As we make our way through August, Labor Day weekend is fast approaching, and for us, that means it’s almost time to return to Englishtown’s Raceway Park for Hemmings Muscle Machines magazine’s Musclepalooza XII. This will be the second time we’ve gone down to Jersey with our muscle car extravaganza, and just like last year we’re making it a two-day event, with drag racing and car shows over both days.

Saturday is slated for our cruise-in-style car show, which will be open to all American muscle cars, as well as American classics, street rods and trucks. What makes it cruise-in style? It’s the relaxed nature of this afternoon gathering, where the gates open at noon and the awards are based on selections made by the Englishtown crew, rather than structured judging (which we’ll have on Sunday). Racing on Saturday will consist of bracket classes that also kick-off at noon, and all competitors must be muffled (and must also comply with NHRA and NJ state rules); eliminations are set to begin at 4 p.m.

Then, on Sunday, we start bright and early as the gates open at 8 a.m. Sunday’s car show is open only to American muscle cars, and over 20 trophies will be awarded to the winners of judging performed by the Hemmings staff, covering First Place and Runner Up for a variety of classes based on vehicle make, along with a Best Engine, Best Paint and of course, the premier award for Best of Show. Racing on Sunday begins with time trials at 9:30 a.m.; eliminations will then begin at 2 p.m. Classes will consist of B1 through B9 ET brackets, plus we’ll also be holding the Buick Quick 16 Shootout and the Factory Appearing Stock Tire (F.A.S.T.) series race. The F.A.S.T. racers set a new series record of 10.18 seconds at our spring event, and competitors are pushing hard to see who will be the first to crack the 9-second barrier. Remember too that F.A.S.T. also holds a Factory Stock class for unmodified muscle cars.

Musclepalooza XII at Englishtown over the Labor Day weekend should be a great way to top off this summer’s events season; we’ll see you there.