Competition Plus’ Water-Cooler Topics From The California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, Ca.
1 – BOWSER’S “CRAWL-WALK-RUN” PLAN RESTORES CHRR – Just two years after taking over the struggling California Hot Rod Reunion, Famoso Dragstrip’s Blake Bowser has steered the nostalgia event back to prominence. His steady “crawl-walk-run” strategy paid off in 2025 as the Reunion regained its energy, crowds, and identity.
Hall of Fame journalist Dave Wallace called the 2025 edition the moment “the California Hot Rod Reunion is BACK,” crediting Bowser, Steve Gibbs, and Cindy Gibbs for rescuing a pair of nostalgia drag racing institutions—the Reunion and Gibbs’ Nitro Revival program. Their collaboration brought back push-starts, after-dark cacklefests, and an atmosphere that recalled the event’s early years.
Fans and racers echoed that sentiment throughout the weekend. “Everyone was smiling, saying great job,” Bowser said. “Last year, people left feeling good, and this year was even stronger. Those who skipped it wish they hadn’t.”
Bowser acknowledged the Reunion still trails the March Meet in size but sees room for growth without sacrificing either event’s uniqueness. “It’s a good race, but I want to grow it another 20 percent next year,” he said. “We start and end the Heritage Series here, and that’s something special.”
The balance between both events is one that Bowser welcomes. “Eventually I’ll be on a teeter-totter between the two,” he said. “One year, maybe the Reunion needs more focus, another year the March Meet does. I’m happy to take care of both.”
The 2025 Reunion marked a restoration of spirit for nostalgia drag racing, which had faltered under corporate control after NHRA’s 2016 takeover. Bowser’s partnership with the Gibbs family restored the heart and heritage of the event, drawing the old crowd—and a new generation—to Famoso.
As Wallace wrote, “The California Hot Rod Reunion is BACK.” For Bowser, that’s the victory he was chasing.
2 – CAPPS, KAISER, LEAHY LEAVE WITH BAKERSFIELD VICTORIES – Jon Capps delivered on a personal promise at Famoso Dragstrip, the place where his racing story first took shape. Competing in the city where he earned his first-ever oval track win, Capps completed a season sweep by taking Funny Car honors at the California Hot Rod Reunion in the Matthews Motorsports entry.
Joining Capps in the winner’s circle were Pete Kaiser in Top Fuel and Greg Leahy in Fuel Altered, closing the NHRA Heritage Series season with a trio of strong performances at Bakersfield’s historic quarter mile.
Capps, who also claimed victory at March’s Good Vibrations March Meet, defeated Nathan Sitko in the Funny Car final with a 5.543-second run at 263.31 mph. The win capped a year defined by perseverance, team chemistry, and rapid progress for a driver who only met his current crew in March.
“I walked into Bakersfield in March and met the team for the first time,” Capps said. “I left with a win then—and to finish here with another one is unreal.”
Sitko’s runner-up finish came after victories over Bobby Cottrell, Cory Lee, and newly crowned Heritage Series Funny Car champion Shane Westerfield. Capps defeated Drew Austin, Mike Peck, and Todd Miller on his path to the final round.
Pete Kaiser closed his 2025 campaign on a high note with a Top Fuel triumph. His 5.720-second, 259.44-mph pass held off Frank McBee Jr.’s 5.815 at 257.51, a win that capped a season filled with challenges and adjustments.
“It’s definitely a huge high note,” Kaiser said. “We had a bad summer fighting clutch disc and valve-train problems, but this weekend, it started reacting again.”
Kaiser posted consistent numbers in eliminations, running 5.708 and 5.677 before holding off McBee. The final marked redemption for both drivers, as McBee reached the round with wins over Mike Hilton and Tyler Hilton, while Kaiser took out Bret Williamson and Brian Hall.
In AA/Fuel Altered, Greg Leahy ended his season with a wire-to-wire performance. After qualifying No. 1, he defeated Vince Karstetter in the final round, winning on a holeshot with a 6.064-second run to Karstetter’s quicker 6.040.
“It’s the best way to finish the year,” Leahy said. “We had a rough summer, but the car came around this weekend and finally responded to what we were trying to do.”
3 – CAPPS MAKES HISTORY TOO – JON Capps etched his name into nostalgia Funny Car history during Saturday’s eliminations at the California Hot Rod Reunion, recording the first 5.4-second run ever in the class at Famoso Dragstrip. Driving the Matthews Motorsports entry, Capps clocked a stunning 5.488-second pass during his semifinal win over Todd Miller, marking a major milestone for the nostalgia nitro ranks.
“Our four-lap average was a 5.51—you don’t do that with nitro,” Capps said. “The parity out here is like super comp, except with nitromethane and Funny Cars.”
