Established April, 1988 easttennesseemopars.com etmcarclub@gmail.com Club meeting: The May meeting will be at the Steak n-shake on Emory Rd. and I-75. Eat at 6:30pm. Meeting to follow in the parking lot. Bring a lawn chair. The June meeting will be held at Chilhowee Park - the Midway Side. Enter the park from the Beaman Street gate. Meeting at 7:00pm Inside this issue Volume 31 Issue 05/06 ETM Update By Judy Holman May & June 2018 I-40/I-75 south will be the stage for an ETM caravan next Saturday, May 12. Members attending the MoParty Picnic and would like to caravan down that Saturday morning, will meet at West Town Mall (the parking lot next to Dillards) at 7:30am. Traveling south we will make a pit stop at the rest area on I-75. Meet us along the way and join in. The car show on Saturday will be held at Camp Jordan, East Ridge, TN. Registration is $10, lunch is $10 per person (BBQ is on the menu), public parking is $5. Everyone attending is asked to bring a dessert for the dessert table. ETM is again a sponsor for this wonderful event. Let me know if you plan on attending - email or phone to caravan and to be able to park together at the show. Be sure to go the www.mopartypicnic.com and register for the show/lunch, general admission, and general parking. Birthday s 3 Officers & Bd 3 Calendar of Events Mopar Businesses & For Sale Items A Bolt Out of the Blue 4 5 6 In this newsletter is an article about former club member and friend to many, Norman Chesney. Written by Rev. Mopar, I hope it answers the questions about why we award, at our car show, the Norman Chesney Memorial Award. Norman was all about Mopar and what it could do. I considered Norman a friend. He gave me several racing tips when I raced our 1967 Dodge Coronet, and I won! Also when I had a question about parts or was looking for that part, he was there to help. He was a giant of a man with a heart to match. This Saturday, May 5 is a cruise in at Floyd s Antiques, 5711 Western Ave., Knoxville. It goes from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Plenty of parking and food on site. This is presented by Thunder Road - Tennessee. Mike and I will be attending driving a new and an old Mopar Muscle machine. Club Application 8 The events page has been updated and WOW! The car show/cruise in season is now in full swing. Mark your calendars, shine your Mopar, and attend. Hope to see you at a meeting, event, or show. Judy
Page 2 30th Annual Fun In The Sun - Car Show Update Our 30th Annual Fun in the Sun all Mopar Car Show is shaping up to be a fantastic show. Preregistrations are up, sponsorships are stilling coming in, Chilhowee Park is placing our information on all of their social media outlets, and flyers are showing up at shows and cruise in s. The word is getting out because of YOU! Thank you. Let s keep it going. The t-shirt design for this year won t be ready for another week, so there will be a car show committee meeting planned for May 10 at the Shoney s on Walker Springs Road at 7:00pm. This meeting is opened to all members. We will review and discuss the t-shirt design and make any necessary changes. Your input is important. Please let me know if you will be attending. Here are some important dates to remember: May10 - Car Show Committee Meeting - T-shirt design. Review and discuss. Meet at Shoney s on Walker Springs Road at 7:00pm June 7 - Regular ETM monthly meeting at Chilhowee Park. Review the layout and make any changes. This is an important meeting. These plans will be given to Chilhowee Park to help with day of show set up. All sponsorship monies are due at this meeting. June 19 - Day of Show workers meeting. All members working the show will need to attend this meeting. We will do a dry run of the layout and set up. Review all job responsibilities. Any door prizes or goodie bag items are due at this meeting. Remember to get a business card so that this company can be recognized as a sponsor. June 23 - CAR SHOW!!!! Set up begins at 6:30am. Remember to wear your ETM shirt. Enter through the Beaman Street gate. Mopar Muscle is a monthly newsletter published for and about the East Tennessee Mopars Car Club, P.O. Box 51401, Knoxville, TN. 37950. A non-profit group organized by enthusiasts of Chrysler built motor vehicles. Mopars is a registered trademark of Chrysler Motor Corporation, and the variation used by the East Tennessee Mopars is with permission.
