BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - The final day of the 2014 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance took place at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Saturday and once again dazzled all of those in attendance during the three days.
The culmination of this festive of the car culture featured nostalgia quarter mile drag racing, the awarding of the Axalta Coatings and Show 'N Shine car show winners as well as the Cacklefest featuring dozens of nitro-fueled vintage dragsters.
In the Nostalgia Top Fuel finals, it was Tony Bartone adding another chapter to his impressive resume when he defeated Jim Young. Bartone made a pass of 5.77 seconds at 254.91 mph to the trailing run of 6.046 at 229.20.
In the other categories raced during the weekend, Ken Hawkins won in Jr. Fuel, Michael Sexton won 7.0 Pro, Ross Laird took home the top spot in 7.5 Pro. In Competition Eliminator Don Nave was the winner, Buddy Wray took the title in Gas Eliminator and Kerry Williams was the Modified Eliminator champion. Nostalgia Super Stock was secured by Mike Moss, Chad Mahlosky won top Stock Eliminator with Terry Lindsey winning the Hot Rod Eliminator category. John Gray took home the title in the Geezer Gasser category.
The deserving winners of the car show were presented their awards following the conclusion on racing on Saturday. The winners were:
Memory Lane - Bill Klein and Bob Bilbow in the 1960 Lynwood Welding Special dragster Timeless Tradition - Tom & Zoe May for their 1932 Coupe Killer Kustom - Billy Voe & Susan Porter for a 1950 Mercury Dynamat Pick - Larry Hill in a 1957 Ford Custom 300 Best Shine & Detail - Bill & Susan Townsend 1963 Chevy II Nova Sport Coupe Grand Marshall - James and LeAnn Robinson 1953 Victress (Bonneville Runner) Honorees Pick - Dave Verschave for his 1955 Chevrolet Best Paint Award - Dan Duff and his 1956 Chevrolet Most Uninsurable - Bill Henry in a 1941 Willy Early Iron - Ben & Regina Smith in a 1931 Model A Hot Rod Thrilling 30's - Dave Pennington 1933 Ford Tudor Fabulous 40's - Dave & Pat Stadnicki in a 1940 Black Standard Finest 50's - Jim Jackson for the 1957 Chevy 2-Door Hardtop Belair Sensational 60's - Chris Tetzlafy for a 1963 Chevy Impala Super 70's - Roger Price for his 1970 Chevy Chevelle Director's Award - Scott McCallum in a 1932 2-Door Sedan Chevrolet Period Correct - Tim Shahan for a 1967 Shelby One of a Kind - Tom Manner in a 1933 Dodge Pickup Dazzling Deuce - Bob Bore in a 1932 Ford Pickup Mighty Muscle - Mick Price in a 1969 Yenko Camaro
The night concluded with the sounds of American muscle cars and the smell of nitro with the Cacklefest taking place on the drag strip in front of the rabid fans. The sounds of the motors echoed strong under the covered grandstands as all the cars came to life to give this event the proper close it fittingly deserved.
'The Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance in Bowling Green was once again a tremendous success for that that were involved,' said Steve Gibbs, event director. 'Here in Bowling Green, and at each of the Hot Rod Reunions, along with the NHRA Motorsports Museum we are fortunate to experience the stories of our colorful past. The telling and retelling of these stories is a tribute to the faith, courage and ingenuity of the pioneers who, at the wheels of their hot rods, spread the gospel of speed across America.'
Friday
Passing morning showers gave way to sunshine and fast cars at the second day of the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Friday.
During the course of a busy day the legends of many forms of motorsports were honored during the multifaceted event. Grand Marshal George Poteet as well as many of the other honorees took part in a meet and greet at the Dynamat Legends tent for an autograph session, which let them meet the fans during the day.
Those in attendance were also able to tour the extensive swap meet area and hunt for that exclusive part to continue their build of a classic car. The facility was also awash of classic cars that gleamed bright under the summer sun.
The racing action didn't disappoint those who wanted to see the finest quarter mile nostalgia drag racing on the historic track. The covered grandstands were full of fans that came to see some of the finest historic cars speed down the surface.
Among the categories racing, Nostalgia Top Fuel thrilled the fans during qualifying and 42-time national event winner and 1996 Alcohol Funny Car champion Tony Bartone rocketed to the top of the qualifying sheet to earn the No. 1 qualifying position. His run of 5.830 at 228.31 narrowly eclipsed the run of Dave Hirata from Friday.
