The 2013 NHRA Motorsports Museum Holley National Hot Rod Reunion kicked off Thursday at Beech Bend Raceway Park in a celebration of the love of the NHRA and the American car culture. The three day event features the finest in classic cars from across the country as well thrilling nostalgia racing.
“We’re off to a great start here at the NHRA Motorsports Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance,” Steve Gibbs, event director. “Great car counts, and top of the line cars in all classes. Nostalgia categories, great collection of street rods, we got it all here. A wonderful weekend and the weather has been good, the forecast is favorable and things are right on the money. We are pleased and ready to go.”
.Classic cars from across the country lined Beech Bend Raceway |
Cars with paint jobs so deep and rich captured the blue skies in the reflection of their flawless paint schemes as they flowed into the facility before the sun came up to be first in line for the Axalta Coatings Show ‘n’ Shine judging that took place across the rolling hills of the facility grounds. The judges will have a tough time picking winners as custom cars from days gone by wowed those in attendance.
Racing action on the Beech Bend Drag Strip was also on tap with the Hot Heads Eliminator qualifying and exhibition runs thrilling the fans to intense drag racing action. Nostalgia Top Fuel was the star of the racing with Roger Lechtenberg leading the field in the first round of qualifying. His run of 5.890 seconds at 250.60 mph earned him the current No. 1 qualifying position. Denver Schutz had the top speed of the day at 251.02 mph.
Junior Fuel also took to the track and put on a show for the fans in the unique covered grandstands on each side of this historic track. Oide Coker leads the field at 7.417 at 179.64 mph. Dennis Breeden led the Nostalgia Super Stock category.
The evening concluded at the Holiday Inn Convention Center with the free cruise inn and celebration where thousands of car buffs of all ages filled the parking lot to capacity.
The action at the NHRA Motorsports Museum Holley 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.
Results from the racing can be found on DragRaceCentral.com.
The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California, long a dream of NHRA founder Wally Parks, opened to the public April 4, 1998, after years of planning and months of hard work cataloging and arranging the exhibit. Housed in a 28,500-square-foot building on the edge of the historic Los Angeles County Fairplex, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum's mission is to celebrate the impact of motorsports on our culture. We collect, preserve, exhibit and interpret the vehicles, stories, and artifacts that represent our affection for, and the influence of, automotive speed and style in all its forms. We are the place to view and learn about hot rods, customs, racecars and speed records, and the West Coast's role as the historic center for their past and present development.
The Museum features an impressive array of vintage and historical racing vehicles –- nearly 50 at the Grand Opening -- along with photographs, trophies, helmets and driving uniforms, artifacts, paintings, and other memorabilia chronicling more than 50 years of American motorsports. A gift shop offers a wide variety of souvenir items. The Museum is open during the annual Los Angeles County Fair. Please check the Fairplex website for hours of operation and admission prices (www.fairplex.com). Museum admission is just $1 with regular paid Fair admission ticket.
HOURS: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Extended hours during the NHRA Winternationals and NHRA Finals. Also, hours change during the annual Los Angeles County Fair.
HOLIDAYS WE ARE CLOSED: Easter, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
ADMISSION PRICES: Current NHRA members are admitted free. Admission for non-members is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors 60 and older, $6 for juniors 6 through 15, and free for children under the age of 5. AAA discount available.
HOW TO GET HERE: From the 10 fwy east, exit White Avenue, proceed North, turn left on McKinley Avenue, enter Fairplex Gate 1. From the 210 fwy, exit Fruit Avenue, proceed South, turn right on McKinley Avenue. The Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum is located at Fairplex Gate 1, 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona. Call us at (909) 622-2133.
Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum
1101 W. McKinley Ave.
Building 3A
Pomona CA, 91768
Museum Main Number: 909-622-2133
Museum Fax Number: 909-622-1206
Reunion Hotline: 909-622-8562
[email protected]