5TH ANNUAL NHRA HOLLEY HOT ROD REUNION
Keep up with this weekend's Fifth Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion. -- EVENT PHOTO GALLERY
SATURDAY - Hang On Sloopy!
Larry Shawberry and his 1968 mini Charger (3/4 scale) got out of shape in his first run Saturday morning and did everything to keep the Mopar upright with no additional scratches.
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FRIDAY - Sunshine and Blue Skies on Friday at the Reunion
Thousands of street rodders, racers, spectators and members of the news media
converged on National Trail Raceway for the Fifth Annual Holley NHRA National
Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal. The event is produced by and benefits
the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, presented by the Auto Club of So.
Calif.
Racing began at 9:45 a.m. EDT and continued all day, while hot rod fans of all kinds visited Reunion Central, the swap meet, vendor alley and other sites.
FRIDAY - State of Ohio Recognizes Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
Ohio Governor Ted Strickland has issued a proclamation officially recognizing
the fifth Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, Jun.
15-17 at National Trail Raceway in Hebron, near Columbus. The
proclamation cited the NHRA’s choice of “historic National Trail Raceway for
this prestigious event.”
“We very much appreciate this recognition from the state of Ohio and Gov. Strickland,” said Tony Thacker, executive director of the non-profit Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum, which produces and benefits from the Reunion. “Ohio will be a great home to this event, which brings together nostalgia racing, street rods, hot rods and lots of fun for the family on Father’s Day
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FRIDAY - Jeg Sr. having a great time
Grand
Marshall Jeg Coughlin Sr. is having a grand time at the fifth annual Holley NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion presented by SoffSeal, which takes place this weekend
at Coughlin's home track of National Trail Raceway in nearby Kirkersville.
Coughlin's already been busy with his official duties, cutting the
ribbon to open the race weekend in Columbus at the Airport Marriott Hotel,
leading a hot rod cruise through the streets of his hometown, and hosting a huge
party at the expansive JEGS Mail Order compound in Delaware.
"The
ribbon-cutting ceremony was great," said Coughlin, who started JEGS in 1960 with
a small speed shop on 11th Avenue. "They fired-up the Jade Grenade Nostalgia Top
Fuel dragster and got everyone excited. Then we all loaded up into some old
street rods and drove through the back roads over to our shop. There must have
been 100 or more cars. It was really something to see."
Guests were
greeted by many employees of JEGS Mail Order and their families, and food and
drinks were served as many people took the opportunity to tour the massive mail
order facility and nearby race shop.
"The most fun was catching up with
everyone," Coughlin said. "It was like a big family reunion. There were some
people I thought I'd never see again that popped up and of course story-telling
was top priority. What a grand time!"
Friday, the action moved to
National Trail where Coughlin was impressed by the overwhelming crowds of fans
and competitors.
"I wasn't prepared for the turn-out," he said. "It's
been fantastic. There are somewhere around 460 racecars, all pre-1972 models,
and more than 500 street cars, also pre-1972. This is a huge event and the
organizers have done a wonderful job at putting it together. It's a real honor
to be the Grand Marshall."
Up next for Coughlin is Friday evening's Hot
Rod Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony where John Abbott, Don Cain, Ted Harbit,
Fred Hurst, and the team of Gary Rupp and Pat Dakin will be honored. Frank
Hawley will also receive the Justice Bros. Reunion Spotlight for his
contributions to the sport.
"I know all those guys and raced against some
of them," Coughlin said. "I couldn't be happier for all of these deserving
pioneers. This whole deal has been great so far. I'm having the time of my
life."
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FRIDAY - Emotional Reception Caps Day One at Holley NHRA Reunion
FRIDAY - It's party time
Two free-to-the-public festive events with a hot rod flair
will take place at the Columbus Airport Marriott on Friday night, June 15 as
part of the 3-day celebration surrounding the 5th annual Holley NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal. The
Festivities will begin inside the Marriott Ballroom at 7
p.m. for the reception that’s a tribute to the
While the reception is going on, the Marriot parking lot will be packed with hot rods, street rod, muscle cars and classics, offering a preview of the many colorful vehicles that will be at the Reunion, vying for SoffSeal Show ‘n Shine awards. Typically, hundreds of people fill the lot and after the reception lets out – around 10 p.m. – a nostalgic dragster or two is started, shooting flames and exciting the crowd.
“It’s a great night for all,” said Tony Thacker,
executive director of the
The 5th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod
Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, is part of the museum’s Hot Rod Heritage Series
which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early
days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car
culture.
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FRIDAY - Ouch!!!