Other categories taking to the track were 7.0 Pro with Billy Smith leading the field at 7.012 at 218.78 and leading the time sheet in 7.5 Pro was David Secrest at 7.514 at 177.14 mph. Junior Fuel was led by Ken Hakins with a run of 7.355 at 179.93.
The evening concluded at the Hot Rod Reunion Reception, which honored George Poteet and all the legends at the Holiday Inn University Plaza.
The final day of action at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance continues Saturday with gates opening at 8 a.m. each day. Tickets are $25.
Thursday
The 2014 NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance opened up with a day of classic cars, nostalgic quarter-mile drag racing and numerous interactive displays at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Thursday. The three-day event pays tribute to the love affair America has with the car culture and celebrates the passion of the owners and their machines.
'The first day of the event was a tremendous success for all of those involved with the NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance.,' said Steve Gibbs, event director. 'The residents of Bowling Green and the surrounding areas have welcomed us with open arms once again and we are excited for another tremendous event.'
The gates opened at 8 a.m. and spectators as well as show cars flowed into the historic facility to start the day. Cars of every make, model and paint scheme filled the grounds as the owners proudly displayed their cars, which rival any work of art.
The quarter mile nostalgia drag racing also was on tap for those who love the smell of burning rubber and have a need for speed. Hot Heads Eliminator qualifying and exhibition runs thrilled the fans during the afternoon. Nostalgia Top Fuel took center stage and Dave Hirata led the field after the first round of qualifying. His run of 5.843 seconds at 254.71 mph earned him the current No. 1 qualifying position.
Other categories taking to the track were 7.0 Pro with Steve Knopp from Salem, Ind., leading the field at 7.013 at 214.86, and leading the time sheet in 7.5 Pro was Darrell Wathen at 7.541 at 179.06.
The evening concluded at the Holiday Inn Convention Center with the free cruise inn and celebration where thousands of car buffs of all ages filled the parking lot.
The action at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance continues on Friday and Saturday with gates opening at 8 a.m. each day. Tickets are $25 per day and can be purchased at the track.
The following are Thursday's qualifying results from the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum 12th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance:
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
1) Dave Hirata, Lowell, Ind., dragster, 5.843 seconds, 254.71 mph
2) Tony Bartone, Long Island City, N.Y., dragster, 5.955, 236.80
3) Jim Young, Salem, Wis., dragster, 6.287, 201.73
4) Roger Lechtenberg, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, dragster, 6.849, 159.21
5) Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., dragster, 10.406, 88.46
JUNIOR FUEL
1) Ken Hawkins, Kiefer, Okla., dragster, 7.438 seconds, 179.68 mph
2) Brian Briggs, Lake Charles, La., dragster, 7.522, 175.55
3) Mike Millsap, Sachse, Texas, dragster, 7.580, 173.29
4) Odie Coker, Dallas, Texas, dragster, 7.792, 176.17
5) Mike Buchanan, Goddard, Kan., dragster, 8.666, 157.25
AA/GAS SUPERCHARGED
