The annual Carlisle Truck Nationals truck event is many things to many people.  It’s a place for truck clubs to converge and have fun.  It’s a place for owners of trucks of all sizes to get together and showcase their prized rides and custom creations.  It’s a place for families to enjoy an affordable day (or weekend) out seeing in real life the toys they play with at home.  And, for the last three consecutive years, it’s a place where Showfield growth has almost become expected, as yet ANOTHER Carlisle Truck Nationals (August 4-6, 2023) not only wowed guests through the gate, it SHATTERD another truck turnout record.

Though about 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 5, the previous record high was 2,594.  That is, until big rig owner John Savoy registered his hauler, making the number 2,595.  From there, every registrant set a new mark until the final number of 2,870 was reached by mid-day Sunday, August 6.  That’s right, a new mark by 276 trucks.  Best of all, dating back to 2019 (and including the COVID year of 2020), truck show numbers have skyrocketed.  For 2019, Carlisle hosted 1,703 registered trucks, in 2020 it was 1,570, 2021 saw a massive jump to 2,510, 2022 did 85 better with 2,595, and now 2,870 in 2023.  Wow, what growth!  Speaking of growth, the Big Rig Show and Shine stretched fence line to fence line; tallying some 231 rigs; up more than 150 over the past 10 years.

What brings the trucks, and guests back to Carlisle annually?  How about the wide variety of showcase options.  Guests can enjoy lowered mini trucks, lifted big trucks, monster trucks, antique big rigs, modern day haulers, antique fire trucks, cool custom vans, heavy equipment, and more.  There’s also a nice mix of family activities and fun for the kids too; including monster truck rides and shows, a kids cash grab, Kids bingo, all new in 2023, Mr. Mysterrio the Magician, face painting, balloon animals, a goody bag, and best of all, FREE admission for all kids 12 and under.  Kids had a chance to see in real life, the toys they play with at home and the payoff was well worth the cost of admission.

In addition, the Truck Nationals hosted a variety of automotive flea market vendors, business partners on the midway, and dozens of trucks for sale within the truck corral.  Truck weekend celebrated 40 years of the Ranger too, and even put the wheels in motion with multiple competitions and pop-up parades.  The low trucks skated around the grounds, while the 454 SS trucks showed off their style as well.  In addition, low truck limbo, high truck challenge, drop and drag, and the rolling burnout contest presented by Atturo Tires offered no shortage of truck themed activities for the throngs of showgoers.  Club gatherings also help make it a fun weekend for attendees and participants. 

Judged or non-Judged, the show was a smashing success and while 2023 is a wrap, the Carlisle Truck Nationals 2024 (August 2-4) is in the early planning.  Registration for it is now open and planned 2024 display themes include a great gallery of antique fire trucks by way of the Old Fire Farts, Vanarama within the American Collectors Insurance Pavilion, American Truck Historical Society, the Big Rig Show and Shine, and more. For details on upcoming car events at Carlisle, advanced arrival information, or to check out the winner’s list and photos from Truck Nationals weekend, visit CarlisleEvents.com.

The 2023 Corvettes at Carlisle car show, August 24-26 at the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds, will do what it does best, embrace history and celebrate the people and cars that make the hobby so special.  This year, the celebrations include special displays (details below), the annual downtown Carlisle Corvette Parade and Street Party (August 26), AND the return of the Corvette American Flag.  This, and so much more help make Corvettes at Carlisle the best car show of its type worldwide.

Corvettes at Carlisle is three days but for some, it’s a week-long celebration.  Corvettes come and go in the days leading up to the event’s official opening day, but Thursday, August 24 at 7 a.m. serves as the official start day.  Enthusiasts come from nearly every state and annually there is a large international audience too.  People come to have their Corvette judged, meet special guests like Wil Cooksey, Lou Santiago, and Team Chevrolet, shop for parts within the automotive flea market, Corvettes within the car corral, sit in on FREE seminars, and more.  Corvettes at Carlisle doesn’t just host the finest Corvettes, it hosts all kinds of Corvettes.  This includes project cars, weekend show pieces, and daily drivers too.  More than that, they come for the unmatched camaraderie that a show like this provides.

