You’d think that people who buy race cars would inevitably be racers themselves, but that is not always the case. These days special edition performance cars are just as likely to be found with zero miles in a climate controlled garage as they are on the race track. Even Ford’s mighty Cobra Jet Mustang, a warrior built for racing, is sometimes forced into retirement before it has even had a chance to stretch its legs.

This August, the NMCA will offer Cobra Jet owners, racers and collectors alike, a chance to give these super fast Mustangs a chance to stretch their young legs at the inaugural Cobra Jet Showdown. It is a special event to be run in conjunction with the 5th Annual JE Pistons NMCA Muscle Car Nationals, at Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan, August 26-28, 2011.

There will be classes, so Cobra Jets of every make and model are welcome, including the original 428 cubic-inch beasts that got it all started. They will compete against the modern Cobra Jets equipped with the 2.3 liter TVS supercharger. Those Cobra Jets equipped with the 4.0 liter TVS supercharger will run in a class by themselves. The winners of these two individual classes will be rewarded $2,000, which should just about cover the cost of gas these days, depending on how far you have to drive to the Milan Dragway in Milan, Michigan. Second place pockets $400.

But that’s not all! After the two class winners are crowned, there will be one final showdown between the two champions, with an additional $2,000 on the line. A handicap will be applied based on the quickest time of the day, and then the two will race with no breakout to crown the Cobra King. Sounds like a good reason to bust out the ol’ CJ for a few runs down the strip.