For those who don ’ t know , Don Carlton was a Pro Stock driver in AHRA , IHRA and NHRA and a test driver for Dodge , who died in a testing accident in Milan , Michigan , in July 1977 . Carlton was a very skillful and popular driver of the ‘ 70s and one of the most feared competitors of his time . This race was created by Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock founder Jeff Rudisill of Lenoir , North Carolina , for his hometown hero . Rudisill resides a quarter-mile away from Carlton ’ s old shop , where Donnie Carlton Jr . now has his own successful business .

Each year , attending this race is like stepping back in time . There is always an amazing selection of Nostalgia Pro Stock cars from all over the country and this year was no exception . A total of 18 cars came from Georgia , Alabama , Pennsylvania , Wisconsin and everywhere in between . The turnout included representatives from three Nostalgia Pro Stock groups : the Southeast Nostalgia Pro Stock ( SNPS ) Association , the Legends Nostalgia Pro Stock group , and the Midwest Nostalgia Pro Stock Association .

For the first time in Nostalgia Pro Stock history , there were five Bob Glidden cars represented at one race . This was an awesome tribute to the man himself and shows how much he inspired

other racers . These cars included Mark Johnson ’ s original ’ 88 Motorcraft Ford Thunderbird , Keith Bronson ’ s tribute to the ’ 87 Motorcraft Ford Thunderbird , Gary Varney ’ s tribute to the ’ 84 Chief Auto Parts Ford Thunderbird , Mike Ruth ’ s tribute to the ’ 79 Ford Fairmont , and Larry and Clinton Snead ’ s tribute to the ’ 82 Ford EXP .

Each year to honor the memory of Carlton , a different original Don Carlton car is brought in to be displayed . The highlight of this year ’ s event was the original “ Motown Missile ” Barracuda . This car was meticulously restored by George Paul from Mississippi . Credit goes out to Teresa Merritt , Mark Williamson and McGrath Keen

for getting the car there for all to see .

This year ’ s event saw a change in format for the 5-second cars that participate . Instead of pairing from a ladder and each pair running the best two out of three , the drivers decided they wanted to have a little fun by pairing themselves in a way that everyone ran everyone . This produced quite a bit of excitement for both drivers and fans , and it gave the photographers lots of unique photo opportunities .

The 4-second cars ran an actual race with Terry Adams of Millers Creek , North Carolina , in his original Frank Iaconio Oldsmobile coming out on top . Representing the Legends Nostalgia Pro

PHOTOGRAPHS BY VAN ABERNETHY