EVENT COVERAGE - HOLLEY HOT ROD REUNION, BOWLING GREEN, KY.

Sun, 2018-06-17 14:00

CHAMPIONS CROWNED DURING LAST DAY OF HOLLEY NATIONAL HOT ROD REUNION PRESENTED BY AAA INSURANCE 
 
The Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance came to a stunning conclusion as the racing champions were crowned as well winning cars that took part in the Axalta Show N’ Shine during the weekend. 
 
In the Nostalgia Top Fuel finals, it was the two top qualifiers of the event as No. 1 Mendy Fry faced No. 2 Don Moyer. When the lights went green Moyer had the initial jump but went out of the groove at halftrack allowing Fry to drive around him for her first win at the event with a run of 5.720-seconds at 252.05 mph to the losing run of 5.841 at 256.26. Leaving the event Fry is the new points leader in the Nostalgia Top Fuel category. 
 
“Tom (Shelar, owner/tuner) had a bracket car all day and he knows how to read this track,” said Fry. “It was 150 degrees, greasy, and he gave me a car that could win. I didn’t screw anything up and we won.” 
 
Nostalgia Funny Car featured Dan Horan Jr. and John Smith in the finals. Smith suffered a wheel stand early in the run allowing Horan to streak to the victory with a run of 5.881 at 216.27 to the trailing run of 11.902 at 52.34. 
 
“This was one of my fathers favorite places to come with his front engine car and we lost him in 2016,” said Horan. “We decided to have a new Murf (McKinney) car built, it was finished a week ago, my guys went to his shop, put it together, and hauled it here. Here we are in the winners circle. Pretty emotional to win on Father’s Day weekend.” 
 
In the other categories raced during the weekend, Robbie Freels won 7.0 Pro, Kelly Freels Key took home the top spot in 7.5 Pro. In Competition Eliminator Pat Lamont was the winner, John Treesh took the title in Gas Eliminator and Doug Duell was the Top Stock Elimination winner. Modified Eliminator was captured by Dennis Breeden, Hot Rod Eliminator was won by Bob Westhoff and Kurt Neighbor took home top honors by Nostalgia Super Stock. Don Moyer won in Geezer Gassers, Jeff Cryan was victorious in Scottrods AA/Gas and in 348/349 Eliminator it was Timothy Tassmer. 
 
The top 25 cars in the Axalta Show ‘N Shine were honored during the day in a presentation during the course of the afternoon including a lap down the track. The top 25 cars were:
1. Paul Pyles, 1972 Chevy C-10
2. Rex Thenot, 1955 Chevy 210 2 Door Post
3. Daniel Rupp, 1967 Pontiac GTO
4. Rickey Ransome, 1965 Chevy Corvette 
5. Clyde and Catherine Dunphy, 1969 Ford Mustang
6. Bob Kirst, 1946 Ford Coupe 
7. Craig Grunkemeyer, 1967 Chevy Corvette
8. Don Hoover, 1955 Chevy 2 Door Post
9. Joe Jones, 1955 Chevy Belair
10. Jeff and Lisa Munford, 1970 Chevy Camaro 
11. Donnie and Linda Rottler, 1971 Dodge Dart
12. Jeff Spencer, 1957 Chevy Belair 
13. Rick and Ladonna Wahl, 1966 Chevy Panel truck
14. Ben Coffman, 1934 Ford pickup 
15. Jeff Crouch, 1923 Ford T Bucket 
16. Bill Rowe, 1964 Dodge Polara
17. James Eaton, 1969 Olds 442 Convertible 
18. Daniel Rockwell, 1968 Mercury Cyclone 
19. Mike Henry, 1932 Ford Roadster 
20. Walt Hensel, 1933 Ford Vicky
21. Jim Hooker, 1935 International Pickup 
22. Bubba and Lisa Craig, 1955 Chevy Nomad
23. Ted Novick, 1937 Desoto 
24. Lynn Cane, 1937 Fiat 
25. Dana and Dennis Jones, 1941 Studebaker 
 
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.
 
 
 
Saturday's final results from the 16th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway. 
 
Nostalgia Top Fuel -- Mendy Fry, Hadman, 5.720, 252.05 def. James Young, FED, 5.841, 256.26. 
 
Nostalgia Funny Car -- Dan Horan Jr., Camaro, 5.881, 216.27 def. John Smith, 11.902, 52.34. 
 
7.5 PRO -- Kelly Freels KEY, Bantam, 7.539, 172.56 def. Dan McWhirter, Bantam, 7.575, 175.25. 
 
7.0 PRO -- Robbie Freels, Canode, 7.015, 191.19 def. Billy Smith, Holt, 7.011, 186.38. 
 
Nostalgia Super Stock -- Kurt Neighbor, Comet, 9.861, 114.59 def. Butch Cassady, Dart, 12.681, 105.42. 
 
Comp Eliminator -- Pat Lamont, Chevy, 8.252, 139.75 def. Stan Hunter, Bantam, 10.019, 123.70. 
 
Modified Eliminator -- Dennis Breeden, Plymouth, 10.661, 94.13 def. Greg O Quinn, Henry J, Foul - Red Light. 
 
ScotRods -- Jeff Cryan, Willys PU, 5.682, 113.39 def. Mark Benjamin, Willys, 6.181, 111.71. 
 
Hot Rod Eliminator -- Bob Westhoff, Ford, 10.476, 124.95 def. Johnny Matthews, Comet, 11.581, 113.52. 
 
