The rules are simple: The cars must retain the period correct appearance. The class runs weight breaks as the cars did in NHRA trim prior to the 1982 “Mountain Motor” age. The weight breaks, Johnson says, are a guideline for the competitors, so the they can police themselves, avoiding a cumbersome rulebook.

Competitors are allowed some technology in the cars, but it must remain hidden from sight. Electronic shocks and automatics with trans brakes are allowed for ease of maintenance and to minimize turnaround time for the car.  

The show itself is usually either a four- or eight-car field. The cars are generally paired up according to how period correct they are. Most cars run in the middle to high eight-second zone. Good burnouts and side-by-side racing is what Johnson is looking for from his racers.

As far as the racers themselves go, there are tribute cars to Reher-Morrison and Shepard, Warren Johnson, Grumpy Jenkins, the “Mopar Missile,” Sox and Martin (One Duster and one Colt), plus many more. (Speaking of the Dodge Colts, for those of you who weren’t born in the 1960s or 1970s, the Colt had a wheelbase of about 80 inches and then teams would shoehorn a Hemi into the engine bay. If the car went straight, it would scream. However they could be very unpredictable as a few drivers found out. If nothing else, they were tremendously exciting to watch.) These clone or tribute cars are very close to the original things. With more and older Pro Stock stars giving their blessing to tribute cars, it will be interesting to see what the future holds.

When asked about the Nostalgia Pro Stocks running one of the bigger nostalgia events that include Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars, Johnson said that, while there have been discussions with the powers-that-be about such a thing, nothing official has come of it yet.

They will, however, be at Bowling Green for the Hot Rod Reunion, so if you’re in the area, take the time and go check them out.

It would be something very special to see all three Pro categories in one place and truly make for a complete nostalgia show opinion.

To learn more about the NNPSA, check out their website, at www.jeffjohnsonmotorsports.com/drag_racing.php or on Facebook at Chrysler Power Classic.