NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Racing took center stage during the final day of the 2017 Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway Park as eliminations took place in each of the categories. 

Jim Murphy took the win in Nostalgia Top Fuel defeating James Young in the thrilling final round. Murphy was in his fifth consecutive final round but had yet to tally a win in over two years. 

His dragster is tuned by legendary crew chief Roland Leong who kept the car going rounds during the day. Murphy trailed at the start of the run but was able to get around Young with a winning run of 5.713-seconds at 257.33 mph to the trailing run of Young at 5.920 at 253.56. Murphy, the 2013 Nostalgia Top Fuel champion, celebrated his birthday on Monday and takes the win as a belated present. 

“The win is a monkey off my back as we kept having fluke things happen and it was one thing after another,” said Murphy. “We won this race in 2013 and went on to win the championship so maybe this will be an omen and we are leading the points now moving up from second.”

Winners in the other racing included Don Nave in 7.0 Pro, Darrell Wathen in 7.5 Eliminator, Nostalgia Super Stock was Doug Duell, Competition Eliminator was won by Skeeter Wayne, Top Stock Eliminator was John Meinelt, Modified Eliminator was Larry Key, the Gas Eliminator winner was Pat Freels, 348/409 Eliminator winner was Bryan Fugate, Hot Rod Eliminator was won by Chad Brewer, and Geezer Gassers was won by John Swiek.

The event closed with the famous Cacklefest as dozens of nitro burning machines came to life in a celebration of the history of the sport. Full grandstands at Beech Bend Raceway Park cheered the cars as flames leapt from the pipes of the nostalgic machines. 

Also honored during the day were the winners of the Axalta Show 'N Shine that took place during the three-day event. Winners in each of the categories were: 

Best Shine & Detail: Dan Duffy, 1956 Chevy 210
Memory Lane: Kevin Dolittle, Willy’s Pickup 
One of a kind: Lowell Groom, ’63 VW Beetle Funny Car
Grand Marshall: Linda and Ralph Miller, 1930 Ford Tudor
Killer Kustoms: Truman & Wanda Morgan, ’55 Chevy Bel Air convertible
Dazzelin’ Deuce: Erik & Oksana Hansen, ’32 Ford Fordor Sedan
Director’s Choice: Mike Whitney, ’32 Black Highboy Roadster
Dynamat Pick: George Poteet, 1950 Ford Coupe
Trick Truck: Trent Blue, ’49 Chevy Pickup 
Timeless Tradition: Mark Watson, ’32 Ford Roadster
Thrilling ‘30’s: Linda & Ralph Miller, 1930 Ford Tudor
Fabulous ‘40’s: Ted Novicki
Finest ‘50’s: Kevin Burt, ’55 Chevrolet “Resurrected”
Sensational ‘60’s: Zach Straits, ’61 Galaxie
Super ‘70’s: Gary Buckies, ’71 Camaro Custom
Push Car: Dan Shaw, ’32 Ford Pickup
Street Rod: Oscar Gamble, 1932 Ford 3 Window
Mighty Muscle: Jeff Mumford, 1970 Chevy Camaro
Most Uninsurable: ’49 Plymouth Ratrod
Period Correct: Jeremy Dorlac, ’30 Model A

***

NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
Jim Murphy, Neil & Parks, 5.713, 257.33  def. James Young, FED, 5.920, 253.56. 

7.0 PRO
Don Nave, Lake City Chs, 8.982, 95.66  def. Ernie Lipinski, Neil & Parks, Foul - Red Light. 

7.5 PRO
Darrell Wathen, Willys, 7.495, 172.70  def. Jeffrey Ferguson Jr., Spitzer, 7.488, 169.17. 

NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK
Doug Duell, Plymouth, 9.503, 138.33  def. Diana Bookout, Chevelle, 9.998, 134.32. 

COMP ELIMINATOR
Skeeter Wayne, Chevy, 9.498, 127.90  def. Bart Boles, Young, Foul - Red Light. 

TOP STOCK ELIMINATOR
John Meinelt, Camaro, 11.684, 98.45  def. Frankie Riggs, Cuda, 12.409, 113.90. 

MODIFIED ELIMINATOR
Larry Key, Chevy II, 12.320, 87.46  def. Greg Carta, Camaro RS, 22.375, 32.78. 

348/409
Bryan Fugate, Impala SS, 11.472, 118.58  def. Dave Coots, Impala, Foul - Red Light. 