6.0 -- Mike Taylor, Taylor, 11.108, 105.68 def. Barrie Young, Camaro, 17.944, 48.48. 
 
Geezer Gassers -- Don Moyer, Willys, 11.676, 114.90 def. Joe Bush, Willys, Broke. 
 
Top Stock Eliminator -- Doug Duell, Barracuda, 10.489, 123.35 def. Rick Winchester, Corvette, Foul
- Red Light. 
 
Gas -- John Treesh, Corvette, 10.629, 94.02 def. Kenny Robinson, Fairlane, 17.197, 69.79. 
 
348/409 -- Timothy Tassmer, Wagon, 12.367, 112.45 def. James Schrader, Chevy, Foul - Red Light. 
 

LEGENDS OF DRAG RACING HONORED AT NHRA HOLLEY NATIONAL HOT ROD REUNION PRESENTED BY AAA

Legends of the sport of drag racing were honored on Friday at the second day of the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway Park on Friday. The racing action also didn’t disappoint as qualifying and time trials concluded at the historic track. 

Grand Marshall Larry Lombardo along with the 2018 honorees including Jay Howell, Bo Laws, Ed Miller, Joe Williamson, and Greg Xakellis were honored during the day. The legends in attendance took part in autograph sessions, talked with the fans, and were involved with meet and greats during the afternoon. 

The evening concluded with the Honoree Reception at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green. Various hot rods, customs, and Cacklefest cars were on display as the legends were celebrated during the evening. 

The fields were set in the on track action as the covered grandstands were full of fans who came to see some of the finest historic cars speed down the racing surface. In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Mendy Fry rocketed to the No. 1 position with her first past on Friday with a run of 5.680-seconds at 241.11 mph. In Nostalgia Funny Car Shawn Bowen retained the No. 1 position with his run of 5.874 at 241.80. 

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. Tickets are $25.


Saturday's first-round pairings for eliminations for the 16th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway. Pairings based on results in qualifying, which ended Friday.

Nostalgia Top Fuel -- 1. Mendy Fry, Hadman, 5.680, 241.11 vs. 8. Julius Hughes, Horton, 6.368, 242.02; 2. James Young, FED, 5.798, 254.90 vs. 7. Jason Greenwood, Stirling, 6.101, 243.24; 3. Adam Sorokin, Sterling, 5.824, 222.36 vs. 6. Brendan Murry, Rooman, 5.950, 213.91; 4. Dusty Green, Neil & Parks, 5.891, 242.19 vs. 5. Tim Cullinan, NTF, 5.904, 239.53.

Nostalgia Funny Car -- 1. Shawn Bowen, Camaro, 5.874, 241.80 vs. Bye; 2. Dan Horan Jr., Camaro, 5.923, 245.14 vs. 5. Eric Stevens, Camaro, 6.476, 170.06; 3. Greg Jacobsmeyer, Challenger, 6.078, 233.96 vs. 4. John Smith, 6.287, 197.48.

 

YOUNG LEADS FIRST-DAY QUALIFYING IN BOWLING GREEN

The 2018 NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance roared to life with an action packed day featuring classic cars, nostalgic quarter-mile drag racing, and legends of the sport 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 opening day of the weekend was one that was enjoyed by all who attended during the course of a busy day,” said Larry Fisher, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. “The facility and the surrounding areas are filled with classic hot rods and we enjoy the support of the residents of Bowling Green.”

The gates opened at 8 a.m. and show cars of numerous makes and models flooded into the facility and were on display to the spectators during the day.

The quarter mile nostalgia drag racing action was also on tap for the fans of intense racing action. Nostalgia Top Fuel took center stage and James Young led the field after the first round of qualifying. His run of 5.798-seconds at 254.90 mph earned him the current No. 1 qualifying position. The Nostalgia Funny Car category was led by Shawn Bowen at 5.874 at 241.80.

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 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance is a memorable three-day gathering catered to car culture lovers. The fan-favorite event features quarter-mile nostalgia nitro drag racing, cars of numerous makes and models on display, a sprawling vendor area, and the famous Cacklefest® that concludes the event.

The Hot Rod Reunions are produced by the NHRA Motorsports Museum and benefit the facility located in Pomona, Calif. The NHRA Motorsports Museum is a 501c (3) non-profit institution. The Museum’s mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on American culture. The Museum collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets the vehicles, stories and artifacts that represent America’s affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms.

Thursday's results after qualifying for the 16th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway. Qualifying will continue Friday for Saturday's final eliminations.

Nostalgia Top Fuel -- 1. James Young, FED, 5.798, 254.90; 2. Tim Cullinan, NTF, 5.968, 204.51; 3.
Adam Sorokin, Sterling, 6.182, 222.36; 4. Jason Greenwood, Stirling, 6.228, 225.11; 5. Brendan Murry, Rooman, 6.381, 180.91; 6. David Miller, Neil & Parks, 6.417, 166.11; 7. Julius Hughes, Horton, 6.553, 189.63; 8. Paul Schultz, Stirling, 8.060, 116.21. Not Qualified: 9. Tyler Hilton, 10.401, 80.13; 10. Mendy Fry, broke.

Nostalgia Funny Car -- 1. Shawn Bowen, Camaro, 5.874, 241.80; 2. John Smith, 6.790, 143.03; 3. Eric Stevens, Camaro, 6.843, 141.25; 4. Dan Horan Jr., Camaro, broke.
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