The second day of the 17th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance did not disappoint as fans experienced non-stop action on and off the track. Qualifying orders were set for the 16 categories competing at this event and legends of drag racing were honored.
Grand Marshal Randy Walls along with fellow 2019 Reunion Honorees including Army Armstrong, Steve Earwood, Art Marshall, Richard Maskin and Paul Smith, took part in autograph sessions with fans, meet-and-greets and other activities throughout the day.
In Nostalgia Top Fuel, current world champion Mendy Fry piloted her High Speed Motorsports dragster to the No. 1 position with a run of 5.546-seconds at 242.28 mph in the final qualifying round.
“That was about as good as it gets,” said Fry. “My crew chief, Tom Shelar has got it flat figured out. It really makes my job a lot easier.”
In Nostalgia Funny Car, Jeff Arend remains in the top spot with his pass of 5.816 at 248.80 in his California Hustler Trans Am. Competition fields were set for the more than 400 drag racers competing this weekend.
As racing drew to a conclusion on the track, the Honoree Reception at the National Corvette Museum in Bowling Green kicked off for a fabulous evening to recognize these honorees and celebrate their contributions to the sport of drag racing. Various hot rods, customs and Cacklefest cars are also on display at this one-of-a-kind reception.
The excitement continues on Saturday for the final day of the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion as fans will experience event more heart-pounding competition followed by the popular Cacklefest. Gates open at 8:00 am. Tickets may be purchased at the gate. Children 15 and under are free with a paid adult.
The Holley National Hot Rod Reunion provides a unique opportunity to meet these and other notable individuals, hear stories of racing’s past and collect an autograph or even a selfie with one of your heroes while enjoying the sights and sounds of one of America’s national pastimes. 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.
***BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — Saturday’s first-round pairings for eliminations for the 17th annual Holley 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, 5.546, 242.28 vs. 8. Julius Hughes, Horton, 6.226, 247.61; 2. Jim Young, FED, 5.689, 257.33 vs. 7. Tim Cullinan, Steffens, 6.217, 147.39; 3. Jim Murphy, Neil & Parks, 5.733, 246.66 vs. 6. Joey Haas, 6.028, 225.48; 4. Adam Sorokin, Sterling, 5.776, 207.18 vs. 5. Tyler Hilton, Horton, 6.003, 245.58.
Nostalgia Funny Car — 1. Jeff Arend, Trans Am, 5.816, 244.74 vs. 4. Eric Stevens, Camaro, 6.930, 136.03; 2. Dan Horan Jr., Camaro, 5.985, 245.58 vs. 3. John Smith, Challenger, 6.094, 213.84.
NHRA PR
