Dozens of Mopar Cars Stop in Yelm for Second Annual Cruise-In

A group based in Western Washington met in Yelm and Olympia before heading out for a cruise on U.S. Highway 101 on Saturday, June 29.

This nonprofit organization connects car enthusiasts, especially owners of Mopars, muscle cars made from parts from the Chrysler family of products. Owners enjoy modifying their vehicles to personalize them and sharing stories with other Mopar collectors.

The second annual cruise began at Yelm Family Medicine before members stopped in Olympia to pick up additional cruisers. Together, they traveled along U.S. 101 through Shelton, Port Townsend and Port Angeles before returning south through Forks and Aberdeen and ending in Olympia.

Joe Cangialosi, president of Mopar Nation, said the idea of the event was simply to connect Mopar drivers and enjoy a scenic ride.

“We’re a big family. We get together to go to car shows, to events hosted by other people and to host our own events. We enjoy spending time together,” he said.

Cangialosi, who started the group in 2019, proudly sports a blue 2020 Dodge Charger R/T with numerous cosmetic upgrades. He was the first to lead the rowdy line of Mopars at the cruise, which included vehicles such as Dodge Ram trucks, Charger SRTs, Challengers and Chrysler 300s, among others.

Cangialosi said he emphasizes a safe, family atmosphere within the club and prohibits any type of street racing behavior.

“We’re not involved in street racing, buyouts or anything like that. I ban people from the club the moment I see behavior or hear talk like that,” he said. “They’re gone. We’re all about family and safety. We all have our radios. No one gets left behind. If someone has a problem, we all stop and help solve the problem.”

Mopar Nation members will return at 8 a.m. Saturday, July 20, to Yelm Family Medicine to kick off the Mopar Nation Minors Burger Run, where participants will enjoy food and the company of fellow car enthusiasts.

For more information about Mopar Nation, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Mopar.Nation.2022.