Corvettes at Carlisle also hosts special displays in 2023.  This year, guests can marvel at some of the best 1973 Corvettes around with a 50-year look back at some early-decade C3s.  The NCCC is also back at Carlisle, presenting its annual Judged Concours, the NCRS Gallery showcases some of the best of the best too, while Building T’s yearly Chip’s Choice display welcomes 100 Years of LeMans Corvettes.

Chip’s Choice is special this year in that it brings together cars that have historical significance associated with the famed race in France.  This includes the #1 and #3 Cunningham Corvettes from the 1960 race, a 1968 L88 DX that was tapped to dominate the race but ultimately never made it across the pond due to the postponement of the race in ’68, and a trio of Callaway Cars that were attached to various races but for the first-time-ever, come together to not only be part of a car show, but to honor their namesake; the late Reeves Callaway.   

Corvettes at Carlisle is also giving away a Corvette in 2023!  The giveaway winner has a 1 in 1,000 chance to win a 2023 2LT.  Hosted by the Lancaster County Corvette Club, the giveaway benefits Clare House and the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF).  Tickets are numbered 000-999 and the winning number is based on the Saturday night (August 26) Pennsylvania Lottery Pick 3 drawing.  Tickets are just $150 per entry; with the final few being auctioned in person at Corvettes at Carlisle.  There’s another great Corvette that will be awarded, but not until late September and it comes by way of the CMAF.  This red Z06 w/Z07 Performance Package will be on display, with options to enter the sweepstakes available both in person and online at CorvetteContest.com.

Speaking of the CMAF, friends of the foundation come together Friday (August 25) for the annual dinner at the neighboring Carlisle Expo Center.  Significant cars will be on display, special guests will be on hand, there’s a planned merchandise/memorabilia auction, door prizes, and great food too.  All proceeds benefit the CMAF. 

In addition to the 2LT, there are some great prizes on the line too.  Lingenfelter Performance presents the King of the X autocross competition, where two winners will take home $500 each; the Ron Fellows Driving School is giving away an experience at their Nevada venue, and Aerolarri Wheels presents four of its best to the People’s Choice winner.

Online registration for the Fun Field is available through Sunday, August 20, with in-person registration options available throughout the event.  In addition, spectator admission is $20 for adults, with kids 12 and under admitted FREE.  Spectator parking is $10 per car, with on-grounds options for Corvettes only, while many off-grounds options are also available for non-Corvette owners. Call 717-243-7855 to learn more or visit Corvettes at Carlisle online today.

The growth of the Carlisle Truck Nationals over the past five years has been nothing short of amazing, and best of all, it’s been a grassroots effort by those who love the event the most; the attendees.  Each August trucks of all shapes, sizes, styles, and eras come together for the Carlisle Truck Nationals and this year (August 4-6), showgoers will have a chance to learn a little something about their beloved trucks; specifically, those with a diesel engine and those that have been lifted (or under consideration for a lift).

Carlisle is pleased to announce that World Class GM Certified Technician Paul Koerner brings his expertise to the venue to talk to truck owners and educate the masses on General Motors engine & diesel performance on Friday, followed by a seminar Saturday on the positives and negatives of lifting a truck.  Each seminar is in Building R and is FREE once on the grounds at the Carlisle Truck Nationals.

The powerplant is the heart of any GM/Chevy truck and in the engine & diesel performance seminar, Paul and his team will discuss ways that truck owners can keep their engines running at their best.  This includes little tips and tricks as well as what helps and what can potentially HURT the engine too.  It doesn’t matter if it is gas or diesel, Paul and his team will help with any questions posed. 

Saturday’s seminar on lifted trucks should be a fun one, as many truck enthusiasts do love a truck that’s a little jacked.  But...what are the pros and cons of doing so?  Lifting a truck looks cool, offers more clearance for off-roading, etc. but, can it also increase problems?  Everyone wants to lift their ride, so make sure to catch this discussion as all the details are presented, including residual issues like vibration, increased suspension wear, tire wear, fuel milage impact, and more.  It’s all going to be broken down by an expert and he’ll be sure to touch on both light-duty and heavy-duty trucks. 