GAS ELIMINATOR
Pat Freels, Camaro, 10.091, 129.92  def. Dan Hobbs, Thunderbird, 8.632, 156.86. 

GEEZER GASSERS
John Swiek, Chevy CPE, 10.060, 129.14  def. Dustin Corn, Corvette, Foul - Red Light. 

HOT ROD ELIMINATOR
Chad Brewer, Nova, 10.825, 118.41  def. Bear Nichols, Nova, 10.375, 125.02.

FRIDAY

The second day of the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway Park was a day filled of honoring the legends of racing at the scenic facility.

Grand marshal Eileen Daniels took part in events during the course of the day including the honoree’s reception. Daniels was recognized for her decades long dedication to racing and her passion for the Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance.

The event honoree’s were also included in the presentation including the Hilton family, Danny and Wayne Jesel, Randy Payne, Mark Williams, and Della Woods.

Nostalgia quarter-mile racing took to the track during a busy day and the fields are set for eliminations on Saturday. In Nostalgia Top Fuel James Murphy is the No. 1 qualifier heading into the eight-car elimination field with his pass of 5.618-seconds at 260.36 mph. Jim Murphy is second, Mendry Fry is third and Tony Bartone is in the fourth position. First round of eliminations are set to begin at 1 p.m. 

Tickets for the final day of the 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion® presented by AAA Insurance are $25 at the gate and children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. 

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

The following are Friday's final qualifying results from the NHRA Motorsports Museum 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance:

NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
1) James Young, Salem, Wis., '07 FED, 5.618 seconds, 260.36 mph
2) Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., '13 Neil & Parks, 5.692, 239.61
3) Mendy Fry, Los Angeles, Calif., '16 Hadman, 5.697, 244.65
4) Tony Bartone, Long Island City, N.Y., '16 Mckinney, 5.727, 243.68
5) Adam Sorokin, Glendale, Calif., '04 Sterling, 5.881, 185.21
6) Dusty Green, Pleasant Hill, Calif., '06 Neil & Parks, 5.911, 245.45
7) David Miller, Cedar Hill, Mo., '05 Neil & Parks, 6.040, 192.63
8) Tyler Hilton, Sharonville, Ohio, '12 Horton, 6.109, 235.93
9) Jason Greenwood, Racine, Wis., '10 Stirling, 6.238, 241.80
10) Julius Hughes, Gainesville, Ga., '11 Horton, 6.281, 241.20

NOSTALGIA FUNNY CAR
1) Paul Romine, Fishers, Ind., '79 Mustang, 5.824 seconds, 248.93 mph
2) Greg Jacobsmeyer, Florissant, Mo., '70 Challenger, 6.034, 232.63
3) Anthony Bronge, Belvidere, Ill., '79 Corvette, 6.093, 222.47
4) Bazz Young, Pleasant Prairie, Wis., '69 Camaro, 7.553, 129.11

AA/FUEL ALTERED
1) Randy Bradford, Camano Island, Wash., '37 Fiat, 6.367 seconds, 209.65 mph
2) Ron Hope, Franklin, Tenn., '32 Bantam, 6.375, 208.75
3) Nick Davies, Oxfordshire, England, '32 Bantam, 6.460, 223.84
4) Vince Generalao, Las Vegas, Nev., '23 Ford T, 6.558, 206.04

7.0 PRO
1) Michael Sexton, Bloomington, Ind., '07 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.016 seconds, 0.016 (over index)
2) Ernie Lipinski, Willmar, Minn., '10 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.025, 0.025
3) Don Nave, South Whitley, Ind., '12 Lake City Chs, 7.0, 7.067, 0.067
4) Gordon Horn, Rockport, Ind., '63 Chevy, 7.0, 7.070, 0.070
5) Larry Harlen, Rockport, Ind., '48 Anglia, 7.0, 7.073, 0.073
6) Ron Huegli, Wilsonville, Ore., '76 Monza, 7.0, 7.115, 0.115
7) Robbie Freels, Island, Ky., '94 Canode, 7.0, 7.143, 0.143
8) Jacob Breerman, Rockport, Ind., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 7.506, 0.506
9) Steve Walczak, Rochester, N.Y., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 6.979, -0.021

