Here’s the Top 10 must- see and -do things at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Here’s the Top 10 must- see and -do things at the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21 at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

1. Readers of NHRA’s National Dragster voted it their Favorite Race Car ever. The Justice Brother’s Car Care Products chose it for the Spotlight Award and Revell just re-released a model of it. It’s the Stone, Woods & Cook ’41 Willy’s Gasser, of course. You can see both the first, Swindler II, and last, Swindler A, at the at the Justice Brothers display in the Midway.

2. While the S,W&C Gasser was a reader’s favorite, many hold the Mooneyham & Sharp 554 fuel altered ’34 Coupe in equally high regard. The 554 car appears courtesy of Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, Ocala, Florida. Don, who celebrates 60 years in drag racing, will be on hand signing autographs and talking to his fans.

3. Join us at the Holiday Inn University Plaza at 7:00 pm on Friday, June 19 for the free Honoree Reception and say hello to Grand Marshall Darrell Gwynn and honorees: Jerry Baltes, Bob Creitz, Amy Faulk, Vance Hunt and Chuck Nelson.

4. Saturday, June 20, at sundown is the time to see dozens of vintage, front-motored race cars push started and fired up just like they used to be in the day. The Cacklefest is a sight and sound guaranteed to bring tears to your eyes. Expect to see Larry Dixon Sr. in his old Smirnoff car and Jr. in his dad’s ride The Rattler.

5. You may have seen the Renegade/Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum vintage dragster display at several NHRA National events but 2009 is the first year for the display at Beech Bend.  The vehicles change for each venue so be sure to visit the trailer which also contains vintage drag racing images from the museum’s archives.

6. Hauling in from Detroit will be the Dynamat/Hub Garage vintage dragster display comprising the late Larry Crane’s Gang Green Top Fuel dragster, Ed Golden’s Probe III Top Fueler and Al Bergler’s More Aggravation Comp Coupe.

7. Dynamat has kindly sponsored a new area at the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion where you can meet and greet with our Grand Marshall Darrell Gwynn, our honorees and other legends of drag racing. Located in the oval, close to the Reunion Central tent, the Dynamic Legends VIP/media area will be open throughout the weekend to all Reunion visitors.

8. Thursday night’s ribbon cutting ceremony and cruise sponsored by Heacock Classic Insurance takes place adjacent to the Holiday Inn University Plaza at 5 pm. Afterwards, there’ll be a short cruise taking in some of the more interesting sights in Bowling Green including a cool vintage restored gas station where you can have your picture taken with you and your vehicle.

9. This year’s Education Day is sponsored by Heacock Classic Insurance.

10:00 am – Noon:

A Career in Motorsports: Hosted by Tony Thacker, Executive Director, Wally Parks NHRA Motorpsorts Museum and Joe Mondello, President Mondello Tech Center.

Automotive Design and the Hot Rod: Hosted by Ed Golden, Chief Designer, Ford Motor Co., owner Probe III vintage Top Fuel dragster.

1-3:00 pm:

Carburetors: New Fuel Issues and New Tools with Holley Performance: Hosted by Shane Weckerly and Jay McFarland, Holley Performance product managers.

Collector Car Insurance Issues: Hosted by Ford Heacock, President Heacock Classic.


10. This year, for the first time ever, the popular Mopar HEMI Challenge will be a part of the Reunion race program as the first of only three scheduled events. Expect to see a strong field of eight second, 160 mph cars including a new ’68 Barracuda from 2008 Series Champion Charlie Wescott Jr.

For more information about tickets, call 1-800.884.6472 or, visit our web site at museum.nhra.com
 

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