Drag-racing Couple Proves ‘Mopar or No Car’ Is for Life
Mike and Paula Cotten are high-school sweethearts with a love for drag racing Mopars, a passion they still fuel to this day.
There’s a saying in our Hemi-powered circle: “Mopar or no car.” Why choose some lowly Chevy or Ford, after all, when you can have some outstanding machines from Auburn Hills? While the others have lost their performance edge, Dodge, Ram and Chrysler have tons of performance concentrated in one hardcore lineup. It’s enough to make anyone make Mopars a part of their lives for the rest of their lives.
Of course, it’s even better when you and yours share the same Mopar passion. Dodge Garage recently shared a story about Mike and Paula Cotten, high-school sweethearts who’ve enjoyed drag racing with Mopars for nearly 45 years.
“My first Mopar was a 1973 Duster 340 that I bought brand new when I was 18 years old and drove it through college,” said Mike. “Paula and I actually went on our honeymoon to St. Louis in the Duster 340.”
The Duster started off in bracket racing before Mike took it to the next level in 1978, entering it in AHRA competition. Five years later, he jumped to the big time in NHRA, and also raced the Duster in IHRA.
Soon, though, Paula joined Mike in the NHRA Stock Eliminator class with a Duster 340 of her own. Mike’s ride, alas, met a fatal end in 2015 in Phoenix. Thus, while Paula kept on racking wins in her class, Mike built a 1970 ‘Cuda with a 383 V8 to use in NHRA Super Stock.
“Mike and I do disagree at times, but it’s in a form of a discussion as Mike is easy going and rarely gets angry,” said Paula. “Mike has a lot of trust in my numbers, sometimes too much. When I’m uncomfortable with the dial in, he helps me work through my thoughts.”
While the Cottens enjoy the classics, they also approve of the modern Mopar madness. The couple recently acquired a 2019 Challenger R/T Scat Pack 1320, which Paula uses to beat the competition.
For 2020, the Cottens plan to bring their Mopars to up to 15 NHRA events, plus eight divisional competitions. For them, “Mopar or no car” is for life.
Photos: Dodge Garage
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