The "Mopar Mafia" at Brainerd Optimist drag strip

I met the "Mopar Mafia" quite by accident today. Here is the story: I met the Meridith family at a car show in late 1985. This was my first exposure to a "Mopar" family. Over the years, we attended many car shows, built many Mopars (including building a blown 354 HEMI for "Dad's" roadster). Last year Rick, (the middle brother) was diagnosed with cancer. The family always believed in the superiority of the Mopar brand in drag racing. Rick, was the "driver" of the family. So the "family" bought a drag car for Rick to drive! They chose me (of all people), to be "crew chief" (advisor). Our first outing produced a 7.02-7.05 ET at the Brainerd Optimist 1/8 mile drag strip here in Chattanooga. I was quite happy but they wanted more.
So here is the saga of the hunt for a 6 second time slip.

As you can see the the above photo, they come prepared, All of them! Three generations of the "Mopar family" came to watch. Now all of you racers know what happens next, right?

Everything LOOKS good doesn't it? Meanwhile, I am looking around and there are Mopar racers EVERY WHERE! I am soon introduced to the "Mopar Mafia".

Did you notice the "Vietnam Veterans" badge? There are more.

Come to find out, these guys DOMINATE my local drag strip, most wins per capita, most money earned per capita, etc.

They have been the "Mopar Mafia" for over 10 years. And they didn't give a @$&^ about how many "car show" trophies I had won! So back to the racing, our 7.0 car ran a 7.81, then a 8.23! The "first family" is looking at ME to solve the problem!

On the way back to the pits, I am racking my brain, "what has changed"? Then I remember, they took the carb off to fix a leak. Now racer or not, I have learned to look for "what changed" since the last track day. It occurs to me, I was not there for this event. I wonder "did they check for wide open throttle after re installing the carb? I get back to the pits, and no, we only have 1/2 throttle opening! Car show geeck or no, I adjust the cable/bracket so that we have full throttle.

Back to the line we go. The 60' is back but the car refuses to engage 2d gear. We are done for the day. The "saga" continues.