7.5 PRO
1) Tyler Allen, Manchester, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.5, 7.504 seconds, 0.004 (over index)
2) Jeffrey Ferguson Jr., Byhalia, Miss., '02 Spitzer, 7.5, 7.529, 0.029
3) Jeff Wilkerson, Athens, Ala., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.537, 0.037
4) Bo Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '23 Model T, 7.5, 7.540, 0.040
5) Bruce Hacker, Seagrove, N.C., '15 S & W, 7.5, 7.546, 0.046
6) Steve Matthews, Marietta, Okla., '70 Woody Gilmore, 7.5, 7.565, 0.065
7) Darrell Wathen, Utica, Ky., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.603, 0.103
8) Todd Campbell, Hamilton, Ohio, '03 Schafer, 7.5, 7.626, 0.126
9) Don Moore, Hamilton, Ohio, '72 FED, 7.5, 7.677, 0.177
10) Darrell Eakle, Fairdale, Ky., '14 FED, 7.5, 7.700, 0.200

COMP ELIMINATOR
1) Wade Nunnelly, Brandon, Fla., '23 T Altered, A/C, 8.010 seconds, 0.010 (over index)
2) Jeff Lawson, Lexington, Ky., '27 Model T, B/C, 8.516, 0.016
3) Scott Shiffler, Woodstock, Ga., '65 Woody Gilmore, C/C, 9.020, 0.020
4) Bart Boles, Slaughters, Ky., dragster, A/C, 8.030, 0.030
5) Jim Slovak, Lambertville, N.J., '66 Don Tuttle, C/C, 9.032, 0.032
6) Joe Moore, Covington, La., '23 T Altered, D/C, 9.544, 0.044
7) Glenn Lever, Rochester, N.Y., '10 Rooman, A/C, 8.073, 0.073
8) Alex Schmid, St Cloud, Minn., '15 FED, C/C, 9.090, 0.090
9) Stan Hunter, Nashville, Tenn., '32 Bantam, D/C, 9.600, 0.100
10) Russell Snyder, Memphis, Tenn., '23 T Altered, A/C, 8.122, 0.122

MODIFIED ELIMINATOR
1) Heath Shemwell, Trenton, Ky., '69 Camaro, B/M, 10.507 seconds, 0.007 (over index)
2) Shay Smith, Louisville, Ky., '57 Chevy WGN, C/M, 11.009, 0.009
3) Ken Morris, Camden, Ohio, '41 Chevy, F/M, 12.515, 0.015
4) Tim Birmingham, Cincinnati, Ohio, '66 Chevelle, C/M, 11.025, 0.025
5) Dennis Breeden, Plainville, Ind., '68 Plym GTX, A/M, 10.026, 0.026
6) Greg Carta, Franklin, Ky., '67 Camaro RS, B/M, 10.527, 0.027
7) Sam Yeater, Glenville, Pa., '70 Maverick, A/M, 10.027, 0.027
8) Roger Plate, Muncie, Ind., '67 Nova, A/M, 10.028, 0.028
9) Jody Blalock Jr., Jefferson, Ga., '47 Hudson, A/M, 10.032, 0.032
10) Joe Candela, O{fallon, Mo., '70 Dart, C/M, 11.034, 0.034

GEEZER GASSERS
1) Don Moyer, Mentor, Ohio, '40 Willys, E/GG, 11.025 seconds, 0.025 (over index)
2) Bill Ziel, Santa Rosa Beach, Fla., '41 Willys, C/GG, 10.029, 0.029
3) Randy Addington, Redkey, Ind., '37 Chevy, E/GG, 11.062, 0.062
4) John Swiek, Dayton, Ind., '37 Chevy CPE, C/GG, 10.064, 0.064
5) Gary Raber, Royal Palm Beach, Fla., '40 Ford Coupe, E/GG, 11.112, 0.112
6) Greg Porter, Greenville, S.C., '55 Chevy, A/GG, 9.116, 0.116
7) Frankie Allen, Covington, La., '33 Willys, A/GG, 9.160, 0.160
8) Robert Walker, Chattanooga, Tenn., '57 Belair, E/GG, 11.194, 0.194
9) Bill Sworm, Rockfield, Ill., '41 Willys, D/GG, 10.700, 0.200
10) Chuck Lipka, Eureka, Mo., '41 Willys, C/GG, 10.243, 0.243

NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK
1) Clay Kossuth, Catawissa, Mo., '63 Coronet, A/NSS, 10.005 seconds, 0.005 (over index)
2) Jim Netherland, Columbia, Tenn., '67 Buick GS, B/NSS, 10.510, 0.010
3) Jimmy Gower, Leitchfield, Ky., '65 Skylark, E/NSS, 12.011, 0.011
4) Dave Schultz, Richmond, Texas, '63 Plymouth, C/NSS, 11.023, 0.023
5) Al Wilson, Bell Buckle, Tenn., '60 Belvedere, E/NSS, 12.031, 0.031
6) Mike Moss, Paducah, Ky., '66 Biscayne, A/NSS, 10.037, 0.037
7) Pete Alles, Clarksville, Ind., '63 Fury, C/NSS, 11.039, 0.039
8) Dale Meers, Buffalo, Ky., '68 Cuda, B/NSS, 10.556, 0.056
9) Barry Camp, Monroe, Ga., '66 Biscayne, AA/FX, 9.080, 0.080
10) Larry Despain, Elizabethtown, Ky., '64 Fury, A/NSS, 10.084, 0.084

TOP STOCK ELIMINATOR
1) Donnie Vaught, Milton, Tenn., '67 Camaro, C/S, 11.014 seconds, 0.014 (over index)
2) Larry Fleming, Franklin, Ky., '70 Duster, G/S, 13.026, 0.026
3) Carl Gilbert, Indianapolis, Ind., '71 Nova, B/S, 10.533, 0.033
4) Kevin Wells, Midway, Ky., '72 Nova, D/S, 11.546, 0.046
5) Chris Cowles, Bowling Green, Ky., '70 Nova, E/S, 12.059, 0.059
6) Scott Taylor, Batavia, Ohio, '66 Belvedere II, F/S, 12.564, 0.064
7) Doug Cowling, Browns, Ill., '69 Camaro SS, F/S, 12.632, 0.132
8) Brett Davis, Canby, Ore., '55 Del RAY, C/S, 11.148, 0.148
9) Tim Weinzapfel, St Philips, Ind., '66 Belair WGN, G/S, 13.158, 0.158
10) Dennis White, Bardstown, Ky., '64 Fairlane, E/S, 12.218, 0.218

HOT ROD ELIMINATOR
1) Chip Brown, Pennsville, N.J., '64 300k, 8.635 seconds, 158.17 mph
2) David White, Washington, Ind., '67 Chevy II, 8.666, 154.72
3) Mark Womble, Paducah, Ky., dragster, 8.930, 149.20
4) Kenny Pease, Dyersburg, Tenn., '62 Nova, 9.324, 140.44
5) Terry Lindsey, Bowling Green, Ky., '67 Camaro, 9.368, 132.08
6) Rick Seeba, West Alton, Mo., '55 Chevy, 9.641, 137.83
7) Ned Ioder, Streator, Ill., '68 Dart, 9.725, 135.44
8) Michael Goodwin, Jefferson, Ga., '70 Dart, 9.771, 135.59
9) Dean Kivisto, Windsor Ontario, , '69 AMC, 9.822, 136.10
10) Robert Arbuckle, Adrian, Mo., '66 Nova, 9.900, 135.04

GAS ELIMINATOR
1) Phil Stamps, Tipton, Ind., '70 Camaro, D/G, 9.502 seconds, 0.002 (over index)
2) Bob Mitchell, Cincinnati, Ohio, '69 Dart, E/G, 10.005, 0.005
3) Mitchell Allen, Manchester, Ky., '69 Camaro, D/G, 9.514, 0.014
4) Mel Grace, Potosi, Mo., '71 Pinto, E/G, 10.016, 0.016
5) Jeff Gregory, Franklin, Ky., '68 Nova SS, E/G, 10.018, 0.018
6) Greg Brannon, Longwood, Fla., '65 Chevy II, E/G, 10.020, 0.020
7) John Guy, Sunset, La., '67 Camaro, C/G, 9.023, 0.023
8) Brian Cagle, Clarksville, Tenn., '78 Fairmont, D/G, 9.527, 0.027
9) Mike Oldham, Mcalpin, Fla., '37 Ford, A/G, 8.031, 0.031
10) Ted Wood, Mooreville, Miss., '68 Barracuda, C/G, 9.053, 0.053

