2019 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals Sets New Attendance Records
Showfield and vendor turnout reportedly shatter previous year’s mark with over 2,800 cars registered.
Annually the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals are a crowd pleaser, both with the diversity of its showfield and the depth of its automotive flea market. Those aspects, combined with some stellar cooperation from Mother Nature helped power the 2019 event to an all-new showfield record. In fact, this year’s record turnout, from July 10 to 12, was the second consecutive year that a record was broken and the fourth time since 2015 that the feat has been accomplished. After all the cars came and went, the 2019 total reached 2,803.
The featured vehicle displays included a dedicated “Summer of ’69” showcase, with a dozen or so of the best Chrysler examples from 50 years ago. Other themes included A12 cars; Daytona and 500 cars; and M-Codes.
Dodge hosted the true stars of the weekend: the cars and trucks that make the brand so popular. Within the “Dodge Garage” tent were RAM trucks, Hellcat Challengers, the Durango and the biggest car star of them all, the all-new 2020 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Widebody. This vehicle was the featured attraction both in the Dodge Garage tent as well in front of the stage with two walk-arounds where Dodge product host John Hammer offered an exciting look at the latest Dodge offering. Following the walk-arounds, Dodge thrill ride driver Mike Burris wowed the crowd with a meaty Hellcat Challenger burnout.
Special guests included Dave Rea and Chris Jacobs, both from MotorTrend TV, and former pro stock racer Herb McCandless.
The sights and sounds of the event were palpable too, with engine revs, horn honks and tires squealing all weekend. Some of the best sensory moments came from Dodge via its wildly-popular thrill ride program, while the afternoon burnout offered a little added fun, with Dodge putting a Hellcat into the pit, plus more than a half-dozen enthusiasts competed to be king of the hill.
On the last day of the 2019 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals, like minded Mopar fans took one last pass on the showfield. The awards parade featured the best of the weekend, representing over 150 classes.
Dates for next year’s Carlisle Chrysler Nationals are set for July 10 to 12, and event registration is open now.
Photos: Carlisle Chrysler Nationals