Swarms of Stunning NMCA Muscle Machines Competed for Honors at Summit Motorsports Park
By Steve Turner
Photography by Dr. Rudy Rouweyha
It is a highlight on the calendar as the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals Series rolls into Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Not only is it a signal that the season is headed toward the finish line and the championship chase is tightening, but it also means competition at a top-notch facility. And let’s not forget the $1 ice cream.
And what better way to enjoy some delicious ice cream between rounds of drag racing than to peruse the rows of gorgeous muscle machines in the car show? The variety and quality of the vehicles on the display wowed the crowds and challenged the judges to select the weekend winners. Here we hit the highlights of the show, but be sure to check out the full gallery of car show images over at NMCADigital.com.
Best of Show
While the competition was fierce, Dan Lettshek’s 1934 Ford took the Best of Show crown. Sporting a small-block breathing through stack induction, the roadster is as potent as it is pretty. That beauty is more than sheet metal deep, as its interior is pristine. It rides on brilliant billet wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber, and it must be a blast to drive with the tunes turned up and the wind blowing.
Any Yenko Camaro is going to stand out from the crowd, but this stunning example looks like it just rolled off the assembly line and its orange paint stands out from a quarter mile away. Owned by Joe Barr, this 1969 example rumbled away with the
Best GM Muscle award.
Lots of classic Mustangs are stock, but Chuck Sutz’s 1966 Mustang convertible features a few choice performance upgrades and looks the part of a period-correct pony car. It hauled away the Best Ford Muscle award at the 21st Annual NMCA All-American Nationals Presented by Sick the Mag.
Orange rides ruled in Norwalk, and that theme continued with the Best Chrysler Muscle category. George Conrad’s 1970 Plymouth Cuda is a super sanitary stunner and it took home the top Mopar honors.
Not only is Gary Larkin’s 1969 Camaro a gorgeous machine, but its owner knows how to put together an eye-catching show display. Powered by an 826-horsepower, 540-cube big-block built by Vinson Racing Engines, this classic Camaro earned the Director’s Choice Modified award.
Special thanks to the Northcoast Mustang and Ford club for hosting the car show at Summit Motorsports Park.
As the competition wound down on Saturday and Sunday, the winners gathered to collect their hardware before heading home from a successful event.
2022 NMCA Norwalk Car Show Winners List
SATURDAY CAR SHOW AWARDS
Special Recognition Awards:
1. Joe Mcillian Savannah, MO 2022 Camaro
2. Dan Lewis Valley City, OH 2020 Dodge R/T
3. Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014 Mustang
4. Dan Fox Bellevue, OH 1969 Olds 442
5. Jeremy Bee Fredericksburg, OH 2022 Mustang
6. Tom Ritz Sandusky, OH 1952 Chevrolet
7. Ron Lardie Richfield, OH 2021 Ford
8. Scott Hansen New London, OH 1993 Mustang
9. Darrell A. Plum, PA 2016 F-150
10. Larry Miller Barberton, OH 1997 Mustang
11. Ray Hill Colver, PA 1968 Nova
12. Bob Bond Marion, OH 1966 El Camino
13. Steve Thompson Maybee, MI 1966 Plymouth Fury
14. John & Jan Ashley New Franklin, OH 1970 Plymouth Cuda
15. Jacob Parker Berlin Hieghts, OH 1988 Mustang
16. Chris Lamiell Brunswick, OH 1969 Nova
17. Dennis Bregitzer Cleveland, OH 1968 Ford Torino GT
18. Rich Diffenbacher North Ridgeville, OH 2016 Mustang
19. Bill Doehrino Brunswick, OH 1984 Mustang
20. Ray Nelson Avon, OH 1971 Dodge Dart
Directors Choice Awards:
· Best GM Muscle
· Winner: Voe Barr Johnstown, PA 1969 Camaro
· Best Ford Muscle
· Winner: Check Sutz Lorain, OH 1966 Mustang
· Best Chrysler Muscle
· Winner: George Conrad Huron, OH 1970 Plymouth Cuda
· Best Late Model
· Winner: Michael Rhodes Tallmadge, OH 2016 Dodge Challenger
· Best Truck
· Winner: George Conrad Huron, OH 1969 Dodge Truck
· Best Traditional Hot Rod
· Winner: Dan Lettshek Clinton Twp, MI 1934 Ford
· Best Pro Street/Race Car
· Winner: Richard Gottlieb Vermillion, OH 1967 Plymouth Belvedere
· Directors Choice Conservative
· Winner: Brent Clark Coshocton, OH 1957 Chevrolet
· Directors Choice Modified
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
SUNDAY GM CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Camaro 67-69
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
· Camaro Gen 5
· Outstanding: Roy Von Stein Shelby, OH 2014 Camaro
· Winner: Jeff Paden Ohio 2010 Camaro
· GM G-Body (Monte Carlo/Regal/Grand Prix/Cutlass)
