Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
by Ed Miles
Take nostalgic drag racing with Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, Funny Cars, Super Stocks, Altereds, and Stocks, and combine with display cars back to the earliest years of drag racing, and surround that with over 1200 entries of street rods custom cars, classic cars, antique cars, muscle cars; mix in various DJ booths spinning the oldies music, add a swap meet for classic and racing parts, a live stage show featuring The Diamonds, along with shaded riverside camping for over 500 spots, next to a full amusement park with rides and games for all ages, have a continuous cruising with cars from all the eastern segment of the U.S. and you truly have something for everyone. That was the setting June 18 through June 20, 2004 at the Second Annual NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, Kentucky.
I did not think last years' Inaugural event could have been topped, but through the hard work of The Wally Parks N.H.R.A. Museum, along with Holley and Dupont Automotive Finishes, two companies with over 100 years of experience, this years event far surpassed last year. Friday nights' program at the University Plaza Hotel Convention Center Ballroom began with Dave McClelland as Master of Ceremonies. Bowling Green Mayor Sandy Jones welcomed everyone, stayed for the entire program and then got into the spirit of things as she sat in the cockpit of the Weekly-Fox-Rivera-Holding Top Fuel Dragster as it was fired up at the main entrance of the convention center.
Al Bergler who campaigned the famous competition coupe "More Aggravation", the funny car "Motown Shaker" and many other cars led the presentations. He was car owner for the car Butch Maas drove on the Coca-Cola Cavalcade Match Race Circuit during the 1972 season and returned as driver again in 1973, after which he retired. Following Al, the gracious Virginia couple of Jim and Allison Lee were presented their award for a career that spanned from the early 60's through the end of the 1982 season, and they certainly lived up to their cars name of "Great Expectations". The next honoree was Bob Larivee Sr. who was one of the founders of the Michigan Hot Rod Association and creator of the International Show Car Association, the International Auto Show Producers Association, and Promotions Inc. that originated the well-known Detroit Autorama. Next was Art Malone, who aside from his legendary career as a drag racer and track operator, also drove the
famous Novi cars in the Indy 500 and set a world record closed course speed record at the Daytona International Speedway. Another honoree was Bill Smith whose cars won races in sprint cars, NASCAR, modifieds, super modifieds, drag racing, along with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Bonneville Salt Flats. All this while operating the largest supplier of auto racing and street rod parts called Speedway Motors, which he opened in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1952. Last but certainly not least was Georgia's own contribution to motorsports and the world, the First Lady of Auto Racing, Miss Linda Vaughn who was honored with the Spotlight Award. Linda is known in every segment of the auto racing world as her role as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, in addition to her tireless work in many charities and efforts visiting our military forces throughout the world.
Saturdays activities resumed at the rack track with qualifying and time trials, highlighted by Joe Jacono, at age 70, coming out of retirement to drive the famous "Rollin' Stoned" 1973 Cuda funny car. Joe began his career in 1955 racing all up and down the east coast and the Midwest in both alcohol and fuel cars laying waste left and right to big time competition while setting many records including the first driver to clock an ET of 6.59.
Saturday evenings night session of Top Fuel qualifying was concluded with Linda Vaughn atop the Hurst Golden Shifter Oldsmobile, taking bows and blowing kisses to the crowd down the length of the track. Following Linda, a group of 20 cars were push started from the far end of the strip for the famous "Cacklefest". These included the Tennessee Bo-Weevil and the beautiful English Leather Corvette funny cars, the Ventura Motors AA/SR, the Hills Brothers Willys, the Freight Train Top Gas dragster, the Howard Cams Rattler, the Jade Grenade, the Frantic Four Top Fuel dragster with its headers glowing cherry red, and last, Big Daddy himself in one of his beautiful restored Swamp Rat Dragsters. Needless to say, this was a thrill to everyone, and its safe to say that not all the tears in the crowd were caused by the nitro fumes.
I, along with my fellow contingent from GeorgiaDragRacing.com, David Dilbeck, Fred Simmons and Bob Beasley would like to thank Bob Daniels, Sam Jackson, Greg Sharp and Steve Gibbs from N.H.R.A and Michael Hollander and Bill Groak with Pacific Communications Group for making all this possible and would strongly urge all of you fans to put this event at the very top of your priority list for next year.
