one with the 3^rd Gen Camaros and Firebirds, and another with the Cadillacs.  Bruce Larson returned to Carlisle too, showcasing his sensory overload-inducing Nitrofest on six different occasions, plus there were wheels in motion competitions, including a rolling exhaust contest, rolling burnout and donut contest, and the real street shootout (autocross).

Shows within the show are always popular and this year was no different.  The aforementioned 3^rd Generation Camaro and Firebird Nationals continue to grow, as does Novas at Carlisle, along with Corvettes for Chip.  Ultimately, there was a little something for everyone to enjoy this year, while also looking forward to next year.

Speaking of next year, while 2024 is a wrap, plans are underway for 2025.  Save the dates, because the Carlisle GM Nationals return June 20-21 and will feature displays dedicated to 75 Years of the Tri-Fives including the Bel Air, 55 Years of the Monte Carlo, and IROCs.  In addition, the popular activities and shows within the show return as well.  Learn more about the continuation of the Carlisle Events 50^th Anniversary season and make your plans at CarlisleEvents.com. 

Year over year, Mopar enthusiasts have a pretty good idea of WHAT they’ll experience at the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, but it’s usually a little closer to showtime (July 12-14, 2024) when they get to learn about WHO they’ll have the opportunity to interact with at the show.  While the displays this year are a home run at every turn, the gallery of guests is more like a grand slam. 

Gates open at 7 AM each day and as showgoers flock to the largest all-Mopar themed automotive flea market and Showfield, they’ll want to carve out time to mix and mingle with some of their favorite guests too.  Guests include Dave Rea, from MotorTrend TV, Mark “Fletch” Fletcher, host of Australian based TV show Classic Restos, Claudia Abel, Ms. Direct Connection 1984, Buddy Martin, of the legendary Sox & Martin drag racing team, Herb McCandless, legendary drag racer and Mopar genius, Paul Rossi, drag racer and Mr. Direct Connection, and Nick Panaritis, host of Nick’s Garage on YouTube.

Each guest brings a unique perspective and diverse resume to Carlisle.

Dave Rea:  Dave Rea was featured on five seasons of a popular Mopar restoration show on MotorTrend TV and you can meet him at the show this year. Dave has a couple of autograph sessions scheduled in the Autograph Tent and he’ll be part of the panel in the Restorers’ Roundtable seminar on Friday. Don’t miss this opportunity to meet one of the nicest and most knowledgeable Mopar guys around!

Mark Fletcher:  Decades-long TV host of Classic Restos.  Fletch is a true car guy and has traveled the world in search of great content and stories.  This isn’t his first time at Carlisle, but it’s his first in many years.  Fletch will roam the show all weekend looking for individual vehicles to feature as well as covering the overall event. 

Claudia:  It's been 40 years since Claudia was Ms. Direct Connection, but for those who had “the poster” in the ‘80s, it’s fair to say that she’s just as popular today as she was when MTV was cool.  This year’s autograph session with Claudia features a photo of her doing a split across two Superbird wings!  Not bad for a woman with six kids who also has about 10 years of life on the cars she’s posed with. 

Ronnie Martin:  Courtesy of the McCandless Collection, Buddy Martin will appear at the show on Friday and Saturday. Buddy will spend most of his time in the McCandless Collection on the Midway (space IG 109-126). Buddy and Herb McCandless will be there most of the weekend to meet fans, sign autographs, and more. In addition, guests can expect some Sox & Martin merchandise in the McCandless Collection display, too.

Herb McCandless:  Herb has been coming to Carlisle for decades, and not necessarily as a celebrity. Herb comes as an enthusiast as much as anyone. He shares his cars, his stories and his knowledge at the show.  Herb is planning to bring some cars to showcase, ranging from race cars to street cars and from the ‘70s back to the ‘50s.

Paul Rossi:  Paul is one of the few racers who has had a successful career in more than one form of motorsports.  He spent the first part of his career going fast in a straight line then switched to road racing, which is an entirely different discipline.  Beyond his time in the seat, Paul also did a lot for racing and the automotive industry behind the scenes.  Meet Paul at Carlisle and see his latest version of his famous Direct Connection 1970 Challenger.

Nick Panaritis:  Watching Nick’s YouTube channel is kind of like hanging out in his garage on a Saturday night. Instead of two or three guys learning from a smart guy, more than 250,000 people are following Nick’s Garage, making him able to share his knowledge with a lot more people.  He’ll have six display cars and an engine with him too. 

Each guest is easily accessible and open to posing for photos, signing autographs, or answering any and all questions related to the automotive hobby and their respective careers.  In each instance, the interaction and experience is FREE once on grounds.  Spectator admission tickets are discounted online in advance and Showfield registration is available online through Monday, July 8, and in person thereafter.  To learn more and make plans to attend, visit CarlisleEvents.com or call 717-243-7855 today.