VIEW THE FULL SEQUENCE BY ROGER RICHARDS
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FRIDAY - Jade Grenade thunders in Columbus
The Fifth Annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal,
got underway with a bang Thursday afternoon as the legendary Jade
Grenade Nostalgia Top Fuel Dragster was fired up in the parking lot of the
Columbus Airport Marriott, right across the street from a building labeled as
the "Sleep Academy." The noise was enough to wake up anyone in the
neighborhood, and the smell of Nitro in the air told everyone of the upcoming
events at National Trail Raceway, June 15-17.
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THURSDAY - Festive Cruise Kicks-off 5th NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion, Thurs., June 14
Festivities include a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony, a car show and contest, and then a cruise to Jeg’s High Performance in nearby Delaware, Ohio, where there will be a BBQ and entertainment. Jeg Coughlin, the Reunion’s Grand Marshal, will participate in the ribbon cutting and parade, as will American Graffiti actor Paul Le Mat with two replica cars from the film – a yellow 1932 Ford Coupe and a black ’55 Chevrolet 150 sedan.
Columbus city officials, along with representatives from event sponsor Holley and SoffSeal will be there to cut the tape and choose their favorite cars for awards. The winners will receive their trophies during the Friday night Reunion reception at the Marriott.
The Cruise will feature about 100 colorful hot rods and muscle cars, and serve as the opening ceremonies for the popular Reunion, set for June 15-17 at National Trail.
The cruise starts off with the ribbon cutting, then its off to Jeg's!
“There will be lots of excitement and great cars,” said Bob Daniels, Reunion event director. “It’ll be great family fun.”
Daniels is encouraging residents of Columbus to “Come on down to the Airport Marriott and check out the hot rods. Bring the kids for a great night out and be part of the kick-off festivities of the NHRA Holley National Hot Rod Reunion. There’s nothing else like it.”
“I urge all those who registered vehicles to bring out your pride and joy and show it off,” said Daniels. “Why else did you build it? We all want to see what you’ve got.”
The 5th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, presented by SoffSeal, is part of the museum’s Hot Rod Heritage Series which works to bring to life the sights, sounds and people who made history in the early days of drag racing, land speed racing and the golden age of American car culture.
Unique among motorsports events, the Reunion honors some of the top names in hot rodding from the past and features a fabulous array of cool drag cars, street rods, classics, customs and muscle cars of the historic and present-day hot rod eras.
Daily general admission tickets/pit passes will be available at the National Trail Raceway gate, 2650 National Rd. SW, Hebron, Ohio 43025; phone: 740/928-5706; www.nationaltrailraceway.com. Cost per person: Friday, $20; Saturday, $20; Sunday, $15. Children 15 and under are free when accompanied by an adult.
The Reunion features a wide variety of activities and events, including:
· A ribbon-cutting ceremony followed by a cruise from the Columbus Airport Marriott to Jegs High Performance in Delaware, Ohio, Thurs., June 14, starting 4 p.m.
· Just added: Hot Hues Custom Finishes by DuPont is sponsoring the appearance of American Graffiti actor Paul Le Mat, as well as two replica cars from the film: a yellow 1932 Ford Coupe that Le Mat drove and the black ’55 Chevrolet 150 sedan driven by Harrison Ford.
· Hot Heads Eliminator NHRA vintage drag racing, featuring some the sport’s most famous and historic cars and drivers, racing in such classes at Top Fuel, Supercharged
Gassers, classic Funny Cars and Super Stocks.
· SoffSeal Street rod “Show ’n Shine” with thousands of gleaming pre-1972 hot rods, street rods, custom cars, classics and muscle cars. “Memory Lane” will have a display of nostalgic race cars.
· National Hot Rod Reunion Reception, held at the Columbus Airport Marriott, Fri., June 15 from 7 p.m.- 10 p.m. Open to everyone at no charge, it’s a tribute to the Reunion’s Grand Marshal and Honorees and a chance for fans to meet some of drag racing’s heroes. Grand Marshal for the event will be Jeg Coughlin. This year’s honorees are John Abbott, Don Cain, Ted Harbit, Fred Hurst, and the team of Gary Rupp and Pat Dakin. The Justice Bros. Reunion Spotlight highlights Frank Hawley.
· Cacklefest on Saturday evening, where nitro-burning historic, front-engine top-fuel dragsters and other classic race cars are push started just like in the “old days.”
· The Swap meet and Reunion Midway are filled with vendors and manufacturers making it easier than ever to find that hot rod part or special souvenir.
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