June 19-21, 2009 - Bowling Green, KY: Under some of the worst of conditions Troy Green driving the potent High Speed Motorsports top fueler, captured an unprecedented 5th Top Fuel win in the seven year history of the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion. Under thee days of very hot, very humid Kentucky skies, Green went low in all three rounds of qualifying and ultimately capped the weekend with a thrilling pedalfest with Denver Schutz in the Cullen & Schutz Raisin Express 2.

Green left first by a bunch leaving Schutz to play catch-up. After a crisp 1.01 60' time, the HSMS car lifted the front wheels and soon drifted out of the groove. It was then that Green earned his title as "driver". After two attempts to stabilize the car and return to the groove, Green went into heavy tire smoke. Getting out of the throttle he noticed that he could not hear Schutz so, assuming correctly that Denver was having troubles too, Troy drove back into the throttle and legged it to the finish line several cars ahead of Schutz. Arguably the most exciting final in NHRR history.

MUCH MORE TO COME VERY SOON

06-10-09: 2008 Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Nostalgia Top Fuel Champions Highspeed Motorsports is excited to announce a new partnership with The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids beginning this Father's Day weekend at the 7th National Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

"Adoption is something that is very closed to my heart, as my wife Lara and I are in the process of adopting our little girl Ava Claire." stated HSMS driver Troy Green, "We are very excited about being able to bring awareness about adoption to as many people as we can. There are nearly 129,000 foster children available for adoption in the United States. We would like to help these children find forever families."

The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids is an organization that recruits and connects foster and adoptive families with waiting children throughout the United States. Highspeed Motorsports is honored to work with AdoptUsKids to help achieve these goals by providing information to interested families and increasing awareness of the need for families for children here in the United States.

"It is a pleasure and a joy to have this opportunity to partner with Highspeed Motorsports to recruit families for the children who are in foster care across the states," remarks Stephanie Johnson Pettaway,Recruitment Campaign Fulfillment Director with The Collaboration to AdoptUsKids.

For more information please visit AdoptUsKids.org or at Highspeedmotorsports.com - or just stop by their pit at the next race!

O’Reilly Raceway Park, 6/14/09 - The unsettled Midwest spring weather claimed ultimate victory at the Goodguys 21st Hot Rod Nationals at O’Reilly Raceway Park. As the funny cars of finalists Paul Romine and Shawn Bowen were backing up from their burnouts, the rains started to fall and progressively worsened forcing a cancellation of all final rounds.

The fastest class of them all, Nostalgia Top Fuel, was simply dominated by the Fresno, California based “Raisin Express II” team of Jim Cullen, Denver and Darren Schutz. Using Darren’s tuneup, Schutz’ set low elapsed time of every round, the quickest of which was a 5.837 in Saturday’s opening eliminations. In fact, every run they made here this weekend was in the 5.8 second zone with zero parts breakage! In the final, Schutz was to face the 2007 event Champion Howard Haight.

In Nostalgia Funny Car, Romine had an eventful weekend behind the wheel of his “Man O’ War” ’79 Mustang. After getting shut off behind the starting line on his first qualifying run and breaking a rotor in the distributor on his second lap, he finally got it together for a first round win over Peter Gallen then ran the event’s quickest and fastest time of 5.960 @ 237.21 in the semi finals to defeat John Dunn.

Since all classes were down to finals when the rains came, each class was declared a draw. The next vintage drag racing event on the Goodguys 2009 event calendar is the 8th DuPont Blue Suede Cruise August 28-30 at Summit Motorsports Park in Norwalk, OH.

June 03 2009: Marvin "Marv" Rifchin - no one can adequately convey what this one man single handedly contributed to the sport drag racing. He was in a class by himself. At the tender age of 94 Marv left us to join his long time M&H Tire partners Harry Rifchin and Ernie Hashim. Marv had one hell of a run at this deal and has left a legacy second to none. Few people in any endeavor can truthfully lay claim to the fact that they initiated a paradigm change, not once but again and again! Such a man was Marvin Rifchin. He was a man of fierce independence, loyal to his friends and he never stopped working to make things, specifically racing tires, better. He had been in and out of the hospital the last few months with a long list of old age related medical problems, but his brain was still sharp to the end. He will surely be missed.