1) Jeff Cryan, Cheektowaga, N.Y., '33 Willys, 5.550 seconds, 122.77 mph
2) Steve Crook, Berea, Ohio, '56 Chevy, 5.696, 122.89
3) Ted Turley Jr., Middleburg Heights, Ohio, '33 Willys, 5.780, 120.65
4) Micky Hale, Ashtabula, Ohio, '48 Austin, 5.825, 118.53
5) Edward Kasicki, Aurora, Ohio, '33 Willys, 5.846, 119.86
6) Bones Balogh, Long Beach, Calif., '33 Willys, 6.135, (no speed)
7) Alan Borowski, West Seneca, N.Y., '51 Anglia, 6.346, 113.10
8) Fred Bear, Kill Devil Hills, N.C., '33 Willys, (no time)
7.0 PRO
1) Steve Knopp, Salem, Ind., dragster, 7.0, 7.013 seconds, 0.013 (over index)
2) George Reidnauer, Bechtelsville, Pa., '78 Corvette, 7.0, 7.046, 0.046
3) Robbie Freels, Island, Ky., dragster, 7.0, 7.085, 0.085
4) Steve Walczak, Rochester, N.Y., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 7.086, 0.086
5) Tony Lombardi, Niles, Ohio, dragster, 7.0, 7.124, 0.124
6) John Slagle, Pittsburgh, Pa., dragster, 7.0, 7.127, 0.127
7) Michael Sexton, Bloomington, Ind., dragster, 7.0, 7.138, 0.138
8) Billy Smith, Pickerington, Ohio, dragster, 7.0, 7.144, 0.144
9) Larry Harlan, Rockport, Ind., '48 Anglia, 7.0, 7.204, 0.204
10) Gordon Horn, Rockport, Ind., '63 Corvette, 7.0, 7.511, 0.511
7.5 PRO
1) Darrell Wathen, Utica, Ky., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.541 seconds, 0.041 (over index)
2) Steve Matthews, Marietta, Okla., dragster, 7.5, 7.574, 0.074
3) Wayne Sears, Middletown, Ohio, '99 Spitzer, 7.5, 7.577, 0.077
4) Ross Laird, Ardmore, Okla., dragster, 7.5, 7.578, 0.078
5) Jarrod Bradshaw, Owensboro, Ky., dragster, 7.5, 7.603, 0.103
6) Randall Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '57 Chevy, 7.5, 7.610, 0.110
7) Dave Waters, Wildwood, Mo., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.652, 0.152
8) Derek McCuistion, Bradford, Ohio, dragster, 7.5, 7.661, 0.161
9) Pat Freels, Island, Ky., '66 GTO, 7.5, 7.663, 0.163
10) Chris Graves, Carrollton, Texas, dragster, 7.5, 7.780, 0.280
GAS ELIMINATOR
1) Kenny Robinson, Greentown, Ind., '67 Fairlane, E/G, 10.006 seconds, 0.006 (over index)
2) Greg Hillyer, Plainfield, Ind., '66 Mustang, E/G, 10.029, 0.029
3) Rob Davis, Lawrenceburg, Ind., '67 Nova, B/G, 8.536, 0.036
4) Dan Hobbs, Hawesville, Ky., '56 Thunderbird, B/G, 8.539, 0.039
5) Ron Beach, Crawfordsville, Ind., '71 Dodge, E/G, 10.041, 0.041
6) Butch Hill, Ballwin, Mo., '53 Studebaker, B/G, 8.543, 0.043
7) John Ridings, Springfield, Ill., '71 Chevelle SS, C/G, 9.047, 0.047
8) Jerry Wilson, Indianapolis, Ind., '63 Corvette, B/G, 8.554, 0.054
9) Buddy Wray, Martinsville, Ind., '67 Nova SS, D/G, 9.564, 0.064
10) Doug Dougherty, Washington, Ind., '69 Camaro, C/G, 9.069, 0.069
MODIFIED ELIMINATOR
1) Bill Bakhaus, Whitmore Lake, Mich., '57 Chev, C/M, 11.003 seconds, 0.003 (over index)
2) Donald Stewart, Gerald, Mo., '62 Falcon, F/M, 12.506, 0.006
3) Pete Alles, Clarksville, Ind., '63 Fury, A/M, 10.022, 0.022
4) John Cadreau, Valley Station, Ky., '67 Camaro, C/M, 11.026, 0.026
5) Brian Dunnigan, Mooresburg, Tenn., '72 Plymouth, B/M, 10.531, 0.031
6) Clyde Dunphy, Pleasant Plains, Ill., '72 Mustang, B/M, 10.543, 0.043
7) Dick Luzader, Triadelphia, W.V., '61 Falcon, B/M, 10.545, 0.045
8) Dennis Decker, Elizabethtown, Ky., '62 Polara, B/M, 10.551, 0.051
9) Randy Bennett, Stockbridge, Ga., '64 Rambler, C/M, 11.069, 0.069
10) Greg Quinn, Tupelo, Miss., '52 Henry J, B/M, 10.569, 0.069
NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK
