Oklahoma natives and Arizona transplants Mike and Paula Cotten rank among the most dedicated of NHRA sportsman drag racers, and Mike’s Super Stock Barracuda one of its most recognizable racecars. The Cottens have been at the class racing game for nearly 40 years, competing in Stock and Super Stock in Plymouth Dusters and ‘Cudas.
Married in 1976, the high school sweethearts entered their first national event at Pomona in 1983, and Mike won his first national crown at Dallas eight seasons later, in 1991. In the late 1990s, they purchased a second Duster, put Paula behind the wheel, and the rest, as they say, is history. Now in their 60s and retired, the two traverse the country, competing in more than 20 NHRA national and divisional events each year.
“We love traveling together and being on the road, it’s the same as being at home. We still do laundry, shop for groceries and change the oil in the cars. You just learn how to do this on the road,” Paul says.
The two have faced off against one another twice while racing in Stock Eliminator. Paula won both, and Mike will only admit to one of those losses being intentional.
Read more about the Cotten’s and their way-cool Mopars — among other great Dodge vehicle content — by visiting Dodge Garage.