Pure Stock Drags Gets Back To Basics With Factory-Correct Muscle

We’re used to seeing extremely modified race cars, from Super Street and Super Stock cars to Comp and Pro Stock competitors, taking a beating on local drag strips, but rarely do you see virtually bone-stock muscle cars duking it out in a good ‘ole fashioned drag race. That is, unless you take part in the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race held at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex every September. Thanks to a tip from our friend Adrian Beltrame, who races his ‘69 Ram Air IV Firebird at the two-day event, we checked out this unique drag race and found a whole new world of racing opened up to classic muscle car owners.

Significantly modifying your muscle car has it’s advantages, but it can also take away from the true nature of the car. At the Pure Stock Muscle Car Drag Race (PSMCDR), there’s no worrying about that, however. All the cars that participate in the race “must be built like when they rolled off the assembly line, with few modifications,” according to the event website. That means pure head-to-head drags with what American automakers provided rather than the next best thing that comes out in the aftermarket.

The idea is simple — bring your 1955-1974 American or Canadian built “muscle car” out, keep it close to original, and have a weekend full of racing fun. The original appearance of the car must be maintained, as well as the engine, drivetrain and suspension, which must be factory correct for the year, make, model, and horsepower claimed. Few modifications are allowed, like upgraded gear ratios, limited compression ratio changes and slightly tweaked exhaust systems, but other than that, if it isn’t stock-like in nature, it’s not allowed.

Unlike other drag racing events, the Pure Stock Muscle Drag Race is only for factory correct American muscle cars, which makes for quite the scene at the Mid-Michigan Motorplex each fall.

This all may seem a bit fickle in an industry where more power, advanced technology and upgrades are the way to go (just look at the pro-touring movement), but in all reality, the PSMCDR brings the automotive hobby back to the true nature in which it began. And if anything, it’s easier to modify a car to get results than keep it factory correct and work with what you’ve got.

The 2012 PSMCDR is coming up on September 14th and 15th with early tech inspections and trailer parking opening a day earlier on Thursday September 13th.

On Friday the 14th, the Mid-Michigan Motorplex will be buzzing with registration, inspections and time trails all day before qualifying starts at 5 p.m.

Racers will then be paired with another participant running similar times for their best-of-three mini shootout on Saturday.

We hear that this event brings out a lot of nice old-school muscle as well as some rare competitors, so be sure to make your fall vacation plans now to hit up this unique drag racing event. Check out some of the classic stock muscle car drag racing action you’re in for if you make the trip in the videos below.