NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

The NHRA Motorsports Museum’s 27th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California returns to Auto Club Famoso Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif. for a thrilling three-day gathering on Oct. 19-21. The annual fan-favorite event brings together the best of the past and present with a number of exciting festivities, including quarter-mile nostalgia drag racing, a huge vendor area with vintage speed parts and specialty equipment, Rods, Customs & Muscle Cars of numerous makes and models on display and the famous Cacklefest that takes place Saturday night. Together, the event is a memorable weekend showcasing the full display of the California hot rod culture. 

On the track, Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Cars will put on another intense and thrilling show with the smell of nitro filling the air, as Hot Rod Heritage champions will be crowned for the 1st time in all NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series at the event. The biggest names in nostalgia racing will compete at the event, including Mendy Fry, who has clinched the championship in Top Fuel. In Funny Car, points leader Bobby Cottrell will look to finish the year on top against the likes of Shawn Bowen, Dan Horan and Jeff Arend. Other classes include A/Fuel, where Kin Bates will attempt to hold off Drew Austin’s bid for championship success, supercharged Gassers, classic Super Stock, Hot Rods and more, ensuring fans will see some of the best nostalgia racing of the year. In all, 17 categories will be competing for coveted Hot Rod Reunion trophies and, for the Heritage Series Championship ‘Wally’ trophies during the weekend, providing plenty of excitement for fans of all ages.

The weekend also celebrates those who have dedicated their lives to the sport of hot rodding, as they will be honored throughout the course of the weekend. The 2018 California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California Grand Marshal will be Kelly Brown, who won the Top Fuel world championship in 1978. The other 2018 honorees include Bob Brandt, Jerry Darien, Jim Murphy, Rick Voegelin and Dave Wallace Jr. The Honoree Reception will take place at the Doubletree Hotel at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 19. Admission to the honoree reception is free.

The weekend will also include the famous Cacklefest that will feature the crowd-pleasing push starts and rolling display of dozens of nitro-burning machines from the past. Adding to the excitement, the Reunion will include the popular exhibition push starts throughout Friday and Saturday. With dozens of classic nitro-burning Top Fuel and Funny Cars roaring to life and flames filling the sky, it makes for one of the biggest highlights of the Reunion.

The Hot Rod Reunions are produced by the NHRA Motorsports Museum and benefit the facility located in Pomona, Calif. The 27th Annual California Hot Rod Reunion is proudly sponsored by Automobile Club of Southern California; Good Vibrations Motorsports; Racepak Data Systems; and Dynamat who support the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum’s ongoing programs and events. 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 27th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California opens at 8 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 19, with Nostalgia Funny Car and Top Fuel dragster qualifying sessions taking place at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The third and final qualifying session takes place at 12 p.m. on Saturday,7 Oct. 20, with the first round of eliminations slated for 3 p.m. The static and push start Cacklefest parade and presentation follows at 6 p.m., with eliminations concluding on Sunday, Oct. 21.

Tickets for the 27th annual California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California are on sale now to the general public. Tickets purchased before Oct. 5 are $65 for a three-day pass or $25 for a single day. After Oct. 5, tickets are $75 for a three-day pass. Children 15 and under are free with a paid adult. AAA members can save even more on this event by entering their first three digits of their membership card at checkout. Tickets can be purchased at www.NHRA.com/HotRodReunion.