Round three of the NMRA's '08 season rolled into Ford's backyard for the Aeromotive NMRA Ford Nationals June 13-15 at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan. Located just west of Detroit, the Milan event always attracts plenty of great Mustangs for the drag racing and the Laurel Mountain Mustang All-Ford Auto Show.
With its close proximity to Dearborn, there were a couple of Ford-related activities at Milan. First, since the event was held over Father's Day weekend, the NMRA proclaimed Sunday as Ford Employee Appreciation Day, which provided fathers with a great excuse for heading out to the races on their special day. Ford employees received free entry for the entire family and car show participants got preferred parking. Ford Racing also staged its Media Invitational drag race, with members of the magazine press competing against each other on the quarter-mile.
Ford Racing's Jesse Kershaw...
Ford Racing's Jesse Kershaw was on hand at Milan to oversee the Media Invitational drag racing event.
The show field was loaded...
The show field was loaded with nice late-model Mustangs, many of them belonging to Ford employees.
On display at Milan was Cory...
On display at Milan was Cory Ayers' white hardtop, a rare '72 Sprint edition.
This pair of dark-blue Shelbys...
This pair of dark-blue Shelbys provided a close-up comparison of the differences between the '67s and '68s.
How colorful can you get?...
How colorful can you get? John and Enda Span's bright-orange'03 Cobra was a standout even though it was parked next to bright yellow and blue Mustangs.
Check out the '68 rear quarters...
Check out the '68 rear quarters on Mike Towler's '67 GTA (sans stripes).
Editor's Choice
It was a perfect Father's Day weekend for Tom Graney. Not only did his '70 Mach 1 take the Mustang Monthly Editor's Choice award at Milan, but Tom also got to share the weekend and the award with his son, Bryan.
We can see why photographer Paul Rosner made the pick. Tom's blue metallic Mach 1 is the consummate Mustang muscle car with a Shaker-scooped 428 Cobra Jet engine, four-speed, and Magnum 500 wheels. It also has all of the Boss-inspired add-ons, such as spoilers all around and rear-window louvers.
Although an R-code 428 Cobra Jet was plenty stout from the factory, Tom enhanced things with an Edelbrock intake and a Centerforce clutch.