TorqStorm Superchargers NMRA/NMCA Power Festival Presented by Paul's High Performance
Time To Shine‑Muscle machines flocked to US 131 Motorsports Park to the delight of those in attendance
Written by Steve Turner
Photography by the author
Last year spotty weather dissuaded car show participants from showing out in force, but this year twice as many rides showed up over the weekend of July 22-23. Despite a questionable forecast, only Sunday morning saw significant rainfall at the track, and hardcore enthusiasts still stuck it out for a beautiful afternoon capped by the award on Sunday.
We covered the show field thoroughly on both days and saw a diverse showing of classics and modern performers. There was a little something for any fan of Detroit iron, and the judges from the Western Michigan Camaro Club, which hosted the show, had their hands full choosing the award winners.
Here we touch on some of the highlights from this year’s show, but we are already looking forward to seeing what shows up in 2024. Until then, check out some beautiful rides that earned awards in 2023.
Tony Gully headed west from Romulus, Michigan, to display his 2007 Mustang GT at the TorqStorm Superchargers NMRA/NMCA Power Festival Presented by Paul's High Performance. Though it is powered by a nicely detailed Three-Valve engine topped by an EATON TVS supercharger, it was the striking custom interior that earned the Best Interior award at the show.
Peter Beeke came over from nearby Kalamazoo, Michigan, in his 1966 Fairlane and drove back with two awards. His small-block-powered ride earned the Best Fairlane and Best Ford of Show accolades.
Fox Mustangs are hot fire these days, and Bob Poffinbarger’s 1993 Mustang LX features bolt-on upgrades like a Cobra intake, an MSD ignition, and a Star Wars sunshade. It scored the Best Mustang, ’79-’93 award on Sunday.
After the show each day, winners received their awards during a ceremony, then gathered for a photo with their well-deserved hardware.
2023 NMCA MI Car Show Awards
SATURDAY CAR SHOW AWARDS
Special Recognition Awards:
1. Chrissy Hartman Winemac, IN 1993 Mustang
2. Nicholas Dewitt Wyoming, MI 1953 F100
3. Justin Hewitt Paw Paw, MI 1989 Mustang
4. Dennis Toth Lansing, MI 1931 Ford
5. Steve Cole Allegan, MI 1964 Ford F100
6. Andy Geellhoad Hastings, MI 1933 Ford
7. Jenifer Junde Scotts, MI 1937 Ford
8. Joe Bikowski South Bend, IN 1974 Ford Gran Torino
9. Tim V. Constantine, MI 1997 Mustang
10. Bill McGlocklin Westland, MI 1999 F-150
11. Matthew Grinnewald MI 1969 Camaro SS
12. Lynn Platt Hicksville, OH
13. Tom Byers Vicksburg, MI 1957 Chevy
14. Richard & Barb Cavner Lawton, MI 1968 Chevy C-10
15. Gary Goodin Indianapolis, IN 1969 Camaro
16. Jim Warnez Plainwell, MI 2002 Pontiac Trans Am
17. Larry Starkey Sherwood, MI 1967 Nova
18. J. Barnes Lansing, MI 1979 Olds Cutlass
19. Rich Verbrog Belmont, MI 1940 Ford
20. Ron Wight Grant, MI 2010 Camaro SS
21. Pete Champnoise Dorr, MI 1972 Chevy C-10
22. Gary Trama Plainwell, MI 1973 Chevy Vega
23. Ira Cole Allegan, MI 1951 Chevy Truck
24. Scott Galloway Goshen, IN 1960 King Midget
25. Dan Sweetland Gowen, MI 1970 AMC AMX
Directors Choice Awards:
· Best GM Muscle
· Winner: Ralph Judekerk Delton, MI 1967 Chevrolet Biscayne
· Best Ford Muscle
· Winner: Catherine & Clyde Dunphy Pleasant Plaines, IL 1966 Shelby Mustang
· Best Chrysler Muscle
· Winner: Steve Atwell MI 1968 Plymouth GTX
· Best Late Model
· Winner: Ryan Halvorsen Chicago, IL 2020 Shelby Mustang
· Best Street Rod
· Winner: Mike & Diane McLemore Washington, IN 1940 Ford
· Best Traditional Hot Rod
· Winner: Chet Simmons Plainwell, MI 1955 Buick
· Best Pro Street/Race Car
· Winner: Bob Gruber Lake Zurich, IL 1994 Mustang
