We have wanted to go to the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green ever since it was started a few years ago. So when the opportunity finally presented itself this year, we started to make plans for June 17-19, 2005, to attend the 3rd Annual one. Unfortunately both of us Kelly guys couldn’t go, as my son Michael couldn’t afford the time off work producing the latest issue, so I lined up plans to go with a couple of friends. The group included Drag Race Hall Of Fame photographer Steve Reyes, veteran drag racing announcer Aaron Green, and myself, Mike Kelly. The three of us headed out in a Buick Century rental car a few days prior to the event, and before we know it we were transformed back in time to the days of old school drag racing....or at least that’s how it felt.

The extensive planning put into the event was obvious, as they had lots of stuff lined up all weekend. It was like visiting a museum come to life, where the people aren’t just spectators at the Reunion, they are participants in their own right. The wide variety of activities and events included NHRA vintage drag racing with famous and historic cars and drivers, a “Show & Shine” with thousands of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, custom cars, and muscle cars, Cruise Night through historic Bowling Green on Thursday, and a concert by Gary Lewis and The Playboys on Saturday evening.

One of the big highlights for many was the “Cacklefest” on Saturday evening where nitro-burning historic Top Fuel Dragsters were pushed started just like in the old days (included among them was “Big Daddy” Don Garlits in his Swamp Rat 1-B). Hearing them all rumbling really is something you have to experience first hand to fully appreciate. Racing itself was contested in 10 classes, including 4 for different types of Fuel Dragsters, Nostalgia Competition, Nostalgia Gas, Classic Super Stock, Oldies, Geezer Gassers and the Quick 64. All the non-dragsters were limited to 1972 and earlier body styles, so it kept a good authentic nostalgia feel that everyone was digging. Special exhibition runs were also made on an invitation only basis, featuring historic cars that are rarely seen away from the Reunions. Some of them included cars belonging to Al “Mousie” Marcellus (a 2005 inductee into the Don Garlits International Drag Racing Hall of Fame), and 71 year old Joe Jocono, who came our of retirement last year for the Reunion in Bowling Green, and ran his “Rollin’ Stoned” Funny Car.

Other things to see and do included checking out the swap meet and Reunion Midway, which were filled with manufacturer exhibits and demonstrations. And if you happened to be with some members of the family who didn’t completely appreciate all the Reunion had to offer [gasp!] there was even an old fashioned amusement park with rides and games for all ages adjacent to the track grounds.

The 3rd Annual NHRA Hot Rod Reunion took place over Father’s Day weekend, and for those that experienced the heyday of drag racing in the early days this would have been the perfect outing to celebrate dad’s special day. It is not just a car show nor a race, it is the “real deal” - a three day festival of speed, hot rods and American automotive enthusiasm. The NHRA Hot Rod Reunion is part of the NHRA Museum’s “living history” philosophy, which works to bring to life the sites, sounds and people who made history in the early days. For many of us that were around to see it happen the first time, the next best thing to a time machine is to have it replayed right in front of our eyes, with the actual cars and stars from the past. For more info as next year’s show draws closer keep an eye on the Coming Attractions section of Mike Kelly’s Cruise News, or visit http://museum.nhra.com and click around. CN