NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The Mopar brand is bringing the bash to Pennsylvania with the inaugural Mopar Mega Block Party free fan-admission event, scheduled to rock FirstEnergy Stadium in Reading from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29. The stadium’s baseball diamond will be transformed into the Mopar brand’s home field for one night and help ring in the NHRA Keystone Nationals, scheduled for Sept. 29-Oct. 2 at Maple Grove Raceway near Reading.

The inaugural Mopar Mega Block Party is a spinoff of the long-running Mopar Block Party, which has served as the pre-race starter of the Mopar Mile-High NHRA Nationals near Denver each July for the last 15 years.

“NHRA Reading fans need to get ready for some Mopar-style action,” said Bill Harry, director, Mopar marketing. “We are bringing the Mopar Mega Block Party to town with a unique opportunity to meet our drivers, see Mopar vehicles, enjoy exciting activities, and experience firsthand the true passion and commitment of the Mopar brand to the drag racing world.”

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Mopar stars scheduled to appear at the Mopar Mega Block Party include from the nitro ranks two-time NHRA Funny Car world champion and Mopar Express Lane Dodge Charger R/T driver Matt Hagan, new Mopar/Pennzoil Top Fuel dragster driver Leah Pritchett, eight-time Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher, 2012 Funny Car world champ Jack Beckman, and 13-time NHRA national event winner Tommy Johnson Jr. Mopar Pro Stock drivers appearing include defending world champion and Mopar Performance Dodge Dart driver Erica Enders, five-time Pro Stock world champ and Magneti Marelli Offered by Mopar Dodge Dart racer Jeg Coughlin Jr., and 2012 Pro Stock world champ Allen Johnson.

Fans can meet their favorite Team Mopar drivers during the hour-long autograph session and watch them test their "Hemi power" in an attempt to “go yard” for charity in the Mopar Home Run Derby, hosted by NHRA announcer Alan Reinhart. A Mopar car show will offer fans the chance to check out an all-star lineup of classic, concept, drag race, and modern-day Mopar muscle.

The Raminator Monster Truck will rumble into Reading, flexing its muscle in a car-crush demonstration and thrilling fan rides. Fun for fans of all ages is provided with a children’s playground featuring a bounce house, giant slide, mini golf, and speed-pitch station. Mopar giveaways and gear will be up for grabs throughout the entire night, with food and drinks also available for purchase.

A trio of bands — Go Go Gadjet, Liquid A, and TJ Bebb — will help turn up the volume on the Mopar celebration, with an extra spark added with a closing fireworks display. 

For more information on the inaugural Mopar Mega Block Party, including an event schedule and directions to FirstEnergy Stadium, log on to www.moparserviceinfo.com.