· Winner: Roc McBrayer Willoughby, OH 1979 Malibu
· 55-56-57 Chevy
· Winner: Brent & Lori Clark Coshocton, OH 1957 Chevrolet
· Best GM of Show
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
SUNDAY FORD CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Mustang 64-78
· Winner: Bob Rohweder Westlake, OH 1970 Mustang
· Mustang 79-93
· Outstanding: Keith Mills Collins,OH 1986 Mustang
· Winner: Steven Sunyak North Ridgeville, OH 1988 Mustang
· Mustang 94-04
· Outstanding: Art Thomas Elyria, OH 1994 Mustang
· Winner: Mike Filous South Euclid, OH 2001 Mustang
· Mustang 05-14’
· Outstanding: Shawn Warden Cleveland, OH 2006 Mustang
· Winner: Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014 Mustang
· Roush, Saleen, Steeda Mustang
· Winner: Myron Ransom Sandusky, OH 2004 Mustang
· Shelby & Boss
· Outstanding: Jeff Bickhart Clyde, OH 2012 Mustang
· Winner: Mike Parsons Amhorst, OH 2015 Mustang
· Compact Ford
· Winner: Larry & Cindy Adolph Berlin Hieghts, OG 1956 Thunderbird
· Open Ford (For Ford vehicles that do not fit into above classes )
· Outstanding: Butch Choven Copley, OH 1934 Ford
· Winner: Jim Billingsley Norwalk, OH 1965 Cobra
· Best Ford of Show
· Winner: Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014
SUNDAY CHRYSLER CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Chrysler B-Body (Road Runner/Coronet/Charger)
· Winner: Rick Truket 1967 Dodge Coronet
· Chrysler E-Body (Challenger/Barracuda)
· Winner: Jon Asley 1970 Plymouth Cuda
· Dodge Truck
· Winner: Jon Schiel Parma, OH 2008 Ram
· Open Chrysler
· Outstanding: Jenna Lamb 2018 Charger
· Winner: Kal Potter New Philadelphia, OH 1964 Plymouth Belvedere
· Best Chrysler of Show
· Winner: Jon Asley 1970 Plymouth Cuda
SUNDAY SPECIALTY AWARDS:
· Best Engine
· Winner: Mike Kolvach North Olmsted, OH 2018 Camaro
· Best Interior
· Winner: Kal Potter New Philadelphia, OH 1964 Plymouth Belvedere
· Best Body & Paint
· Winner: Bob Rohweder Westlake, OH 1970 Mustang
SUNDAY BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show
Winner: Dan Lettshek Clinton Twp, MI 1934 Ford
By Steve Turner
Photography by Dr. Rudy Rouweyha
It is a highlight on the calendar as the Red Line Oil NMCA Muscle Car Nationals Series rolls into Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, Ohio. Not only is it a signal that the season is headed toward the finish line and the championship chase is tightening, but it also means competition at a top-notch facility. And let’s not forget the $1 ice cream.
And what better way to enjoy some delicious ice cream between rounds of drag racing than to peruse the rows of gorgeous muscle machines in the car show? The variety and quality of the vehicles on the display wowed the crowds and challenged the judges to select the weekend winners. Here we hit the highlights of the show, but be sure to check out the full gallery of car show images over at NMCADigital.com.
Best of Show
While the competition was fierce, Dan Lettshek’s 1934 Ford took the Best of Show crown. Sporting a small-block breathing through stack induction, the roadster is as potent as it is pretty. That beauty is more than sheet metal deep, as its interior is pristine. It rides on brilliant billet wheels wrapped in BFGoodrich rubber, and it must be a blast to drive with the tunes turned up and the wind blowing.
Any Yenko Camaro is going to stand out from the crowd, but this stunning example looks like it just rolled off the assembly line and its orange paint stands out from a quarter mile away. Owned by Joe Barr, this 1969 example rumbled away with the
Best GM Muscle award.
Lots of classic Mustangs are stock, but Chuck Sutz’s 1966 Mustang convertible features a few choice performance upgrades and looks the part of a period-correct pony car. It hauled away the Best Ford Muscle award at the 21st Annual NMCA All-American Nationals Presented by Sick the Mag.
Orange rides ruled in Norwalk, and that theme continued with the Best Chrysler Muscle category. George Conrad’s 1970 Plymouth Cuda is a super sanitary stunner and it took home the top Mopar honors.
Not only is Gary Larkin’s 1969 Camaro a gorgeous machine, but its owner knows how to put together an eye-catching show display. Powered by an 826-horsepower, 540-cube big-block built by Vinson Racing Engines, this classic Camaro earned the Director’s Choice Modified award.
Special thanks to the Northcoast Mustang and Ford club for hosting the car show at Summit Motorsports Park.
As the competition wound down on Saturday and Sunday, the winners gathered to collect their hardware before heading home from a successful event.