348/409
1) Kevin Wilson, Tupelo, Miss., '63 Impala, 409, 9.814 seconds, -123.766 (under index)
2) Randy Kirker, Sanborn, N.Y., '31 Ford, 409, 10.657, -110.763
3) Bryan Fugate, Norwalk, Ohio, '63 Impala SS, 409, 11.384, -108.256
4) Lonnie Hall, Dayton, Ohio, '62 Impala SS, 409, 11.386, -104.864
5) Dave Coots, Vinton, Iowa, '64 Impala, 409, 11.813, -103.227
6) Joel Czopek, Golden, Colo., '62 Belair, 409, 11.928, -99.882
7) Jerry Kuenster, Lancaster, Wis., '59 Chevy, 409, 12.080, -97.170
8) James Schrader, Hartsburg, Mo., '62 Chevy, 409, 12.774, -95.226
9) Martin Key, Woodburn, Ky., '62 Bubbletop, 409, 13.421, -93.589
10) Rick Inghram, Willoughby, Ohio, '61 Biscayne, 409, 14.066, -85.804

THURSDAY

Morning showers couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 2017 NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway Park on the opening day of the three-day event. The event is a celebration of classic cars, nostalgic quarter-mile drag racing and numerous interactive displays at the facility. 

“The first afternoon of the event is always a great way to connect with the loyal fans of the NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance,” said Larry Fisher, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. “We appreciate those that came out during the day to kick-off an action packed weekend.” 

The morning kicked off as show cars flowed into the historic facility to start the day. Vehicles of every make, model, and paint scheme filled the grounds as the owners proudly displayed their cars.

Following the showers, the track came to life with quarter mile nostalgia drag racing as racers hurtled down the track in qualifying and time trial runs. The nostalgia Top Fuel category highlighted the racing action and James Young, led the field with his pass of 5.683-seconds at 243.94 mph.  

The evening concluded with a pair of jet cars rocketing down the track. 

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 following are Thursday's qualifying results from the NHRA Motorsports Museum 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance:

NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
1) James Young, Salem, Wis., '07 FED, 5.683 seconds, 243.94 mph
2) Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., '13 Neil & Parks, 6.013, 192.58
3) David Miller, Cedar Hill, Mo., '05 Neil & Parks, 6.040, 192.63
4) Jason Greenwood, Racine, Wis., '10 Stirling, 6.462, 232.91
5) Mendy Frey, Los Angeles, Calif., '16 Hadman, 6.552, 145.88
6) Julius Hughes, Gainesville, Ga., '11 Horton, 7.018, 158.02
7) Tyler Hilton, Sharonville, Ohio, '12 Horton, 7.057, 211.10
8) Paul Schultz, Tulsa, Okla., '92 Stirling, 12.045, 74.29
9) Adam Sorokin, Glendale, Calif., '04 Sterling, 12.961, 65.75

7.0 PRO
1) Michael Sexton, Bloomington, Ind., '07 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.016 seconds, 0.016 (over index)
2) Gordon Horn, Rockport, Ind., '63 Chevy, 7.0, 7.070, 0.070
3) Larry Harlen, Rockport, Ind., '48 Anglia, 7.0, 7.073, 0.073
4) Robbie Freels, Island, Ky., '94 Canode, 7.0, 7.160, 0.160
5) Ron Huegli, Wilsonville, Ore., '76 Monza, 7.0, 7.163, 0.163
6) Ernie Lipinski, Willmar, Minn., '10 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.467, 0.467
7) Jacob Breerman, Rockport, Ind., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 7.774, 0.774
8) Don Nave, South Whitley, Ind., '12 Lake City Chs, 7.0, 10.706, 3.706
9) Steve Walczak, Rochester, N.Y., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 6.965, -0.035

7.5 PRO
1) Steve Matthews, Marietta, Okla., '70 Woody Gilmore, 7.5, 7.565 seconds, 0.065 (over index)
2) Jeffrey Ferguson Jr., Byhalia, Miss., '02 Spitzer, 7.5, 7.576, 0.076
3) Bo Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '23 Model T, 7.5, 7.579, 0.079
4) Don Moore, Hamilton, Ohio, '72 FED, 7.5, 7.677, 0.177
5) Todd Campbell, Hamilton, Ohio, '03 Schafer, 7.5, 9.130, 1.630
6) Darrell Eakle, Fairdale, Ky., '14 FED, 7.5, 19.292, 11.792
7) Bruce Hacker, Seagrove, N.C., '15 S & W, 7.5, 26.645, 19.145
8) Darrell Wathen, Utica, Ky., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.499, -0.001
9) Tyler Allen, Manchester, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.5, 7.438, -0.062
10) Randall Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '57 Chevy, 7.5, 7.432, -0.068