1) Dale Meers, Buffalo, Ky., '67 Belvedere, A/NSS, 10.013 seconds, 0.013 (over index)
2) Neal Broyles, Beech Bluff, Tenn., '69 Dart, B/NSS, 10.516, 0.016
3) Jan Niceswanger, Newark, Ohio, '65 Coronet, B/NSS, 10.517, 0.017
4) Kenny Gresham, Granite City, Ill., '62 Chev, C/NSS, 11.020, 0.020
5) Bill White, Demotte, Ind., '65 Chevelle, AAA/FX, 8.772, 0.022
6) Mick Alles, New Albany, Ind., '64 Belvedere, C/NSS, 11.027, 0.027
7) Barry Camp, Monroe, Ga., '66 Biscayne, A/FX, 9.283, 0.033
8) Bruce Sammit, Evansville, Ind., '66 Biscayne, B/NSS, 10.544, 0.044
9) Bob Mosher, Elmurst, Ill., '67 Fairlane, C/NSS, 11.048, 0.048
10) Jim Netherland, Columbia, Tenn., '67 Buick, B/NSS, 10.551, 0.051
TOP STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) John Garner, Lexington, Tenn., '69 Road Runner, E/S, 12.006 seconds, 0.006 (over index)
2) Chris Cowles, Bowling Green, Ky., '70 Nova, E/S, 12.010, 0.010
3) Robert Akers, Louisville, Ky., '72 Duster, D/S, 11.535, 0.035
4) Larry Fleming, Franklin, Ky., '70 Cuda, G/S, 13.137, 0.137
5) Mike Gore, Goodlettsville, Tenn., '66 Cuda, D/S, 11.639, 0.139
6) Donnie Beeler, Elizabethtown, Ky., '67 Camaro, C/S, 11.139, 0.139
7) John Hamer, Labadie, Mo., '67 Plymouth, E/S, 12.160, 0.160
8) Thomas Arnett, Greenville, Ky., '69 Camaro, B/S, 10.679, 0.179
9) Roy Dean, Bloomville, Ohio, '67 Belvedere, H/S, 13.698, 0.198
10) Robin Brown, Madisonville, Ky., '66 Chevy II, A/S, 10.217, 0.217
HOT ROD ELIMINATOR
1) Bill Foster, Hanover, Pa., '70 Chevelle, 8.898 seconds, 148.59 mph
2) Mike Ryan, Cottage Hills, Ill., '66 Chevelle, 9.196, 141.70
3) Jimmy Bridges, Nashville, Tenn., '65 Corvette, 9.201, 146.67
4) Kenny Pease, Dyersburg, Tenn., '62 Nova, 9.254, 139.91
5) Joe Janes, Desoto, Mo., '69 Nova, 9.265, 141.61
6) Danny Scheele, Crump, Tenn., '48 Ford, 9.279, 122.93
7) Rick Seeba, West Alton, Mo., '55 Chevy, 9.283, 143.37
8) Eddie Barcello, Temecula, Calif., '66 Malibu, 9.389, 144.13
9) Terry Lindsey, Bowling Green, Ky., '67 Camaro, 9.406, 140.65
10) Brent Fey, Harned, Ky., '69 FED, 9.509, 135.65
GEEZER GASSERS
1) Chuck Lipka, Eureka, Mo., '41 Willys, B/GG, 10.066 seconds, 0.066 (over index)
2) Gary Raber, Royal Palm Beach, Fla., '40 Ford, D/GG, 11.082, 0.082
3) Wayne Stine, Vermontville, Mich., '40 Willys PU, C/GG, 10.622, 0.122
4) Jerry North, Scottsburg, Ind., '41 Willys, B/GG, 10.132, 0.132
5) Rod Urish, McLouth, Kan., '48 Anglia, B/GG, 10.146, 0.146
6) Bill Sworm, Rockfield, Ill., '41 Willys, D/GG, 11.162, 0.162
7) Dan Tackett, Saucier, Miss., '39 Ford, B/GG, 10.178, 0.178
8) Randy Addington, Redkey, Ind., '37 Chevy, C/GG, 11.198, 0.698
9) Kirk Dupre, Dover, N.H., '41 Willys, E/GG, 12.216, 0.716
10) Jesse James, Waterloo, Wis., '40 Willys, C/GG, 11.222, 0.722
COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Tim Reis, Cleves, Ohio, '93 Ridgerunner, C/C, 9.005 seconds, 0.005 (over index)
2) Gary Haynes, Columbia, Mo., '65 FED, C/C, 9.044, 0.044
3) Dave Cox, Dacula, Calif., '32 Ford, E/C, 10.055, 0.055
4) Brett Edwards, Lincoln, Ill., '29 Ford, C/C, 9.056, 0.056
5) Justin Herbst, North Platte, Neb., dragster, B/C, 8.561, 0.061
6) Darrell Eakle, Fairdale, Ky., dragster, A/C, 8.076, 0.076
7) Bill Fuesting, Waukegan, Ill., '48 Fiat, B/C, 8.586, 0.086
8) Don Nave, South Whitley, Ind., '12 Lake City, B/C, 8.591, 0.091
9) Ed Masminister, Cincinnati, Ohio, '10 Hatcreek, C/C, 9.092, 0.092
10) Audrey Worm, Grantville, Pa., '10 Dragster, C/C, 9.209, 0.209