Celebrate Cobra Jet’s 50th Anniversary At The NMCA’s Reunion In Ohio

Back in 1968, Ford made a statement on the quarter mile with the introduction of the Cobra Jet. Born to drag race, this Mustang variant features a bruising 428 engine backed by a four-speed manual and 4.30 gears. It laid waste to the Super Stock competition at the NHRA’s 1968 Winternationals. In the ensuing years its legend has grown.

We are thrilled and excited to add the 50th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion to our NMCA race at Summit Motorsports Park… — Steve Wolcott, NMCA

The Cobra Jet was reborn in 2008, and it is now set to celebrate its 50th Anniversary at the NMCA’s Honeywell Garrett All-American Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio, with the Ford Performance 50th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion on August 23-26, 2008.

The NMCA will celebrate a drag racing legend at the All-American Nationals in Norwalk, Ohio. The Ford Performance 50th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion will host autographs, a car show, drag racing, presentations, a special dinner, and more.

“A portion of the left side of Summit Motorsports Park will be turned into a Cobra Jet village with a massive tent housing some of the most storied vehicles in its history. NMCA and Ford Performance officials have already lined up Al Joniec’s Cobra Jet that won the 1968 NHRA Winternationals, a special 50th anniversary edition Cobra Jet, and many other significant cars,” says the NMCA. “Outside of the tent will be the Cobra Jet car show and the pit area for vehicles that are in the drag racing competition. There will also be autograph sessions and exclusive merchandise on sale.”

In addition to the trackside displays and drag racing, the event will also play host to a special opportunity for Cobra Jet fans. Friday evening there will be a Ford Performance Cobra Jet Reunion Dinner that offers the opportunity to mingle with the people who enabled the Cobra Jet legacy. Hosted by NHRA announcer Brian Lohnes, the dinner will feature guest speakers, a multimedia presentation, and more.

This 50th anniversary celebration will bring together the classics with the modern Cobra Jet racers, including Al Joniec’s Cobra Jet 1968 NHRA Winternationals-winning Cobra Jet and a special 50th anniversary edition. (Photo Credit: Steve Tuner, NMCA)

“We are thrilled and excited to add the 50th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion to our NMCA race at Summit Motorsports Park,” NMCA’s President and CEO Steve Wolcott said. “Not only will fans get to see the usual exciting line-up of NMCA street and race categories, but they will get to enjoy a slice of Cobra Jet history that helped define the factory drag racing wars over the last half-a-century.”

If you want to participate in the Cobra Jet VIP fan experience you must pre-register to ensure seating for the luncheons and dinner. The final day to pre-register is August 15, 2018 and you can do so right here, so don’t miss out. The NMCA’s aforementioned Cobra Jet Reunion swag is also up for sale on its online store for those who can’t make it out to this historic gathering.

Ford Performance 50th Anniversary Cobra Jet Reunion Schedule

Thursday, August 23

• Cobra Jet Drag Race Parking/Tech/Test & Tune (T&T from 1:00 pm to 7:00 pm)

• Early Cobra Jet Car Show Parking

• Honeywell Garrett Participant Appreciation Happy Hour from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. (pit area)

Friday, August 24

• Cobra Jet Drag Race Parking/Tech/Qualifying:

• 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Watson Racing Cobra Jet Drag Race Luncheon in Pit-Side Tent with Special Guest Speakers (for CJ drag racers/crew/sponsors/media only)

• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cobra Jet Truth, Lies, and Myths Storytelling (open to the public)

• Cobra Jet Car Show Parking/Registration/Special Recognition Awards (3:30 p.m.)

• 7-10 p.m. Cobra Jet Reunion Celebration Dinner/Sawmill Creek Resort (pre-purchase required)

Saturday, August 25

• Cobra Jet Drag Race Eliminations

• Cobra Jet Car Show Parking/Registration/Media-Club-Top 3 Awards (4:00 pm)

Special Events:

• 8:30 a.m. Cobra Jet Reunion Group Photo (main grandstands pit side)

• 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Watson Racing Cobra Jet Car Show & Drag Race Luncheon in Car

• Show Side Tent with Special Guest Speakers (for CJ car show and drag race participants/crew/guests/sponsors/media only)

• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cobra Jet Truth, Lies, and Myths Storytelling (open to the public)

• 4:00 p.m. Cobra Jet Drag Race Starting Line Ceremony

• 4:00 p.m. Cobra Jet Car Show Awards

• 6:00 p.m. (or later) Cobra Jet Drag Race Awards

• TBD autographs signing throughout the day

Sunday, August 26

• Cobra Jet Car Show Class & Best Of Awards (4:00 p.m.):

• 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m. Watson Racing Cobra Jet Car Show Luncheon in Car Show Side

• Tent with Special Guest Speakers (for CJ car show participants/guests/sponsors/media only)

• 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Cobra Jet Truth, Lies, and Myths Storytelling (open to the public)

• TBD autographs signing throughout the day

About the author

Steve Turner

Steve Turner brings decades of passion and knowledge in the world of Ford performance, having covered it for over 20 years. From the swan song of the Fox Mustang to the birth of the Coyote, Steve had a front-row seat.
Read My Articles

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