The record-setting pass symbolized how far the class has come in tuning sophistication and performance. Capps credited his crew’s balance of youth and experience for making the breakthrough possible. “We’ve got some great young talent and some wise, old talent,” he said. “Now it’s my job to find the money so we can do this correctly—and maybe go hurt some feelings next year.”
Capps’ 5.4 blast reinforced the evolution of nostalgia Funny Car into one of drag racing’s most competitive categories, where historic style meets modern horsepower.
4 – GIVING BACK – The California Hot Rod Reunion weekend at Famoso Dragstrip featured a poignant moment that underscored drag racing’s deep sense of community and respect for its pioneers. NHRA President Glen Cromwell personally presented Steve Gibbs with replicas of three Wally trophies lost in the 2024 Camarillo wildfire that destroyed Gibbs’ home, vintage Ford shoebox, and decades of memorabilia.
According to Famoso Dragstrip’s Blake Bowser, Cromwell worked with his NHRA staff to recreate the trophies in exact detail, restoring symbols of Gibbs’ 46-year career with the sanctioning body. “Glen worked with all his staff and they replicated what was on those Wallys, and they replaced the Wallys he lost in the fire,” Bowser said.
The presentation took place Friday night on the Famoso starting line in front of a full crowd, with Gibbs joined by his wife, Marge. The moment marked both a personal and professional reconnection between Gibbs and NHRA, nearly a decade after his departure following the organization’s takeover of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and the California Hot Rod Reunion.
Gibbs, who co-founded the Cacklefest and Nitro Revival programs with Greg Sharp, has long been recognized as a cornerstone of drag racing history and event promotion. The gesture from Cromwell represented more than a symbolic replacement—it was an acknowledgment of Gibbs’ lifetime contributions and the resilience of the nostalgia racing community.
As Hall of Fame journalist Dave Wallace observed, “Ironically, then-and-current NHRA President Glen Cromwell made the trip to Famoso to personally surprise Steve Gibbs with reproductions of all three Wally trophies earned during 46 years with NHRA.”
The presentation added a deeply human note to a weekend already defined by restoration, redemption, and the enduring heartbeat of nostalgia drag racing.
5 – CROWNING SERIES CHAMPIONS – Tyler Hilton and Shane Westerfield officially sealed their 2025 NHRA Heritage Series championships over the weekend at Famoso Dragstrip, closing another season of nostalgia nitro racing with dominant performances that solidified their places at the top of their divisions.
For Hilton, the Top Fuel crown marked his fourth consecutive Heritage Series championship — a streak that underscores his team’s precision and consistency. The California native entered the season finale with a narrow points lead over Pete Kaiser and delivered the rounds he needed to clinch the title.
Hilton’s 2025 season included multiple final-round finishes, capped by another strong showing at the California Hot Rod Reunion, where his team debuted a new supercharger setup. “We stepped up,” he said. “We had it soft at first, just to see what it wanted, but we got after it and it showed pretty well.”
The 31-year-old credited both his team and preparation for the sustained success. “As we’ve been going along, we got the team to do it and the car to do it,” Hilton said. “It’s all fallen into place the last few years and it’s been a pretty fun deal.”
Hilton said the biggest change over the years has been discipline behind the wheel. “I use a practice tree a lot more now to really step up my game on the tree,” he said. “I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable in the car, and that’s helped a lot too.”
In Funny Car, Westerfield wrapped up his third NHRA Heritage Series title after an unmatched season of performance and precision. The Southern California veteran led the points standings from the opening event and locked up the championship before Sunday’s final round.
Both champions credited the competition for pushing them throughout the year. “The parity out here is unbelievable,” Hilton said earlier in the season. “You’ve got to be perfect every lap — one mistake and they’ll run right by you.”
6 – THAT WAS BAD! – Todd Plate’s severe crash during Saturday’s Nostalgia Funny Car session at the California Hot Rod Reunion was captured on video by CompetitionPlusTV’s Les Mayhew. A fellow racer reported on social media that Plate was transported to a local hospital with rib and lung injuries and a possible concussion. The NHRA, which sanctions the event, has not yet issued an official statement.
7 – REMEMBERING CHRIS RASCHKE – The California Hot Rod Reunion at Famoso Dragstrip became a place of remembrance this year, as racers and fans honored the late Chris Raschke — the beloved ARP executive, racer, and friend whose influence touched nearly every corner of motorsports.
Raschke, 54, was killed in 2024 at Utah’s Bonneville Salt Flats while driving the Speed Demon streamliner during a land speed record attempt. Known for his tireless work with Automotive Racing Products (ARP), Raschke was more than a parts supplier. He was a passionate supporter of racers at every level — from grassroots drag strips to the NHRA professional ranks — and a trusted friend to countless teams across the sport.
To honor him, Dan Horan Jr. unveiled his Camaro Funny Car at the Reunion wrapped in a custom gold livery featuring images of Raschke’s life and career. The project came together in the days following Raschke’s passing, when the Horan family met with ARP owner Mike and Raschke’s wife, Connie, to plan a fitting tribute.
