2024 Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals: A Father’s Day to Remember at Beech Bend Raceway Park
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This annual event not only brought together some of the finest nostalgia drag racing competitors from across the country but also supported a great cause. All the action and proceeds benefited the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., fulfilling the vision that Wally Parks had for preserving and celebrating the legacy of motorsports. Here's a recap of the winners, runners-up, and top performers in each category.
NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
Winner: Tyler Hilton
Runner-Up: Adam Sorokin
#1 Qualifier: Pete Kaiser
Low E.T.: Pete Kaiser
Top Speed: Pete Kaiser
Tyler Hilton clinched the win in Nostalgia Top Fuel, with Adam Sorokin trailing as the runner-up. Pete Kaiser dominated the qualifiers with the lowest elapsed time and the highest top speed, making his presence felt throughout the event.
NOSTALGIA FUNNY CAR
Winner: Bobby Cottrell
Runner-Up: Geoff Monise
#1 Qualifier: Bobby Cottrell
Low E.T.: Bobby Cottrell
Top Speed: Bobby Cottrell
Bobby Cottrell was the star in Nostalgia Funny Car, taking home the win and securing the top spot in all qualifying metrics. Geoff Monise put up a strong fight but had to settle for second place.
FUEL ALTEREDS
Winner: Mathew Leonard
Runner-Up: Dan Pettinato
#1 Qualifier: Dan Pettinato
Low E.T.: Dan Pettinato
Top Speed: Dan Pettinato
Mathew Leonard emerged victorious in the Fuel Altereds category, while Dan Pettinato, despite being the top qualifier and posting the best times and speeds, finished as the runner-up.
6.0 PRO
Winner: Michael Sexton
Runner-Up: Don Martik
#1 Qualifier: Kurt Duckworth
In the 6.0 Pro category, Michael Sexton took the win, with Don Martik as the runner-up. Kurt Duckworth led the pack in qualifying rounds.
7.0 PRO
Winner: Robbie Freels
Runner-Up: Lawrence Greer
#1 Qualifier: Larry Harlen
Robbie Freels triumphed in the 7.0 Pro class, while Lawrence Greer secured the runner-up position. Larry Harlen was the top qualifier.
7.50 PRO
Winner: Jaxon Messamore
Runner-Up: Brian Freund
#1 Qualifier: Tyler Allen
Jaxon Messamore outperformed his competitors to win the 7.50 Pro category, with Brian Freund as the runner-up. Tyler Allen qualified first.
PRO COMP
Winner: Jeff Lawson
Runner-Up: Gary Williams
#1 Qualifier: Jim Hooker
Jeff Lawson claimed the victory in Pro Comp, and Gary Williams finished second. Jim Hooker was the leading qualifier.
PRO GAS
Winner: Lynn Ellison
Runner-Up: Jason Satterly
#1 Qualifier: Donnie Rottier
Lynn Ellison emerged as the winner in Pro Gas, with Jason Satterly in second place. Donnie Rottier was the top qualifier.
MODIFIED PRODUCTION
Winner: Donnie Beeler
Runner-Up: Danny Kellams
#1 Qualifier: Mike Welfel
Donnie Beeler took the win in Modified Production, and Danny Kellams was the runner-up. Mike Welfel led the qualifying rounds.
NOSTALGIA SUPER STOCK
Winner: Bryce Lawrence
Runner-Up: Jim Netherland
#1 Qualifier: Jimmy Ray
Bryce Lawrence won the Nostalgia Super Stock category, with Jim Netherland as the runner-up. Jimmy Ray was the top qualifier.
STRAIGHT AXLE MAFIA
Winner: Troy Wilson (Shoals, IN)
Runner-Up: Bill Lile (Brooks, KY)
#1 Qualifier: Troy Wilson (Shoals, IN)
Troy Wilson from Shoals, IN, dominated the Straight Axle Mafia category, winning and qualifying first. Bill Lile from Brooks, KY, was the runner-up.
HOT ROD ELIMINATOR
Winner: Dan Huellening
Runner-Up: Caeleb Masterson
#1 Qualifier: Caeleb Masterson
Dan Huellening emerged victorious in the Hot Rod Eliminator, with Caeleb Masterson as the runner-up and top qualifier.
NOSTALGIA PRO STOCK
Winner: Ted Peters (South Holland, IL) '73 Duster
Runner-Up: Terry Priest (Glendale, KY) '95 Avenger
#1 Qualifier: Mark Pappas (Park Ridge, IL) '85 Camaro
Low E.T.: Jeff Rudisill (Wilkesboro, NC) '86 Camaro
Top Speed: Jeff Rudisill (Wilkesboro, NC) '86 Camaro
Ted Peters from South Holland, IL, in a '73 Duster, took the top spot in Nostalgia Pro Stock, with Terry Priest from Glendale, KY, in a '95 Avenger as the runner-up. Mark Pappas from Park Ridge, IL, qualified first in his '85 Camaro, while Jeff Rudisill from Wilkesboro, NC, in an '86 Camaro, achieved the lowest elapsed time and the highest top speed.
The 2024 Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals was a spectacular event, celebrating the legacy and thrill of drag racing. Fans and participants alike are already looking forward to next year's competition, eager to see who will rise to the occasion and etch their names in nostalgia drag racing history.