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York's Musclecar Madness revs up one last time


If you go

What: Musclecar Madness

When: 1 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 10 and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, July 11.

Where: York Expo Center, 334 Carlisle Ave., York. Drag racing for the York Nostalgia Nationals at Beaver Springs Dragway is 8 a.m. Sunday, July 12.

Admission: $15 for adults, free for children 12 and younger

Proceeds benefit: York County SPCA and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing

For more info: Visit www.yorknostalgia.com .

On Aug. 7, 1965, more than 20,000 people traveled to York's U.S. 30 Dragway for the first Super Stock Nationals.

Now known as the "Woodstock of Drag Racing," the event was the largest one-day drag-racing event in the country, which lasted until 3 a.m. Aug. 8.

Fifty years later, some of those racing legends who made a name for themselves on York's track will return this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the race at Musclecar Madness, a reunion event for the York U.S. 30 Dragway.

"We have a lot of people that come to York every year for the reunion that raced at York and remember the track," Musclecar Madness organizer Darwin Doll said.

Though the track has been closed for 36 years, it has been celebrated every summer for the last 14 years for being one of the most prominent and innovative drag racing tracks in the country.

"York was always the leader when it came to bringing new events to drag racing," Doll said.

York's U.S. 30 Dragway was the first drag-racing facility to run four-lane drags, he said. And now, four-lane drags have become a national event.

About 5,000 people are expected to attend this year's Musclecar Madness held July 10 and 11 at the York Expo Center. The event features more than 500 cars on display as well as appearances from about 30 racing legends and 35 legendary race cars.

"This event has the most legends of drag racing and legendary race cars at one event at one time, and we have been noted for that for years," Doll said.

About 12 legends, including the original Super Stock Nationals announcer Jon Lundberg and Super Stock Nationals winner Bob Harrop, will speak at a round table discussion about the race at 2 p.m. Saturday.

The event also features a Junior Stock Reunion of about 20 cars that will later race at Beaver Springs Dragway in Snyder County on Sunday, a children's Make & Take model building contest, and trips to the original site of the York U.S. 30 Dragway and the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs.

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of Super Stock Nationals, organizers will set up a display of race cars and memorabilia in one of the hangars at York Airport in Thomasville, the former site of the U.S. 30 Dragway, Doll said. Items, including the original pit board from the track and historic photos, will be on display from 1 to 4 p.m. Friday and noon to 4 p.m. Saturday.

This display is free for Musclecar Madness attendees or $10 for non-attendees.

Guests can also take a free shuttle from the York Expo Center to the Eastern Museum of Motor Racing in York Springs at 2 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.

When the event closes at 7 p.m. Saturday, it could be the last time that a Musclecar Madness reunion is held in York, Doll said. He has decided to retire after this year, but said he hopes a younger group will continue the event.

"I really hate to see it end," he said, but added that he thinks it will go out on a high note with the 50th anniversary celebration.

Previously reported

14th Annual Musclecar Madness will be the last at the York Reunion

Read last year's preview of the event