· Best Truck
· Winner: Aaron Avery Alto, MI 1960 Jeep
· FSC Editors Choice Best Classic
· Winner: Kirk Bylar Elkhart, IN 1992 Mustang
· FSC Editors Choice Best Modern
· Winner: Anna Beelick 2007 Chevy
· Best Engine
· Winner: Greg Tolles Shelbyville, MI 1969 Chevelle
· Best Interior
· Winner: Peter Dunbar Detroit, MI 2006 Mustang
· Best Paint
· Winner: Denny Otterman Lansing, MI 1985 Corvette
· Directors Choice Conservative
· Winner: Bernie Hickey Nashville, MI 1961 Chevrolet
· Directors Choice Modified
· Winner: Jeff Spencer Butler, IN 1969 Chevelle
SUNDAY GM CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Camaro 67-69
· Winner: Jim W. Plainwell, MI 1969 Camaro
· Camaro 70-81
· Winner: Steve Ogrodzinski Lowell, MI 1978 Camaro
· Camaro 82-92
· Winner: Shelly Crippin Three Rivers, MI 1987 Camaro
· Camaro 93-02
· Winner: Anne Purdun Ionia, MI 2001 Camaro
· Camaro Gen 5
· Winner: Linda Lawrence Battle Creek, MI 2012 Camaro
· Camaro Gen 6
· Winner: Teresa Lins Middleville, MI 2018 Camaro
· Firebird All years
· Winner: G. Rose Calidonia, MI 1999 Trans Am
· Nova 62-67
· Winner: Todd Frazier Kalamazoo, MI 1966 Nova
· Nova 68-Up
· Winner: Ken Firlik Holland, MI 1973 Nova SS
· Chevelle All Years
· Winner: Cliff & Lindsey Shellenbarger Ionia, MI 1970 Chevelle
· GM A-Body (LeMans/Cutlass/Skylark)
· Winner: Art Valasquez Ionia, MI 1971 Olds
· GM G-Body (Monte Carlo/Regal/Grand Prix/Cutlass)
· Winner: Mark Black Vicksburg, MI 1970 Monte Carlo
· Corvette 84 – 2019
· Winner: Blue Drew Detroit, MI 2002 Corvette
· Corvette 2020- Present
· Winner: Brad Wells Wyoming, MI 2023 Corvette
· Early Chevrolet Up to 49’
· Winner: Mike & Diane McLemore Washington, IN 1940 Ford
· GM Full Size All Years
· Winner: Chet & Theresa Simmons Plainwell, MI 1955 Buick
· 55-56-57 Chevy
· Winner: John & Mirjam Madges Grand Rapids, MI 1957 Chevrolet
· Full Size Truck All Years
· Winner: Richard & Barb Cavner Lawton, MI 1968 Chevy C-10
· GM Compact Truck All Years
· Winner: Alan Gullardo Wyoming, MI 2000 Chevy S-10
· Open GM
· Winner: Rich Verbrog Belmont, MI 1972 Buick Riviera
· Best GM of Show
· Winner: Blue Drew Detroit, MI 2002 Corvette
SUNDAY FORD CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Mustang 79-93
· Winner: Bob Poffinbarger Portage, IN 1993 Mustang
· Mustang 94-04
· Winner: Bob Gruber Lake Zurich, IL 1994 Mustang
· Mustang 05-14’
· Winner: Tony Gully Romulus, MI 2007 Mustang
· Mustang 15-Current
· Winner: Nektar Meletalos 2017 Mustang
· SVT & Cobra Mustang
· Winner: Christine Hartmann Winemac, IN 1993 Cobra
· Shelby & Boss
· Winner: Catherine & Clyde Dunphy Pleasant Plaines, IL 1966 Shelby Mustang
· Comet, Cougar, Capri
· Winner: Hayden Danford Knox, IN 1985 Mercury Capri
· Falcon, Fairlane, Maverick
· Winner: Peter Beeke Kalamazoo, MI 1966 Fairlane
· Open Ford (For Ford vehicles that do not fit into above classes )
· Winner: Elaine Stewart Lowell, MI 1955 Thunderbird
· Best Ford of Show
· Winner: Peter Beeke Kalamazoo, MI 1966 Fairlane
SUNDAY CHRYSLER CAR SHOW CLASSES & AWARDS:
· Chrysler B-Body (Road Runner/Coronet/Charger)
· Winner: Ben Phillips Holland, MI 1971 Plymouth GTX
· Chrysler E-Body (Challenger/Barracuda)
· Winner: Bill Cotter Kentwood, MI 1967 Barrauda
· AMC Open
· Winner: Dan Sweetland Gowen, MI 1970 AMC AMX
· Open Chrysler
· Winner: Ron Wight Grant, MI 2012 Jeep
· Best Chrysler of Show
· Winner: Bill Cotter Kentwood, MI 1967 Barrauda
SUNDAY SPECIALTY AWARDS:
· Best Engine
· Winner: Chet & Theresa Simmons Plainwell, MI 1955 Buick
· Best Interior
· Winner: Tony Gully Romulus, MI 2007 Mustang
· Best Body & Paint
· Winner: Ben Phillips Holland, MI 1971 Plymouth GTX
SUNDAY BEST OF SHOW
Best of Show
Winner: Mike & Diane McLemore Washington, IN 1940 Ford
