The original Dodge Challenger, produced from 1970 to 1974, hit the peak of the muscle car era with an almost unmatched mix of style, variety, and raw performance. Three of those cars would achieve almost mythical status: the 1970, 440 Challenger driven by Kowalski (played by Barry Newman) in the cult film Vanishing Point; the 1970 hemi-powered "Black Ghost" Challenger owned by Detroit police officer Godfrey Qualls, that dominated the Detroit street racing scene, and the 1972 Challenger (pictured below) built by NASCAR legend Cotton Owens and driven by Brock Yates in the 1972 and 1975 Cannonball Baker Sea to Shining Sea Memorial Trophy Dash cross-country races. That car, along with many others, will be on display at the annual Cannonball Run Reunion at Old Kings Market (formerly Goodwives Shopping Center) in Darien on October 12th.
EVENT DETAILS The Cannonball Reunion Car Show takes place at Old Kings Market in Darien. This year is extra special as it celebrates the
50th anniversary of the 1975 Cannonball and automotive enthusiasts from all over the US, Europe and Asia are flying (or driving) in. This years event will feature DJ Brian Skirba (starting at 8 AM), a live memorabilia auction, a Q&A / autograph session with some of the original Cannonball race participants, and lots of cars.
As usual, the event us
open to all makes and all models of cars.
- 6:00 am – Gates open for invited guests
- 7:00 am – Gates open for public / spectators
- 8:00 am – Judging starts
- 9:00 am to 10:00 am – Public Q&A and autograph session
- 10:00 am – Judging ends / Live Auction starts
- 10:30 am – Award Winners Announced
- 11:00 am – Event Ends
Among the Cannonball notables who will be attending:
- Brock Yates Jr - Brock's son and the youngest participant (14 years old, Cannonball #1) in any Cannonball.
- Pam Yates - Brock Yates' wife and the passenger in the '79 Cannonball's Ambulance
- Judy Stropus - a member of the all-woman Right Bra Racing Team ('73 Cannonball) who inspired Adrienne Barbeau's character in the movie Cannonball Run.
- Dennis “Mad Dog” Menescini (’79 Cannonball), the legend, who infamously drove his Chevrolet Silverado up the embankment behind Goodwives, through a fence and onto southbound I-95.
- Steven Fog ('79 Cannonball), New Canaan native who completed the race in a 1979 Firebird Trans Am.
- Wendy Epstein ('79 Cannonball) not only one of the few women who competed in the original races, but the only one to do so on a motorcycle.
- Chuck Schmitt ('79) Cannonball who made the trip in a 1979 Cadillac Eldorado.
- John Harrison, also '79 Cannonball who thought a Lotus Esprit was a good choice for a cross-country run (because older English cars are so reliable).
- Alex Roy who broke the record in 2006 and who set the Full Self Driving record in 2025.
- Jeff and Alexis Popick - the father / daughter team who completed the run earlier this year.
Profits will be donated to the Brock Yates' Alzheimer Foundation - a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.
$5.00 except for active duty military and children under 16 who are admitted for free.
Parking in the Goodwives parking lot for one car plus admission for the driver and passenger(s).
Exhibitor Parking
WE COULDN'T DO THIS WITHOUT OUR SEASON SPONSORS
7:00 am to 10:30 am
Old Kings Market (formerly Goodwives Shopping Center)
25 Old Kings Highway North, Darien, CT 06820
2nd Sunday of the month at the starting location of the 1979 Cannonball cross-country race.