Page 3 ETM Officers, Directors, and Board Members President Judy Holman (865)-691-6002 Vice President Joe David Stansberry (865)-922-7129 Secretary Darlene Turley (865)-828-4060 Treasurer Mike Holman (865)-691-6002 Membership Director Ken Robbins (561)-312-8648 Car Show Director Judy Holman (865)-691-6002 Board Member John Foster (865)-898-0558 Jim Hill (865)-690-5313 Danny Turley (865)-828-4060 Newsletter Editor Judy Holman (865)-691-6002 etmcarclub@gmail.com REMINDER Check your address label for your membership expiration date. Send your updated membership application and money to: Ken Robbins Membership Director ETM P.O. Box 51401 Knoxville, TN 37950 Make checks payable to ETM Welcome these new members to the East Tennessee Mopars Car Club Joseph & Terry Frazier, proud owners of a 15 Challenger and several more Mopars Scott & Jami Wilson, proud owners of a 70 Challenger and several more Mopars Welcome back these members who renewed their membership Bill & Deanie Johnson Happy Birthday to these club members May & June Paul Arnwine Bill Johnson Ella Tallman Joe David Stansberry Lexus Beal Reiley Wilson Karen Burtner David Derreberry Van Dugger Lisa Gibbs Vanessa Robbins Aubrey Wilson
Page 4 ETM EVENTS/CAR SHOWS FOR 2018 (calendar will show 3 months in advance (space permitting) any meetings/events for ETM members) Regular ETM monthly meeting to be held at the Steak n Shake. Emory Rd. at I-75. Eat at 6:30. Meet at 7:00. Bring a lawn chair. We will meet in the parking lot after dinner. Street Rod Nationals @ Chilhowee Park, Knoxville, TN **Cruise In at Floyd s Antiques, 5711 Western Ave., Knoxville. It goes from 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Plenty of parking and food on site. ETM members wanting to at- please let Judy know ASAP so parking spaces can be reserved. Presented by Thunder Roads - Tennessee. Mopar Car Show - Piedmont Mopar club, Farmington, NC. Piedmontmopar.com **MoParty Picnic: Check out the website: www.mopartypicnic.com. I will also have flyers at next months meeting. May 3 (Thurs) May 4-6 May 5 (Sat) tend, May 12 (Sat) May 12 (Sat) June 1 June 7 (Thurs) June 9 (Sat) June 15-16 June 16 (Sat) June 19 (Tues) June 23 (Sat) July 5 (Thurs) July 7 July 13-15 July 15 (Sun) July 28 (Sat) Aug. 25 (Sat) Silver Dollar Rod Run, Sevierville, TN Regular ETM monthly meeting to be held at Chilhowee Park Mid-Way Side. Enter the park through the Beaman Street gate. 7:00pm. Mt. Harmony Baptist Church car show. Strawberry Plains TN Moonshine Rod Run, Newport, TN Tennessee Valley Mopar Club 20th Anniversary show & go at Huntsville Dragway Info: tvmoparclub.com, Bob @256-655-3644 ETM Day of Show workers meeting. Chilhowee Park at 7:00pm. 30th Annual Fun In The Sun All Mopar Car Show. Chilhowee Park - Midway Side. More Info: Judy at 865-691-6002, or etmcarclub@gmail.com, www.easttennesseemopars.com Presented by the East Tennessee Mopars Regular ETM monthly meeting - place to be determined Mossy Creek Cruzers Car Show, Jefferson City, TN Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, Carlisle, PA Coffee and Cars at West Town Mall 8-11am (be there early!) Karns Fair and Car Show (also parade). Karns High School. More info to follow. East Tennessee Mopars 30th Birthday Party. More info to follow. Mark the date and join us. Open to current and past members and anyone who ahs Mopar running through their veins! **ETM Members will be in attendance Future Shows/Cruise in s Coffee and Cars at West Town Mall - Oct 28 Music City Mopar Car & Truck Show - Sept. 22
