Northern Michigan Dragway hosts 27th annual Mopars Against the World

Kyle Wanamaker of Plainwell raced his 1979 Plymouth Volare to two final rounds over the weekend, with the 2nd final paying him $10,000.

Northern Michigan Dragway’s 27th annual Mopars Against the World took place this past weekend with four days of competition.  With 879 total entries, the Mopar racers enjoyed a come-from-behind 175-166 victory.

It was in Saturday night’s main event $10,000 to win Bracket II race, where Mopar racers gained the most points.  Of the final six competitors, four were Mopar drivers.   Three of them advanced to the semi-finals, where Shannon Hippenhammer of LaGrange, Indiana finished his night for a $1,000 payday in his Plymouth Duster.

In the $10K final, a nice storyline developed.  Third-generation Mopar racer Joe Whitaker of Sumner had his sights set on the $10K, driving his grandfather’s Dodge Daytona.   Kyle Wanamaker of Plainwell was racing his ’79 Plymouth Volare that he purchased in 2010 and has raced since that spring.   As Wanamaker said “I haven’t had to touch the transmission in that car in the 14 years I’ve had it.”  The race was truly a toss-up at the finish-line, and a double-breakout determined the outcome.  The Volare was one of the slowest dozen-or-so cars in the 172-entry field, but after 9 rounds of luck and skill, it provided a $10,000 victory for its driver, Wanamaker.  Whitaker settled for a nice $3,000 payday for runner-up.  It was announced after Wanamaker’s win, “This was a win for all the ‘little guys’ in bracket racing.  Wanamaker again proved that you don’t have to have the big, expensive operation or fastest car to be competitive in the sport.”  

For more information, including a full 2024 season schedule and points standings, see NorthernMichiganDragway.com, NMD social media pages, or call (231)218-2657.

Complete Results from the 27th Annual Mopars Against the World

879 total entries

Wednesday, July 24

STREET TROPHY

Win: Buck Schmidt, Brethren, Pontiac Firebird

R-up: Kyle Wanamaker, Plainwell, Plymouth Volare
Semi: Kory Thompson, Mesick, Dodge Charger

ADVANCED JUNIOR

Win: Cole Bigelow, Manton

R-up: Henry Jenkins, Coleman

Semi: Ann Cerka, Free Soil and Cy Kosmowski, Manistee

MINI JUNIOR

Win: Skyler Randall, Bear Lake
R-up: Lily Eckert, Cadillac

Semi: Damon Emerson, Manistee

RUN FOR THE MONEY
Win: Russ Cavanaugh, Suttons Bay, Chevy Camaro

R-up: Ken Bigelow, Cadillac, Chevy S-10

Thursday, July 25

PRO TROPHY
$1,000 Win:  Jeremy Loose, Gladwin, Chevy El Camino

R-up:  Donnie Heinzer, Manistee, Chevy Camaro

Semi: Jim Evans, Benzonia, Buick Skylark

STREET TROPHY

Win: Kim Crawford, Kingsley, Chevy Camaro

R-up: Jake Wiederhold, Kingsley, Ford Mustang

Semi: Gabe Young, LeRoy, GMC Denali

ADVANCED JUNIOR

Win: Cole Bigelow, Manton

R-up: Isaac Mikus, Bear Lake

Semi: Emerson Green and Rylee Green, Fostoria

MINI JUNIOR

Win: Max Jenkins, Coleman

R-up: Rayce Girven, Brethren

Semi: Skyler Randall, Bear Lake

Friday, July 26

BRACKET I

$2,000 Win: Mark Daniels, South Boardman, GMC S-15

R-up: Chris Gee, Bear Lake, Chevy Beretta

Semi: Kyle Yacko, Trenton and Jim Ribble, Lapeer

BRACKET II

$2,000 Win: Mark Daniels, South Boardman, Chevy Camaro

R-up: Perry Daniels, South Boardman, GMC S-15

Semi: Rob Loney, Kaleva, Chevy Nova

PRO TROPHY

$1,000 Win: Donnie Heinzer, Manistee, Chevy Camaro

R-up: David Evans, Benzonia, Chevy Monte Carlo

Semi: Allie Wiederhold, Kingsley, Ford Thunderbird

Saturday, July 27

TOP DOORSLAMMER

$3,000 Win:  Dylan Brow, Belmont, Chevy Corvette

R-up: Tim Heiges, Traverse City, Chevy Corvette

Semi: Dru Williams, Manton, Chevy Nova

TOP DOORSLAMMER CONSOLATION

Win: Chuck Marlatt, Bailey, Chevy Camaro

R-up: Jason Helsel, Manton, Chevy Nova

Semi: Raymond Emmons, Sterling Hts, Chevy S-10

BRACKET I

$6,000 Win:  Kyle Yacko, Trenton, Dodge Daytona

R-up: Parker Cesaro, East Jordan, Chevy S-10

Semi: Patrick Boris, East Jordan, Dragster

BRACKET II

$10,000 Win: Kyle Wanamaker, Plainwell, Plymouth Volare

R-up: Joe Whitaker, Sumner, Dodge Daytona

Semi: Shannon Hippenhammer, LaGrange, IN, Plymouth Duster

RUN FOR THE MONEY

$632 Win:  Jason Jenkins, Coleman, Ford Mustang

$316 R-up: Anthony DeMarco, Clinton Twp., Ford Mustang

GAMBLERS
Win:  Randy Whitaker, Jr., St. Johns, Plymouth Duster

R-up: Bob Kelly, Grand Rapids, Dragster

Semis: Melissa Wood, Manistee and Carl Simpson, Free Soil