2008 Event

We are very pleased to announce that this year's guest of honor is Mr. Tom Hoover. Mr. Hoover is known as the 'Godfather' of the Chrysler 426 Hemi. Mr. Hoover was the Chief Engineer and Manager of the Drag Race Programs at Chrysler from 1957-1979. Mr. Hoover started with Chrysler in 1955. Here is your once in a lifetime opportunity to meet the man who was the architect of all the incredible designs, and innovations that are time tested and proven to dominate some 40 years later. Mr. Hoover was coined as an 'Engineering Genius/Soul' of the Chrysler racing program by Car and Driver Magazine. Other achievements include the 'Ollie' award from Petersen Publishing as major technology contributor to Drag Racing, Lifetime Achievement Award from Advanced Engine Technology Conference, Lead Chrysler engine race seminar speaker as well as hosted car long-lead Chrysler press preview for 15 years. Please join as we welcome 'The Godfather' of the Chrysler 426 Hemi, to Mopars at the Strip and Fabulous Las Vegas.

As if having Mr. Hoover attend wasn't cool enough by its self. We are also very pleased to inform you that not only will we have 'The Godfather of the Chrysler 426 Hemi on hand. But we will also be celebrating a very cool milestone in both Chrysler and Drag Racing history. 2008 marks the 40^th anniversary of very special project at Chrysler under the direction of Mr. Hoover and his colleagues. It is 40 years ago this year that the 50 Factory 68 Hemi Super Stock Cuda's and Darts, came rolling out off the assemble line with their grey bodies, and black race prepped front ends. Indeed these were special cars, they hit the race track in 68 under the watchful eyes of Mr. Hoover and to this date are simply the most feared Factory Super Stock's to ever be produced.

To celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Hemi Super Stock Darts and Cuda's, Mopars at the Strip will again host a Mopar Hemi Super Stock Challenge as part of the prestigious Mopar Hemi Super Stock Challenge series. If you weren't here in 2007 make your plans today, and if you were fortunate enough to witness the wheels up action from 2007, then bring a friend and your camera to document this once in a lifetime opportunity. Mr. Hoover will be on hand to share with you over 40 years of Mopar and Hemi Super Stock racing history from' The Godfather of Chrysler's 426 Hemi'. (Watch the web-site for additional announcements concerning the Mopar Hemi Super Stock Challenge Series).

As many of you are aware Dodge has treated Mopars at the Strip attendee's to two opportunities to see the New Challenger. In 2006 the Orange concept car was unveiled at the event, and in 2007, David Hakim from Mopar was testing the new Challenger race car as he was putting the black Challenger through numerous test runs at the strip at Las Vegas Motor speedway at last years event. Well I have another little surprise. Recently I was able to attend the Chrysler Dealers New Car Announcement Show here in Las Vegas with my Father, and one of the cars that were unveiled was the New SRT Challenger. As the anticipation grew in the crowd, you could see the goose bumps starting to appear on the dealers arms, you could also feel the energy in the air. As they showed us a promotional video on the car, I wondered if the dealers would get it. As the video proceeded, it showed a guy in a 70 a purple Challenger with a shaker hood waiting at a stop light while 70's era music was playing, and up pulls a New SRT Challenger, the guy in the 70 Challenger grabs the steering wheel tighter and puts his right hand on the pistol grip shifter in anticipation of street fight. Suddenly the light turns green and the New SRT Challenger annihilates the rear tires to the music of Audioslave and the New Challenger is gone, as the camera comes back to the guy in the 70 Challenger he has a grin on his face as wide as a as a Challenger grille. The crowd of Dealers let out a roar of applause that confirmed their approval of next Challenger from Dodge. By the time you read this article, the official launch date of the New Challenger should be near. Take it from a guy that has owned a few Challengers and Cuda's, I am happy to inform you that the wait is over, and you will not be disappointed. The New Challenger is simply freaken awesome. The Car has great lines, and sounds and looks like a real Muscle Car should. Again watch for more Challenger announcements at www.moparsatthestrip.com