With the help of One11ink in Santa Clarita, the design came to life — its gold hue a striking match to the color of the Speed Demon car Raschke helped drive to multiple records. “It wasn’t planned that way,” said Ryan Horan, Dan’s son. “It turned out to be the same gold that was on Speed Demon. It came out great and was a perfect way to honor a friend and an amazing guy in our industry.”
The tribute resonated throughout the pits. Fans and racers gathered around the Horan pit to take photos, share stories, and pay their respects to a man whose kindness and enthusiasm had become legendary.
“He made small teams like ours feel like we were John Force,” Ryan said. “He was more than an industry guy — he was family to so many of us.”
Raschke’s death left a void that stretched far beyond ARP or Bonneville.
He represented the spirit of motorsports — dedicated, humble, and always willing to help others succeed. As the gold Camaro glistened under the Bakersfield sun, it served as a powerful reminder that legacies like his don’t fade with time.
“He made everyone feel like they were part of something bigger,” Ryan said. “This was our way to say thank you.”
8 – MCARTHUR WOULD BE PROUD – Like Gen. Douglas MacArthur vowing to return to the Philippines, Steve Gibbs came back to Bakersfield — not to conquer, but to restore what he built. Nearly a decade after being forced out of the California Hot Rod Reunion amid clashes over management and vision, the man who helped make its Cacklefest a cornerstone of nostalgia drag racing returned to Famoso Dragstrip, completing a circle few thought possible.
In 2016, new NHRA leadership imposed restrictive rules that drove Gibbs and dozens of vintage racers away. That exile birthed the Nitro Revival, a roving celebration of drag racing history that found a home at Irwindale Raceway — until Irwindale itself closed this year.
When that happened, Gibbs and his daughter Cindy faced a choice: fade away or return to Bakersfield. The NHRA and Famoso’s Blake Bowser extended the olive branch, and Gibbs — now 85 and recently inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame — accepted. “NHRA wanted to reinvigorate the Hot Rod Reunion,” Gibbs said. “It’s nice to have them acknowledge things could’ve been handled differently back in 2016.”
For Gibbs, the return was less about nostalgia and more about preservation. “I’ve been going to Bakersfield since 1957,” he said. “It’s Mecca when it comes to the golden years of the sport. Everybody likes to go to Famoso.”
Though his daughter now oversees operations, Gibbs remained deeply involved. “There’s no way I can just stand back and socialize,” he said. “I’ll be in the middle, giving her a hand, whatever it takes.”
9 – SPORTSMAN WINNERS – Sportsman winners at the California Hot Rod Reunion included Sean Bellemeur (A/Fuel), Alan Hull (Jr. Fuel), Tony Trimp (7.0 PRO), Tony Isley (Nostalgia Eliminator 1), Tony Citro (Nostalgia Eliminator 2), Ashlee Ballsteri (Nostalgia Eliminator 3), Ray Padgett (A/Gas), Chris Tourek (B/Gas), Beau Dyson (C/Gas), Dan Schrokosch (D/Gas), James Mayer (C/FC), Jeremy Smith (A/FX) and Dan Rowley (Hot Rod).
10 – NEXT STOP BAKERSFIELD – Promoter Blake Bowser is turning his full attention toward the next chapter of nostalgia drag racing at Famoso Dragstrip — the legendary Bakersfield March Meet. He says the event has grown beyond a tradition and now marks a cornerstone for racers and fans alike.
Bowser, who has managed Famoso for years, says the March Meet isn’t just a weekend — it’s a statement. His team works year-round so that when racers and fans walk through the gates, they feel the legacy and the intensity of the moment. For him, every detail counts: the historic vibe, the modern facility, and the no-compromise competition.
For 2026, Bowser promises the March Meet will once again serve as the launch pad for nostalgia nitro dragsters and front-engine fuel cars. The event positions Bakersfield as the place where racers come to test, chase elapsed-time records, and reconnect with the roots of the sport. From bracket racers to full-tilt nostalgia nitro teams, Bowser calls it “a weekend off” with serious competition built on fun and fairness.
“We like to joke that when you walk in that gate, leave all your drama outside,” Bowser said. “Act like it’s 1970 all over again.” He added that while the experience feels vintage, modern safety and professionalism keep it running smoothly. That balance, he says, is what makes Bakersfield unique.
Entry lists are already forming with front-engine Top Fuel and Funny Cars leading the show, joined by nostalgia Altereds and sportsman classes. Bowser is coordinating with tech inspectors and staging staff to ensure quick turnarounds and tight eliminations.
He advises racers to check technical bulletins early, plan their transport and lodging, and prepare for Bakersfield’s demanding conditions. The March Meet, Bowser says, isn’t just about revisiting history — it’s about writing the next great chapter in nostalgia drag racing.