These two great seminars are just a small part of the overall Carlisle Truck Nationals experience. Truck weekend includes monster truck fun, big rigs, cool custom vans, antique fire trucks, lifted trucks, lowered trucks, SyTys, the 40^th Anniversary of the Ford Ranger, and more.  There’s even a great mix of kids' fun too, including a magician, kids bingo, a kid’s cash grab, goody bag with some great toys inside, and best of all, kids 12 and under are admitted FREE so that they can see their toybox come to life.

Online registration for the Showfield is available through Monday, July 31, with in-person registration options available beginning August 3 and running throughout the event.  In addition, spectator admission is $15 for adults and spectator parking is just $10.  Call 717-243-7855 to learn more or visit the Carlisle Truck Nationals online today.

Corvettes at Carlisle has not only showcased some of the top Vettes ever built each August since 1982, but it’s also welcomed some of the greatest minds in the industry to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds too.  These guests included the likes of Zora Duntov, Wil Cooksey, Ken Lingenfelter, Tadge Juechter, and Reeves Callaway just to name a few.  These names, and others like them, have left an undeniable mark on the hobby and have had, or will have their moment in the spotlight at Carlisle.  Unfortunately for Corvette fans, one name unexpectedly jumped to the top of the honors list with the sudden passing of Reeves Callaway on July 11.  At this year’s event, August 24-26 in Carlisle, Mr. Callaway will be remembered in multiple ways, including by way of the annual Chip’s Choice display.

While Callaway Cars have designed, developed, and manufactured high-performance product packages for cars, pickup trucks, and SUVs, they made possibly their biggest splash with Corvettes.  Along with enthusiast-built rides, they also added their touch to a trio of Corvettes with a history tied to the famed 24 Hours of LeMans; the theme of this year’s Chip’s Choice.  As part of the Callaway honors, Corvettes at Carlisle is honored to announce that ALL THREE Callaway Corvettes (two Corvettes, one “Callaway C7R”) that raced (two raced, the C7R did not race but ran during 1996 LeMans pre-qualifying. The C7 was built specifically to run GT1 at LeMans ) at the famed track will come together for the first-time EVER to be displayed as a tribute to the man and mind who designed them.  These cars include a silver 1997 Callaway C7R, a red, white, and blue 2001 Callaway C12R, and a silver 1994 Callaway LM #001.

The first-time-ever showcase of the three cars is made even more special by their
lineage and history.  The ’96 Callaway C7R was a completely new, purpose-built car that carried on the visual tradition of design by Paul Deutschman and was offered in a limited production series of two.  This one was LeMans prepared but failed to qualify for the race.  The ’01 C12R competed at LeMans in 2001, sat on the GT2 pole, and led its class for a period of time.  Unfortunately, it logged a DNF due to an engine issue.  Its visit to Carlisle marks the FIRST TIME it’s ever been showcased in the United States.  Finally, the ’94 LM #001 car earned pole position in GT2 with Boris Said as the driver.  #011 led its class but was snake bitten with a DNF.  In ’95 the car, known as Frieda, entered again and earned 2^nd in the GT2 class and 9^th overall, making it the highest-finishing Corvette at LeMans since 1960 when a Briggs Cunningham Corvette finished 8^th overall.

These three cars are just a small part of the Reeves Callaway honors for 2023.  Plans are underway for some extra signage and banners at Corvettes at Carlisle, an extra moment of revving in his honor, a feature segment in the event guide, and more, including some special moments planned by the Callaway Owners Group car club.

With an entire display gallery populated with historic and prominent LeMans racers, a Fun Field hosting every generation of Corvette ever produced, the NCCC, NCRS Gallery, 50 years of 1973 Corvettes, and more, this event can’t be missed.  Gates open at 7 a.m. each day and kids 12 and under are admitted FREE.  Complete details about the 2023 Corvettes at Carlisle car show, including information on how to become a vendor within the automotive flea market, register for the Fun Field, or simply purchase discounted spectator admission tickets can be found at CarlisleEvents.com or by calling 717-243-7855.

The 2023 Carlisle Chrysler Nationals has come and gone, and so has our buddy Lou Costabile.  Lou had so much fun at Carlisle and garnered MANY great stories with car owners and their prized rides.  This week's latest All About Cars features Lou, Mark Tantillo, and Mark's 1971 Plymouth Duster 340.  Sit back, relax, and enjoy this "My Car Story" with Lou Costabile!