He is survived by a daughter Debbie, her husband Bill and two grandchildren.

Marv Rifchin
1915 - 2009

BOWLING GREEN, KY. No less than seven All American Fuel Dragsters teams will be making the trek to the 2009 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21, 2009, at Beech Bend Park. In its 7th year, the NHRR is now considered one of the premier nostalgia events in the country and consistently draws sell out crowds to this historic facility.

Making the long trip from the West will be the reigning NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series top fuel champion, Troy Green and the High Speed Motorsports car. Joining Green will be Adam Sorokin in the Champion Speed Shop - RB Entertainment Chevy powered "Batmobile", Brendan Murry and his Running Wild Racing Arias powered fueler, Rick Rogers in Butch Blair's "Fugowie" and Denver Schutz in the Cullen & Schutz "Raisin Express 2" digger.

Alan Aroneck and Jim Didio will field their New York based "Nitro Diction" fueler along with the Iowa based "Orange Crate" of Dale and Kat Surh driven by Roger "Radar" Lechtenberg.

Add in non AAFD members and this promises to be the largest top fuel field ever contested in the events history. Add in full fields of many other classes and a huge contingent of cacklecars and you have one outstanding weekend at the races.

Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472). Questions can also be sent via email to themuseum@nhra.com.

Boise, Idaho… The 39th edition of the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor Nitro Opener presented by Dan Wiebold Ford took place at Firebird Raceway on May 2nd and 3rd. Unseasonably wet weather didn't damper the spirits or performance of three of the premiere Fuel Dragster teams in the country.

A tradition at the Ignitor for the past thirty-nine years, the Nitro Knockout presented by Stinker Stores has featured everything from Fuel Altereds to Fuel Funny Cars to AA/Fuel Dragsters dating back in time. For the seventh consecutive year, the Nostalgia Top Fuel cars were given an opportunity to take center-stage on Saturday and Sunday of the event. The race was aligned with the NHRA Division 6 Lucas Oil Drag Race Series. Everything from Comp to Super Street was staged as part of the opening stop in the Northwest Division.

Jim Murphy led qualifying with his new WW2 Fueler running a very fine 1,100' foot effort of 5.83-223.49. The intermediate numbers were plenty stout at 1.03 (60'), 3.85 (660') and a half track speed of 203.48. Mike McLennan was second in the debut of Mike Fuller's brand spankin' new car at 6.06-244.43 (after a 6.08 in the opening stanza). Brett Harris was uncharacteristically third at 12.86 following a couple of runs that were troubled very early on.

In round one, Mike McLennan upset the March Meet winning "Nitro Thunder" Dragster of Brett Harris in a 5.95-251.88 (top speed of the meet) to 6.39-227.56 duel. Murphy then followed with low e.t. of the meet, running a booming 5.75-227.10 (second quickest in Firebird history) in near perfect air. With the race surface in perfect condition (along with temps in the 60's), his intermediate times were superb at 1.02 (60'), 3.83 (660') and 207 and change at the eighth mile.

In the Sunday afternoon final, McLennan narrowly held off Murphy in a wild race. Driving the Mike Fuller Motorsports all-metal finished dragster, McLennan ran 6.77-190.15 to beat a boundary (centerline) crossing Murphy, who finished at 6.80-176.36 after smoking the tires right at the launch under heavy cloud cover as temps had dropped to 56 degrees. The race was finished just moments before the skies broke loose with heavy rainfall. Incredibly enough, it was learned in a post-race interview that McLennan had his butterfly wheel come off the shaft midway thru his final round run, forcing him to pull the chute early, very fortunate the car stayed straight.

Congratulations to Mike McLennan and Mike Fuller for taking home the NHRA Wally trophy and to the three teams who supported this year's Opener at Firebird.

Rod and Kulture Dragfest - Bakersfield, May 1-3: The Neal & White "bracket car" was the quickest Top Fueler on the grounds by a bunch with a 5.76 and two 5.79s. Complete story and photos coming soon.

Related story: The Champion Speed Shop is back in South City from the Rod and Kulture Dragfest with a best yet 5.96-second elapsed time and 235 miles per hour run. Read all about the weekend action and check out some more photos from the big show over at the Champion Speed Shop. Next stop - Bowling Green, Kentucky for the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion on Father's Day Weekend June 19th-21st.

