Drag Racing Action Online

Story and Images  Mashie Mihalko and NHRA Communications

 

The inaugural National Hot Rod Reunion was held at scenic Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. This gathering of nostalgia drag racing competitors and their loyal fans was first known as the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in 2003. In later years the nostalgia happening was re-named the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals.

            The below average temperatures and minimal rain fall was a great improvement over the weather conditions experienced in 2025. The event began with two days of time trials and qualifying among the eleven classes of competition. An autograph session was held with seventeen celebrity racers who signed hero cards and commemorative posters for their admiring fans. A swap meet, variety of vendors, and fields of show cars were available for everyone to review.

            Saturday was the “Big Show “ with the covered grandstands packed with spectators to view the elimination rounds of the race classes contested. The largest response from the fans occurred when the Nostalgia Gassers, Top Fuel, and AA/ Fuel Altereds raced in their respective Eliminators. When the racing concluded, the Top 25 Show Cars were acknowledged and presented with a plaque before making a pass down the drag strip. The Cracklefest concluded the days activities with a variety of high performance vehicles firing up their engines to the delight of all the attendees.

Pete Kaiser capped off a dominant weekend at the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion by claiming the Nostalgia Top Fuel title at Beech Bend Raceway, leading a talented group of champions during the annual celebration of drag racing heritage.

Kaiser, of Pleasant Hill, Calif., drove his Bowen-built machine to a winning 5.905-second pass at 251.77 mph to defeat Gerald Hangey in the Nostalgia Top Fuel final. Kaiser also qualified No. 1 and recorded both low elapsed time and top speed of the event with a 5.761-second run at 258.42 mph, completing one of the most impressive performances of the weekend.

            Broc Porter and his dedicated staff are to be commended for a successful initial National Hot Rod Reunion.

MASHIE’S PHOTO GALLERY