2022 NMCA Norwalk Car Show Winners List
SATURDAY CAR SHOW AWARDS
Special Recognition Awards:
1. Joe Mcillian Savannah, MO 2022 Camaro
2. Dan Lewis Valley City, OH 2020 Dodge R/T
3. Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014 Mustang
4. Dan Fox Bellevue, OH 1969 Olds 442
5. Jeremy Bee Fredericksburg, OH 2022 Mustang
6. Tom Ritz Sandusky, OH 1952 Chevrolet
7. Ron Lardie Richfield, OH 2021 Ford
8. Scott Hansen New London, OH 1993 Mustang
9. Darrell A. Plum, PA 2016 F-150
10. Larry Miller Barberton, OH 1997 Mustang
11. Ray Hill Colver, PA 1968 Nova
12. Bob Bond Marion, OH 1966 El Camino
13. Steve Thompson Maybee, MI 1966 Plymouth Fury
14. John & Jan Ashley New Franklin, OH 1970 Plymouth Cuda
15. Jacob Parker Berlin Hieghts, OH 1988 Mustang
16. Chris Lamiell Brunswick, OH 1969 Nova
17. Dennis Bregitzer Cleveland, OH 1968 Ford Torino GT
18. Rich Diffenbacher North Ridgeville, OH 2016 Mustang
19. Bill Doehrino Brunswick, OH 1984 Mustang
20. Ray Nelson Avon, OH 1971 Dodge Dart
Directors Choice Awards:
· Best GM Muscle
· Winner: Voe Barr Johnstown, PA 1969 Camaro
· Best Ford Muscle
· Winner: Check Sutz Lorain, OH 1966 Mustang
· Best Chrysler Muscle
· Winner: George Conrad Huron, OH 1970 Plymouth Cuda
· Best Late Model
· Winner: Michael Rhodes Tallmadge, OH 2016 Dodge Challenger
· Best Truck
· Winner: George Conrad Huron, OH 1969 Dodge Truck
· Best Traditional Hot Rod
· Winner: Dan Lettshek Clinton Twp, MI 1934 Ford
· Best Pro Street/Race Car
· Winner: Richard Gottlieb Vermillion, OH 1967 Plymouth Belvedere
· Directors Choice Conservative
· Winner: Brent Clark Coshocton, OH 1957 Chevrolet
· Directors Choice Modified
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
SUNDAY GM CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Camaro 67-69
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
· Camaro Gen 5
· Outstanding: Roy Von Stein Shelby, OH 2014 Camaro
· Winner: Jeff Paden Ohio 2010 Camaro
· GM G-Body (Monte Carlo/Regal/Grand Prix/Cutlass)
· Winner: Roc McBrayer Willoughby, OH 1979 Malibu
· 55-56-57 Chevy
· Winner: Brent & Lori Clark Coshocton, OH 1957 Chevrolet
· Best GM of Show
· Winner: Gary Larkin Pittsburg, PA 1969 Camaro
SUNDAY FORD CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Mustang 64-78
· Winner: Bob Rohweder Westlake, OH 1970 Mustang
· Mustang 79-93
· Outstanding: Keith Mills Collins,OH 1986 Mustang
· Winner: Steven Sunyak North Ridgeville, OH 1988 Mustang
· Mustang 94-04
· Outstanding: Art Thomas Elyria, OH 1994 Mustang
· Winner: Mike Filous South Euclid, OH 2001 Mustang
· Mustang 05-14’
· Outstanding: Shawn Warden Cleveland, OH 2006 Mustang
· Winner: Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014 Mustang
· Roush, Saleen, Steeda Mustang
· Winner: Myron Ransom Sandusky, OH 2004 Mustang
· Shelby & Boss
· Outstanding: Jeff Bickhart Clyde, OH 2012 Mustang
· Winner: Mike Parsons Amhorst, OH 2015 Mustang
· Compact Ford
· Winner: Larry & Cindy Adolph Berlin Hieghts, OG 1956 Thunderbird
· Open Ford (For Ford vehicles that do not fit into above classes )
· Outstanding: Butch Choven Copley, OH 1934 Ford
· Winner: Jim Billingsley Norwalk, OH 1965 Cobra
· Best Ford of Show
· Winner: Jeff Nimon N. Ridgeville, OH 2014
SUNDAY CHRYSLER CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Chrysler B-Body (Road Runner/Coronet/Charger)
· Winner: Rick Truket 1967 Dodge Coronet
· Chrysler E-Body (Challenger/Barracuda)
· Winner: Jon Asley 1970 Plymouth Cuda
· Dodge Truck
· Winner: Jon Schiel Parma, OH 2008 Ram
· Open Chrysler
· Outstanding: Jenna Lamb 2018 Charger
· Winner: Kal Potter New Philadelphia, OH 1964 Plymouth Belvedere
· Best Chrysler of Show
· Winner: Jon Asley 1970 Plymouth Cuda
SUNDAY SPECIALTY AWARDS:
· Best Engine
· Winner: Mike Kolvach North Olmsted, OH 2018 Camaro
· Best Interior
· Winner: Kal Potter New Philadelphia, OH 1964 Plymouth Belvedere
· Best Body & Paint
· Winner: Bob Rohweder Westlake, OH 1970 Mustang
SUNDAY BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show
Winner: Dan Lettshek Clinton Twp, MI 1934 Ford