NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Famoso Dragstrip will transition to new leadership in 2025, as Tim Huddleston, whose Irwindale Speedway and Dragstrip is slated for redevelopment in 2025, will move his team to the historic quarter-mile located just outside of Bakersfield, Calif., and take over daily operation of the facility from longtime operator Blake Bowser.

Bowser, whose leadership alongside his late father, John, has propelled the track back into the national spotlight, will continue to lead the charge for the facility’s two marquee events, the March Meet and the California Hot Rod Reunion, two staples of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series schedule. The new roles will allow Huddleston to focus on growing Famoso’s non-Heritage events, including NHRA Summit Racing Series events and the annual Division 7 event at the venue known as “The Patch.”

"I’m honored to continue the legacy of Famoso Dragstrip and build on the exceptional foundation established by Blake Bowser and his family,” said Huddleston. “Blake’s dedication to drag racing and his success with the March Meet and Hot Rod Reunion are a testament to his passion for the sport. I look forward to supporting his vision for these iconic events while creating new opportunities for racers and fans at Famoso. With its storied place in NHRA Drag Racing, Famoso stands as a pillar of the sport’s heritage, and we are committed to preserving that legacy while ensuring its growth for generations to come."

Bowser was instrumental in the creation of the Hot Rod Heritage Series and, alongside the New family at Firebird Raceway near Boise, Idaho, has helped establish the series as a safe place for fans of nostalgia drag racing to see everything from classic hot rods to front-engine Top Fuel dragsters race on tracks across the country.

In his new role, Bowser will continue to build events at Famoso while also helping other Heritage Series tracks, serving as an advisor to the series as well as a member of the rules committee. He will remain involved with Famoso as well as a resource for Huddleston and his team.

“This is a great opportunity for Famoso Dragstrip, drag racers, drag racing fans, and the community,” Bowser said. “Tim is going to bring many new and exciting events to Famoso Dragstrip. This change will provide me the chance to solely focus on the March Meet and the Hot Rod Reunion, both of which have the financial support of Good Vibrations Motorsports. I’m looking forward to building on the relationship I have with Good Vibrations, as well as bringing in more sponsors to help make these two great events bigger and better than ever.”

A program of focus for Huddleston will be the NHRA Street Legal program. Since its formation in 1951, NHRA has worked tirelessly to combat and eliminate the dangerous and illegal practice of street racing. To this day, that continues to be the primary mission for the association. In the decade Huddleston led Irwindale’s dragstrip, the facility had record growth and became the benchmark track for NHRA’s Street Legal program with its weekly Thursday Night Thunder program.

“This is an exciting day for fans of drag racing in California, as well as fans of the Hot Rod Heritage Series,” NHRA President Glen Cromwell said. “Tim Huddleston has been a fantastic partner of the NHRA, and his vision for expanding Famoso’s footprint in the racing community will go a long way towards ensuring racers have a safe place to race well into the future. I want to thank Blake Bowser and his family for all they have done in the last two decades, and the NHRA looks forward to continuing to work with Blake on both Heritage Series events at Famoso as well as growing other Heritage Series races in 2025 and beyond.”

For more information about Famoso Dragstrip and its 2025 schedule, visit www.famosodragstrip.com.