Photos
by Ed Miles
Take nostalgic drag racing with Top Fuel, Supercharged Gassers, Funny Cars, Super Stocks, Altereds, and Stocks, and combine with display cars back to the earliest years of drag racing, and surround that with over 1200 entries of street rods custom cars, classic cars, antique cars, muscle cars; mix in various DJ booths spinning the oldies music, add a swap meet for classic and racing parts, a live stage show featuring The Diamonds, along with shaded riverside camping for over 500 spots, next to a full amusement park with rides and games for all ages, have a continuous cruising with cars from all the eastern segment of the U.S. and you truly have something for everyone. That was the setting June 18 through June 20, 2004 at the Second Annual NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion at Bowling Green, Kentucky.
I did not think last years' Inaugural event could have been topped, but through the hard work of The Wally Parks N.H.R.A. Museum, along with Holley and Dupont Automotive Finishes, two companies with over 100 years of experience, this years event far surpassed last year. Friday nights' program at the University Plaza Hotel Convention Center Ballroom began with Dave McClelland as Master of Ceremonies. Bowling Green Mayor Sandy Jones welcomed everyone, stayed for the entire program and then got into the spirit of things as she sat in the cockpit of the Weekly-Fox-Rivera-Holding Top Fuel Dragster as it was fired up at the main entrance of the convention center.
Al Bergler who campaigned the famous competition coupe "More Aggravation", the funny car "Motown Shaker" and many other cars led the presentations. He was car owner for the car Butch Maas drove on the Coca-Cola Cavalcade Match Race Circuit during the 1972 season and returned as driver again in 1973, after which he retired. Following Al, the gracious Virginia couple of Jim and Allison Lee were presented their award for a career that spanned from the early 60's through the end of the 1982 season, and they certainly lived up to their cars name of "Great Expectations". The next honoree was Bob Larivee Sr. who was one of the founders of the Michigan Hot Rod Association and creator of the International Show Car Association, the International Auto Show Producers Association, and Promotions Inc. that originated the well-known Detroit Autorama. Next was Art Malone, who aside from his legendary career as a drag racer and track operator, also drove the
famous Novi cars in the Indy 500 and set a world record closed course speed record at the Daytona International Speedway. Another honoree was Bill Smith whose cars won races in sprint cars, NASCAR, modifieds, super modifieds, drag racing, along with the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Bonneville Salt Flats. All this while operating the largest supplier of auto racing and street rod parts called Speedway Motors, which he opened in Lincoln, Nebraska in 1952. Last but certainly not least was Georgia's own contribution to motorsports and the world, the First Lady of Auto Racing, Miss Linda Vaughn who was honored with the Spotlight Award. Linda is known in every segment of the auto racing world as her role as Miss Hurst Golden Shifter, in addition to her tireless work in many charities and efforts visiting our military forces throughout the world.
Saturdays activities resumed at the rack track with qualifying and time trials, highlighted by Joe Jacono, at age 70, coming out of retirement to drive the famous "Rollin' Stoned" 1973 Cuda funny car. Joe began his career in 1955 racing all up and down the east coast and the Midwest in both alcohol and fuel cars laying waste left and right to big time competition while setting many records including the first driver to clock an ET of 6.59.
Saturday evenings night session of Top Fuel qualifying was concluded with Linda Vaughn atop the Hurst Golden Shifter Oldsmobile, taking bows and blowing kisses to the crowd down the length of the track. Following Linda, a group of 20 cars were push started from the far end of the strip for the famous "Cacklefest". These included the Tennessee Bo-Weevil and the beautiful English Leather Corvette funny cars, the Ventura Motors AA/SR, the Hills Brothers Willys, the Freight Train Top Gas dragster, the Howard Cams Rattler, the Jade Grenade, the Frantic Four Top Fuel dragster with its headers glowing cherry red, and last, Big Daddy himself in one of his beautiful restored Swamp Rat Dragsters. Needless to say, this was a thrill to everyone, and its safe to say that not all the tears in the crowd were caused by the nitro fumes.
I, along with my fellow contingent from GeorgiaDragRacing.com, David Dilbeck, Fred Simmons and Bob Beasley would like to thank Bob Daniels, Sam Jackson, Greg Sharp and Steve Gibbs from N.H.R.A and Michael Hollander and Bill Groak with Pacific Communications Group for making all this possible and would strongly urge all of you fans to put this event at the very top of your priority list for next year.
Photos
posted by David @ 2:12 AM
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