Kentucky can expect a nitro-infused stimulus package during the Reunion, June 19-21, 2009

BOWLING GREEN, KY. "Staycation" is the buzz word as more families are expected to attend the 7th Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21, 2009, at Beech Bend Park. This June, make it a family affair at the annual 3-day vintage drag race festival and save some money, too.

"The Reunion offers family fun at always affordable pricing. Individual tickets are only $20 on Friday and Saturday and admission is free for kids 15 and under for an entire day of racing and family entertainment. And, on Sunday it's only $15" said event organizer Tony Thacker, Executive Director of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum which produces and benefits from the event. "Compare that to NASCAR racing where tickets can run about $90 a piece."

Since its inception in 2003, the Reunion has brought in more than $14 million to the local economy with attendees spending on everything from hotel rooms, gas and food to auto parts and much more. Jobs, income and economic activity are generated each year as motorsports fans, racers and hot rodders attend the event - one of the largest on the Bowling Green calendar.

"There's no better place to enjoy old-school drag racing and hot rodding than at the annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion," says Marketing Director of Holley Performance Products Bill Tichenor. "We're so happy that this event is back in our home town and we can give it the attention it needs."

New this year will be a free on-site educational seminar for attendees. Also, stop at the Holley Race Trailer, by the start line, and take the opportunity to get your mechanical questions answered by the Holley pros. While there check out all the new products from the famous Holley brands including Earl’s, Hooker Headers, Weiand, FlowTech and NOS.

"We're excited to be back in Bowling Green and happy to be pumping some much needed dollars into the Bowling Green community," continued Thacker. "We're all for giving back. We use local labor and purchase and rent from local business where ever possible."

"From drag racing for dads and shopping for moms to carnival rides for the kids, the Reunion is such a popular event because it offers a little bit of everything for everyone," said Vicki Fitch, Executive Director of the Bowling Green Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "We're looking forward to hosting the Reunion once again, and local businesses are getting ready to give a warm Bowling Green, Kentucky welcome!"

Along with low-price tickets, Reunion organizers anticipate a larger turnout thanks to the low cost of fuel. Also, the falling price of racing fuel, especially nitromethane, used by "fuel" cars will also help make the event affordable for the racer. So pile up the station wagon, fill up the tank, and see you at the Reunion! We're easy on the pocket.

The 7th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21 at Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Ky., is a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, the Reunion is part of the museum's "living history" philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture. Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, customs, classics and pickups.

Three-day spectator credentials purchased in advance ($55 each) receive significant added value including a "goodie" bag, souvenir reunion program, dash plaque and a commemorative laminated credential. And remember, every ticket is a pit pass. An extra bonus this year is the convenience of purchasing advance credentials online at http://store.nhra.com through May 29, 2009.

Prices are inclusive of all fees, so no additional charges will be added to the published price at online checkout. Admission is free for kids 15 and under accompanied by a credentialed adult. Credentials are also available by phone at 800/884-NHRA (6472). Single-day tickets will be sold at the gate each day of the event. Again, children 15 and under are free when accompanied by a paying adult.

The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:

* Hot Heads vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport's most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Nostalgia Top Fuel, Nostalgia Funny Car, AA/Gas Eliminator A/Fuel Eliminator, Nostalgia Eliminator and others.
* Show 'n Shine, presented by SoffSeal, with more than 1,500 gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars, classics, pickups, muscle cars and old school rods.Â
* Thursday night ribbon cutting ceremony and cruise sponsored by Heacock Classic Insurance.
* Reunion Reception, held at the Holiday Inn University Plaza's Sloan Convention Center ballroom on Friday evening, June 19. Free to everyone, it's a tribute to the Reunion's Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing's heroes.
* Meet the Reunion's Grand Marshal, honorees and other legends at the Dynamic Legends VIP Tent, sponsored by Dynamat, all weekend long at the track.
* Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the "old days."
* Renegade Cacklefest display at the track.
* Reunion Midway filled with manufacturer and commercial exhibits.
* A huge Swap Meet of used parts and automotive treasures.
* A separate amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park (separate admission fees apply).

Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472). Questions can also be sent via email to themuseum@nhra.com.

A portion of the Holley Hot Rod Reunion proceeds benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Parks Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

GLENDORA, Calif. (March 23, 2009) - NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series officials announced today that a third event at Sacramento Raceway has been added to the 2009 schedule, while a new affiliate event has been added at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. In addition, it was announced today that the Top Fuel class has been dropped from the Las Vegas Speed Spectacular.
The Top Fuel class event that was dropped from The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway event in May will be replaced by a new event on the schedule -- the 40th annual Governor's Cup event at Sacramento Raceway, Sept. 18-19. The Las Vegas Speed Spectacular will continue to present points-earning competition for Groups 1 and 2.

"Due to difficulty in obtaining sponsorship for both the Top Fuel purse and the proper promotion of that category, we feel that it is in our best interest to further develop this event with Group 1 and 2 categories," said Chris Blair, vice president of racing operations, Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "We welcome any nostalgia groups that promote Top Fuel, Funny Car and exhibition category racing to join us for this event and we will work with them and their class supporters to further grow the sport.

"We hope that once the current economic situation improves we can take a major step forward to secure an event sponsor and feature both professional nostalgia nitro classes at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway."

While the Governor's Cup will feature a variety of classes, including Jet Funny Cars and Dragsters, Outlaw Pro Mods, Drag Bikes, CIFCA Funny Cars, 7.0 Pro, Top Eliminator, Top Sportsman, four Doorslammer Gas classes and the Big Bucks ET class, only competitors in Nostalgia Top Fuel can earn points toward the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series championship.

The Governor's Cup event will be the third NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series event for the drag strip located in the California capital city. The track also hosts the Nitro Nite of Fire, June 26-27 and the WCTA Fremont Reunion, July 10-11.
"We're extremely excited about the event and the Heritage Series coming to Sacramento Raceway," said Dave Smith, owner and operator of Sacramento Raceway. "The March Meet was a great event this year and we can't wait to get those guys up here for the Governor's Cup."

1/21/2009

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Top drivers from every era of NHRA drag racing, the first woman to win an NHRA division championship and the inventor of the tire-screeching burnout make up the Honorees for the 2009 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion on June 19-21 at Beech Bend Raceway Park, Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Grand Marshal - Darrell Gwynn

Selected as one of NHRA’s all-time Top 50 Drivers, Florida’s Darrell Gwynn won 28 national events in a short ten year career. At age 18 he was runner-up in Pro Comp at the U.S. Nationals. He scored ten wins in Alcohol Dragster before moving up to Top Fuel at age 23. In March, 1990 Gwynn made the quickest run in drag racing, at the time 4.90. Just weeks later, he crashed at England’s Santa Pod Raceway changing his life forever. He was paralyzed from the chest down and lost part of his left arm. Even while recovering, he changed roles to team owner where his car scored 14 victories. He is dedicated to the cure of paralysis and maintains a very active schedule of public speaking, technical consulting and enjoying life with his wife and daughter.

Jerry Baltes

Beginning his drag racing career in 1951 at Paradise Mesa near San Diego, Jerry Baltes raced for over two decades. He worked his way up from gas coupes, through altereds to a gas dragster, then in 1962 to Top Fuel. He made it to number 3 on the Drag News Top Ten List, set an NHRA speed record, won the 1964 World Series of Drag Racing at Cordova, and finished number 2 in 1964 NHRA points. After a crash ended his driving career in 1967, he fielded the Tom and Jerry Mustang Funny Car as a member of the Coca-Cola Cavalcade of Stars. He has recently restored his 1964 Top Fuel car for Cacklefest events.

Amy Faulk

Experienced in Stock, Super Stock and Competition eliminator categories, Amy Faulk was the first woman to win a national event in Alcohol Dragster and the first woman to win an NHRA division championship. In 1979 Faulk won the Super Stock national championship and in 1980 was elected to Car Craft Magazine’s All-Star team. In addition to her racing career, Amy has held management roles in the automotive aftermarket and currently serves as the chief administrative officer of Hypertech. She has served on the SEMA Board of Directors, was named SEMA’s Person of the Year in 1996, and is a member of the SEMA Hall of Fame.