Page 5 Recommended Mopar friendly businesses. There are several 100% gas stations in and around the Knoxville area. Several are changing their premium grade to a mid grade of 90 octane. The Weigel s Station on the corner of Western Ave. and Cumberland Estates has 100% gas with 87, 89, and 93 octane. Atkins & Son Transmission, 4001 Rutledge Pike, Knoxville, TN (865) 524-3059 Advance Auto Parts - Knox County, Oak Ridge, Seymour NAPA Auto Parts - Magnolia Ave. Knoxville Atomic Speed Shop is owned by club member Robert Elwood. His specialty is Mopar! Give him a call for your Mopar needs. Looking for that Mopar part, give club members Ted and Jackie a call at Stephens Performance. All they do is MOPAR! Stephens Performance For All Your Mopar Needs 9321 Hwy 207, Anderson, AL (256) 247-1332 Call and ask for Ted or Jackie Premier Mopar Engine Shop, High End B-Body Restorations Quick Turnaround No Deposit 10% Off Labor for ETM members Super Flow SF-502 Engine Dyno 865-272-3619 114 Union Valley Rd, Oak Ridge TN, For Sale/Want Ads For Sale: 1972 Plymouth Cuda Gas Tank, bought new and had powder coated black, a few imperfections. Complete with sending unit. $100 Call John Foster (865) 898-0558 John.foster@yahoo.com 1970 74 Cuda Rear Valance. $90. Call John Foster (865) 898-0558. John.foster@yahoo.com
Page 6 A Bolt From Out of the Blue By Rev. Mopar There was a two year stretch when the MOPAR Nationals were held in Indianapolis at what was then known as Raceway Park. The typical moaning and groaning was heard all over the MOPAR world, it seemed that moving away from Columbus was an act of sheer stupidity. Although Indy is much better equipped to handle crowds than Columbus, the police in the little town of Speedway made most of the racers feel quite unwelcome and this aspect alone probably led to the return to Columbus two years later. We all know that the MOPAR Nationals draws the most incredible examples of our brand and even though the venue had shifted to Indy, the car amount was enormous. We made the trip up from Nashville and upon entering, spotted a familiar car hauler carrying a faded out old 1970 Barracuda. It had to be our dear friend Norman Chesney. We quickly secured our pit position and secured our rig so we could go over and meet with Norman. At that first year event, cars were pitted according to the class they entered in so we had a bit of a hike when we wanted to visit Norman. The sad looking Barracuda sat in the midst of some really stellar cars, all set to race for the big prize. People were gathering around all the cars, all that is except Norman s, and were telling tales of exploits on the track and how they always judged well in the race car class at local and regional shows. No one even spoke to big Norm nor appeared to care about the car he bought. Beyond the indignity of this, no one recognized Norman at all, even though by this time he was a two time IHRA World Champion. Donna and I both knew that Norman was mulling all this over in his mind and heart. Being the friendly kind of guy he was, he probably hoped that he could strike up some friendships and have a reasonably good time. That was not to be. With the exception of a few folks from East Tennessee area who ventured out to the Nationals, Norman was isolated and since we were in the fastest class we were unable to spend a lot of time with him. When eliminations began we were able to watch however. Norman s first round opponent was acting pretty cocky in the staging lanes, probably thinking that the Barracuda with the dead orange/red paint and a driver that was a bit slovenly dressed were here on a lark. Needless to day, he was dispatched with ease by Norman as he killed him on the tree and was able to hit the brakes at the end. One down. Second round there was still no recognition from the tower regarding who Norman was or the fact that he won the first round. He lined up again, beat his opponent at the tree and at the finish and he was on to round three. Oddly enough, this scenario would play out for the next three rounds. The race was down to three cars and due to his performance, Norman got the bye round into the finals. When he made his bye run he did just as he would in a race. Killed the tree and held it all the way out. Now he knew what he had to dial for the finals. It was in this semi final round that the announcer had finally caught up on his research and sounded like he was shocked that someone with Norman s credentials would have such a raggedy car. He did note that it was consistent. The final round came and pitted against Norman was another name racer who had been mentioned every time