As may of you know the New Challenger will be outfitted with the new 6.1 Hemi. Just as reference point on how great this new motor is. Indy Cylinder Head has prepared a race version of the 6.1 Hemi that you can drive to gas station and put pumped gas in, and then drive it back to the track and bracket race the motor. Indy's motor is setting in a short wheel dragster. The car will be on display at this year's event, as well as competing in the race portion of the event. The little dragster runs in the mid 8 seconds on pumped gas. That's right pumped gas. How much of this technology will spill over to the 6.1 in your new Hemi Challenger. Chances are very good that you will have plenty of options to make your new Challenger just the way you want it. You can bet that both Mopar and the aftermarket will have plenty of choices for you to individualize the New Challenger. Mopar Enthusiast get ready for the hobby to be a buzz with all the opportunities this new Challenger will bring to the mopar world. It is truly and exciting time for all.. We look forward to the first participant to attend with a New Challenger and compete in the 5.7 & 6.1 'New Hemi Challenge class'', this class is open to all vehicles with these new motor combinations such as Trucks, Magnums, Chargers and 300 C etc.

The concert at the Cannery this year (March 29^th), will feature CHUCK NEGRON FORMERLY OF THREE DOG NIGHT. Activities at the Cannery on Friday and Saturday Night will once again include the 'Mopar Muscle sponsored Quarter Mile of Mopars'. (This opportunity is for the first 66 vehicles each night. If you would like to participate, be at the Cannery no later than 5:00 p: m on either Night).

Mopar Muscle will once again offer their prestigious 'True Street Challenge'. This is a great opportunity to have your Mopar grace the pages of Mopar Muscle. (Entry forms must be accompanied with photo's of your car. Entry deadline is March 14^h 2008)

Dave McClelland of Hot Rod TV coined the event as 'Everything Mopar'. Mopars at the Strip truly has more to do and see than any other Mopar event in the country. The event features the following events for the mopar enthusiasts. All mopar auction, some of the fastest drag racing action anywhere, all mopar swap meet, manufacturers midway featuring some of the premier vendors in the hobby, Dodge Truck Diesel Dyno competition, Jeep off road poker run that combines the fun of off road trail riding in some of the most scenic area in the southwest, Mammoth Car Show, with classes for judged, popular choice and a fun field for those that just want to drive their mopar to the event. MoPower Cruise to the Strip that starts in Grand Junction Col, Salt Lake City, Ut, Phoenix Az, Glendora Ca, all of the cruise end up in Las Vegas on Thursday at a welcome party held at the Canner. Many of the participants that have taken advantage of these cruise opportunities have told me that the MoPower Cruise to the Strip is one of the most enjoyable things they have ever done in their car. All of this mopar fun combined with the fact that it all happens in one of the most user friendly city in the world, Las Vegas and you have a recipe for a great time for everyone that attends Mopars at the Strip. Mopars at the Strip is also holding a drawing that supports three local children's charities, Southern Nevada Fire Fighters Burn Foundation, Ronald McDonald House Charities and Speedway Children’s Charities. This years Charity Give away car is a real H code 70 Lemon Twist 340 Duster. Tickets are $20.00 and available at the event, or line at www.moparsatthestrip.com on the secure online store. Winner need not be present to win.

We want recognize Surf City Garage as the 2008 Title Sponsor of Mopars at the Strip. We also thank those instrumental companies that have supported us since the beginning. Namely R/T Specialties, Indy Cylinder Head, tti Exhaust, Painter Dodge, Extreme Sportswear, Cannery Hotel and Casino. Jerry's Nugget, Flowmaster, and all of the other sponsors for their continued sponsorships.

In closing we again want to thank everyone for their support of Mopars at the Strip. It is your support and passion that have been the driving force behind this event’s success

Without U, there is no Us.

With that said, start packing your bag, Destination, Fabulous Las Vegas. We Welcome all Mopar Enthusiast to "The Wildest Mopar party in the West".

The Painter Family
JP Motorsports