2021 CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION - EVENT PAGE

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Third-generation drag racer Drew Austin carried on the family tradition of winning big as he claimed his first career California Hot Rod Reunion Funny Car title, beating Jerry Espeseth in the final round at Famoso Raceway, located outside of Bakersfield, Ca.

Joining Austin were Dan Horan Jr. (Top Fuel), Ed Marx (Pro Modified), and Randy Bradford (Fuel Altered).

Austin, who entered eliminations as the No. 11 qualifier, opened with a victory over Geoff Monise. In what was a huge stunner, unleashed low elapsed time of the event in the second round, a 5.548, 260.11 to beat Billy Morris. Austin "backed-up" to a 5.639 to beat Horan's much-quicker 5.582.

“We knew we had a good car,” Austin told Bakersfield.com. “We ran it a few times and dynoed it. We knew it was good. You can make as much power as you want but getting down the track is the trick.

“My dad (Pat) definitely figured that out today. Luck was on our side today and it was a lot of fun.”

Austin again left first in the final round and led Espeseth to the stripe for a 5.636 to 5.663 victory.

Horan was in total control of the Top Fuel division as he started from the No. 1 qualifying position and easily handled Brendan Murry in the first round and then Tyler Hilton in the semis. He then overcame a significant holeshot from Adam Sorokin in the final round.

Horan was likely racing his final Top Fuel event as told Bakersfield.com that he plans to transition the dragster driving role over to his son Ryan.

Marx entered Pro Modified eliminations as the No. 2 qualifier and then scored wins over Eric Petersen, Josh Kalish before getting a bye run into the final round. He then strapped a .002 light on Karl Wilson and led him to a 5.950 to 5.968 victory.

In Fuel Altered, Bradford beat Shawn Callen for the CHRR title.

Sportsman winners included Kin Bates (A/Fuel), Don Enriquez (Jr. Fuel), Kevin Ropozo (7.0 PRO), Mike Molea (AA/GS), Ray Padget (A/Gas), Kris Dollinger (B/Gas), Chris Rea (C/Gas), Dan Fournier (D/Gas), Ed Silbermann (Nostalgia Eliminator-1), Sam Tucker (Nostalgia Eliminator-2), Lindsey Lister (Nostalgia Eliminator-3), Larry Warne (Hot Rod), and Mike Rogers (Hot Rod).

SATURDAY - HORAN KEEPS TOP SPOT IN DRAGSTERS AS FC CLASS CATCHES UP TO COTTRELL AT CHRR

Dan Horan remained atop the Nostalgia Top Fuel category qualifying at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca. Bobby Cottrell also held down his top spot in the Funny Car division as well. Other professional top qualifiers included Nick Van Horn (Fuel Altered) and Jeremy Hanger (Pro Modified).

Horan's 5.610 elapsed time remained considerably ahead of the second quickest qualifier Brett Williamson, who ran a 5.756. Adama Sorokin, outside of the field following Friday's lone session, jumped to third with a 5.820. Brandon Murry anchored the eight-car field with a 6.309.

The Funny Cars, one of two professional divisions to get in the first round on Saturday, spent much of the day trying to keep pace with Cottrell, who reeled off a 5.632 elapsed time to dispose of NHRA Camping World Series competitor Terry Haddock easily. Billy Morris came away with low elapsed time of E1 with a 5.615 to dispose of James Day. Tony Jurado was the only other 5.6-second player with a 5.638 to beat second-generation drag racer Justin Taylor. Also advancing into Sunday's quarter-final round were Jerry Espeseth (Chris Davis), Dan Horan (Don Knoblouch), Drew Austin (Geoff Monise), Cory Lee (Rian Konno), and Matt Melendez (Kamaka Pocock).

Hanger had an easy draw in the first round of Pro Modified eliminations but didn't take it easy as he had a competition bye run into the quarters with a 5.899, 208.07. Other winners included Karl Wilson, Sean Renteria, Josh Kalish, Dan Meyers, and Ed Marx.

The Fuel Altered division was led by Nick Van Horn, who ran a 5.948 at 252.47 miles per hour.

For complete results, including sportsman competition, visit BAKERSFIELD EVENT PAGE.

FRIDAY - HORAN, COTTRELL LEAD DAY ONE CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION QUALIFYING

FRIDAY PHOTO GALLERY

Bobby Cottrell and Dan Horan ended first-day nitro qualifying at the California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca.

There was a log-jam of '69 Camaros at the top of the Nostalgia Funny Car qualifying list.

The quickest of them was driven by Cottrell, behind the wheel of the Bardahl-sponsored Camaro, thundered to a 5.609 elapsed time at 254.76 miles per hour. His run came in the first session.

Dan Horan, who is pulling double-duty this weekend, was second quickest with a 5.614, 256.70. His run came in the Friday evening session.

Billy Morris was third with a 5.635.

Jeff Gregory sits on the bubble with an off-pace 8.343. There are 18 Funny Cars that have made qualifying runs with just one session to go.

Horan might have been chasing first place in the Funny Car division, but he was at the top of the game in the Nostalgia Top Fuel program.

Horan set the pace early with a 5.610 elapsed time at 260.51 miles per hour to establish a significant advantage over No. 2 Tyler Hilton, who turned in a 6.024 effort.

Tyler Hester sits on the bubble with an 8.043 elapsed time with Adam Sorokin on the outside.

There are two sessions left for the Top Fuel division, while the Funny Cars have one more and will roll into eliminations, Saturday afternoon.

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2021 CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION - EVENT PAGE