Hot Rod Reunion 2022

Photography by Nate Nelson Story & Layout by Jimmy B

When Fathers day weekend rolls around, the place to be is Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green KY. The HOLLEY National Hot Rod Reunion is in high gear for three days with all kinds of hot rod fun for just about every taste in the gearhead world. This feel good nostalgia driven event, little brother if you will, of the California Hot Rod Reunion, brings cars and fans out ,that remember the

When Fathers day weekend rolls around, the place to be is Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green KY. The HOLLEY National Hot Rod Reunion is in high gear for three days with all kinds of hot rod fun for just about every taste in the gearhead world. This feel good nostalgia driven event, little brother if you will, of the California Hot Rod Reunion, brings cars and fans out ,that remember the “good old days” of drag racing.

The Hot Rod Reunion is open to pre-72 vehicles for show & shine event, which saw hot rods, rat rods, street rods, muscle cars and customs turn out in good numbers. By our estimation, the car count was down somewhat, but the forecast of 100pls heat indexes for Thursday and Friday probably had a big effect on the participant levels. Still plenty to see and enjoy spread out under the trees of the Beech Bend grounds.

Over in the pits, there were PLENTY of race cars of all classes and makes and models. The one class that saw a HUGE drop in participants this year was the Nostalgia Top Fuel Class. Only 2 Top Fuel cars came out. Some politics in play by the racers and NHRA caused the low turnout. You can read about the whole deal out on the internet as it has garnered a lot of press and commentary. For our point of view, we would like to see the racers and NHRA work things out for 2023 so the FULL field is part of the event Kudo’s to Brendan Murray & Bobby Hilton for brining their top fuelers out and putting on a great show with hammer down passes every time.

Some of the fan favorites are the

NITRO FUEL ALTEREDs in a “Chicago” style format, racing each other with the PURE HELL AA/FA with Brian Hope behind the wheel winning the race this year.

Nitro funny cars, the NDRL 7.0 class, the gassers and lots more raced hard all three days much to the fans delight.

Speaking of fans, the covered grandstands on both sides of the track were full all three days watching the action on the track.

As the sun sets on Saturday night, the last event of the weekend and one of the fan favorites and racer favorites too, takes place at twilight...CACKLEFEST!! This year 18 Nitro burning front engine dragster put nitro flames in the pipes all at the same time, filling Beech Bend dragstrip with nitro fumes all over!

If you missed out on all this fun in 2022, make plans now for the 2023 HOT ROD REUNION on Father day weekend.