Morning showers couldn’t dampen the enthusiasm of the 2017 NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance at Beech Bend Raceway Park on the opening day of the three-day event. The event is a celebration of classic cars, nostalgic quarter-mile drag racing and numerous interactive displays at the facility. 

“The first afternoon of the event is always a great way to connect with the loyal fans of the NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance,” said Larry Fisher, executive director of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. “We appreciate those that came out during the day to kick-off an action packed weekend.” 

The morning kicked off as show cars flowed into the historic facility to start the day. Vehicles of every make, model, and paint scheme filled the grounds as the owners proudly displayed their cars.

Following the showers, the track came to life with quarter mile nostalgia drag racing as racers hurtled down the track in qualifying and time trial runs. The nostalgia Top Fuel category highlighted the racing action and James Young, led the field with his pass of 5.683-seconds at 243.94 mph.  

The evening concluded with a pair of jet cars rocketing down the track. 

The action at the Holley NHRA 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.   

The following are Thursday's qualifying results from the NHRA Motorsports Museum 15th annual Holley National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA Insurance:

NOSTALGIA TOP FUEL
1) James Young, Salem, Wis., '07 FED, 5.683 seconds, 243.94 mph
2) Jim Murphy, Santa Rosa, Calif., '13 Neil & Parks, 6.013, 192.58
3) David Miller, Cedar Hill, Mo., '05 Neil & Parks, 6.040, 192.63
4) Jason Greenwood, Racine, Wis., '10 Stirling, 6.462, 232.91
5) Mendy Fry, Los Angeles, Calif., '16 Hadman, 6.552, 145.88
6) Julius Hughes, Gainesville, Ga., '11 Horton, 7.018, 158.02
7) Tyler Hilton, Sharonville, Ohio, '12 Horton, 7.057, 211.10
8) Paul Schultz, Tulsa, Okla., '92 Stirling, 12.045, 74.29
9) Adam Sorokin, Glendale, Calif., '04 Sterling, 12.961, 65.75

7.0 PRO
1) Michael Sexton, Bloomington, Ind., '07 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.016 seconds, 0.016 (over index)
2) Gordon Horn, Rockport, Ind., '63 Chevy, 7.0, 7.070, 0.070
3) Larry Harlen, Rockport, Ind., '48 Anglia, 7.0, 7.073, 0.073
4) Robbie Freels, Island, Ky., '94 Canode, 7.0, 7.160, 0.160
5) Ron Huegli, Wilsonville, Ore., '76 Monza, 7.0, 7.163, 0.163
6) Ernie Lipinski, Willmar, Minn., '10 Neil & Parks, 7.0, 7.467, 0.467
7) Jacob Breerman, Rockport, Ind., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 7.774, 0.774
8) Don Nave, South Whitley, Ind., '12 Lake City Chs, 7.0, 10.706, 3.706
9) Steve Walczak, Rochester, N.Y., '32 Bantam, 7.0, 6.965, -0.035

7.5 PRO
1) Steve Matthews, Marietta, Okla., '70 Woody Gilmore, 7.5, 7.565 seconds, 0.065 (over index)
2) Jeffrey Ferguson Jr., Byhalia, Miss., '02 Spitzer, 7.5, 7.576, 0.076
3) Bo Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '23 Model T, 7.5, 7.579, 0.079
4) Don Moore, Hamilton, Ohio, '72 FED, 7.5, 7.677, 0.177
5) Todd Campbell, Hamilton, Ohio, '03 Schafer, 7.5, 9.130, 1.630
6) Darrell Eakle, Fairdale, Ky., '14 FED, 7.5, 19.292, 11.792
7) Bruce Hacker, Seagrove, N.C., '15 S & W, 7.5, 26.645, 19.145
8) Darrell Wathen, Utica, Ky., '41 Willys, 7.5, 7.499, -0.001
9) Tyler Allen, Manchester, Ky., '63 Corvette, 7.5, 7.438, -0.062
10) Randall Boles, Slaughters, Ky., '57 Chevy, 7.5, 7.432, -0.068