Chuck Nelson

Chuck Nelson has been NHRA’s South Central Division Tech Director since the position was created nearly a half century ago. Nelson’s dedicated career began at the NHRA Nationals in Oklahoma City in 1958. He was selected by NHRA founder Wally Parks to be just one of nine attendees at the first official NHRA rules meeting in 1959. When he began, the racers had to build everything themselves, and he’s seen the tech side of the sport evolve into cars that are professionally manufactured. Nelson says, “You learn every day because the racers keep you on your toes. I keep trying to retire but Craig (Div. 4 Director Craig Hutchinson) won’t let me.”

Bob Creitz

Known as an engine wizard, the inventor of the burnout and the most prominent Top Fuel racer in Oklahoma, Bob Creitz was a member of the unofficial group of hard-core fuel racers known as the “Greek Fleet”. Creitz’s cars have been runners-up at the ’67 Winternationals, made the first six-second pass in NHRA Nationals history, and at the PDA meet at Orange County in 1968 won the last 64-car Top Fuel show ever held. He won the inaugural PHR Championships in 1969 and runner-upped at the ’72 Supernationals. He has restored his last front engine fueler for Cacklefest events.

Vance Hunt

A name synonymous with Top Fuel racing in the southwest from 1960 to 1971 is Vance Hunt. As an owner/tuner, the Arlington, Texas racer fielded a long series of dragsters driven by Ed Mabry, J.L. Payne, Ted Arnold, Jerry Ellis, and Watus Simpson. Hunt began racing in the late ’40s at “any place we could.” Fuel racing beckoned in 1960, and with J.L. Payne driving Hunt defeated both Don Garlits and Chris Karamesines for the Number One spot on the Drag News Mr. Eliminator list and won the ’62 AHRA Nationals. In his final season he even briefly raced a Mustang Funny Car. In recent years he’s remained active as a tuner on nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters.

About the 7th Annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion

The 7th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, June 19-21 at Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., is a 3-day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. Produced by the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California and located in Pomona, Calif., the Reunion is part of the museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.

Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of fast drag cars, hot rods, street rods and cool customs.

Purchase credentials online at www.museum.nhra.com, click on “Reunions”. Those purchasing their credentials at least three weeks before the event receive significant added value including a “goodie” bag, Reunion program, commemorative dash plaque and a colorful and collectible plastic souvenir credential. Tickets are also available by phone at 800/884-NHRA. Advance ticket sales close on May 29, 2009. Individual tickets are available day-of the event. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:

* Hundreds of classic cars kick off the opening ceremonies for the 7th Holley National Hot Rod Reunion with the Heacock Classic Cruise In.
* Hot Heads Eliminations NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some of the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes as Nostalgia Top Fuel, Funny Car, Altereds, Supercharged Gassers, Classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and others.
* Street rod “Show ’n Shine,” presented by SoffSeal, with thousands of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars, classics and muscle cars.
* “Memory Lane” will have a display of nostalgic race cars.
* National Hot Rod Reunion Honoree Reception, held at the at the Holiday Inn University Plaza Hotel and Sloan Convention Center Ballroom on Friday evening, June 19. Open to everyone at no charge, it’s a tribute to the Reunion’s Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing’s heroes.
* Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the “old days.”
* The Swap meet and Reunion Midway filled with manufacturer exhibits and demonstrations
* Make a pit stop at the Dynamic Legends VIP Tent, sponsored by Dynamat, where fans can get autographs, photos or just chat with this year’s Honorees during the entire weekend at the Midway.
* A separate amusement park and water park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the park.

Information, including a full activities schedule, entry forms and tickets, is available through the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com or by calling 1-800-884-NHRA (6472). Questions can also be sent via email to themuseum@nhra.com.

A portion of the Holley Hot Rod Reunion proceeds benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. Named for the founder of the National Hot Rod Association, the Parks Museum presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California houses the very roots of hot rodding. Scores of famous vehicles spanning American motorsports history are on display, including winning cars representing 50 years of drag racing, dry lakes and salt-flat racers, oval track challengers and exhibits describing their colorful backgrounds.

For Museum information, call 909/622-2133 or visit http://museum.nhra.com.

Official publication of AAFD