Story and Images “Nostalgia Mashie” Mihalko

 

            The 22nd annual Wally Parks Nationals was held Father’s Day weekend at historic Beech Bend Raceway Park located in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Two days of qualifying and time trials were scheduled before the final elimination rounds on Saturday. This year’s weather required a change to the usual Friday program and Saturday’s racing. Eliminations began Friday afternoon for those groups that had the largest number of entries. This change resulted in a loss of time runs for some of the contestants. The frequency of rain showers kept the track staff busy ensuring a safe racing surface for the participating drivers.

           There were nine eliminators contested. Nostalgia Pro Stock, AA/Gassers, AA/Fuel Altereds, Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters, and Nostalgia Funny Cars filled the rest of the racing program.

Winning Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster was defending Hot Rod Heritage champ Tyler Hilton. Hilton driving the Great Expectations dragster out of Cincinnati Ohio defeated Pete Kaiser in the finals at Bowling Green.

Kaiser from Pleasant Hill CA came into Bowling Green in the Heritage points lead but left in second place after dropping the final to Hilton in a close one. Kaiser had the slight jump at the green, but Hilton powered by with a 5.727 to Kaiser’s 5.796 for the win and the points lead.

Winning a short field of Nostalgia Funny Car was Ventura CA racer Kris Krabill. Krabill driving the Michael Bartone tribute car defeated the Arrow of Levi Keenen with a 5.843 to the losing 6.015 of Keenen.

The unique Bartone look on the Krabill car had people talking and Krabill replied.” Multiple people have asked about the creative spark behind our new paint scheme. In recognition of Michael’s most celebrated triumph, the 1995 US Nationals, we took the design of that car and collaborated with Kenny Youngblood to produce a rendering for the funny car. Bobby Steneck then skillfully executed the paint job.”

“One of my favorite painters ever John Pugh painted the headlights and tail lights as well.”

Nostalgia Pro Stock had a good turnout with David Adkins driving the Joe Satmary and Cannon Camaro to a win over Mike Robbins Darrell Alderman Mopar. Adkins had a great reaction time, and it counted as his 8.054 beat Robbins’  better but later 8.026

A Swap Meet, merchandise vendors, nostalgia pros autograph session, and viewing the variety of show cars kept the attending spectators entertained. A Cacklefest concluded the three day event with both static and push started dragsters. The track staff and management are to be commended for completing the racing program under trying circumstances. The inclement weather limited the usual number of spectators and show cars that attend during more favorable conditions. Hopefully, in 2026 Mother Nature will provide better weather for the spectators, show car participants, and nostalgia racers.