his car appeared. Memory fails me as to exactly who it was, but there was always a big ballyhoo when he pulled into the line. I do remember the car though, it was a beautiful plum crazy Challenger R/T. Much to our glee, the final round proved to be a lesson to everyone there. Leaving first due to the large handicap, Norman knew he would have a clean light. True to form, he demolished the tree and ran well enough to shine his brake lights in the face of his opponent. Norman had won the event. The cars and drivers from the other three classes were all photographed and interviewed by Mopar Action, Mopar Muscle, and Mopar Collectors Guide, but no one came to Norman, no one took a picture of his ugly car, no one indicated much interest in the GIANT of a competitor who was in their midst. The coverage in the magazines did state his name for the record as the winner and that was all. Norman would never go back to another Nationals, he quietly collected his winnings and drove home. Like a bolt from out of the blue in 1992, Norman Chesney won the MOPAR Nationals. This is just one reason why Rev. Mopar Racing sponsors the Norman Chesney Memorial Award. Another reason beyond our deep friendship is that Norman understood the key to success was to trust MOPAR.
Page 7 Editor s Notes By Judy Holman This newsletter covers the months of May and June because of our car show. Please keep the Calendar of Events page handy for important dates. Another thank you to club member David Rev. Mopar Koopman for the terrific article on Norman Chesney. A big thank you to all the members who send in show/cruise in information. Keep it coming! If you attended a show /cruise in we would love to hear about it. Just send in the information and a picture or 2. Sending everything by e-mail is the best way. Club Wearables - car show season is ending but Christmas is right around the corner and wouldn t you look good wearing a shirt or jacket with your name and the club logo on it? Please note that once your order is placed, it will take about 3 weeks to get your items. Place your order at any regular club meeting. All items must be paid for at time of ordering. Club baseball hat: $8 (ETM logo is embroidered on the front) Club Polo shirts: S - XL are $22 each Club Polo shirts: XXL - XXXL are $24 each Club Jacket, black satin: S - XL are $60 each Club Jacket, black satin: XXL - XXXL are $62 each Club Sweatshirts (hoodies): S - XL are $26 each Club Sweatshirts (hoodies): XXL - XXXL are $28 each These are embroidered shirts and jackets with the ETM logo and your name. See Judy to place your order. Order now for car show season! *This is a reminder to all club members, when renewing your membership, please fill out a club application and send it with your money. Check your address label for your renewal date. For the club members who receive their newsletter via e-mail, Ken Robbins, the club Membership Director, will remind you of your renewal date. This helps to keep our records accurate. *If you know of a local car show or cruise in or receive a flyer from a Mopar show, let me know. Let s spread the word about a great family outing - a car show!
Membership Expires EAST TENNESSEE MOPARS P.O. Box 51401 Knoxville, TN 37950 etmcarclub@gmail.com easttennesseeemopars.com OFFICIAL MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION (checked when received) Club T-Shirts: Name Spouse Children Date of Birth Date of Birth Date of Birth Address City State Zip Home Phone Cell Phone E-Mail Address I Currently Own the Following Automobiles 1. 4. 2. 5. 3. 6. If you need additional space write on the back My favorite type of car event/activities are: I would like to receive the club newsletter by (circle one): e-mail regular mail LIABILITY RELEASE (please read and sign) 1. I, the undersigned, hereby release the officers and members of the club known as the EAST TENNESSEE MOPARS from any liability for damage, theft, loss of life, or accident related to club activities. 2. I agree to abide by the by-laws of the club. 3. Annual dues $20.00 (family membership) SIGNED: DATE: