2024 CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION - EVENT PAGE
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FRIDAY'S TEN - THE RETOOLED CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION FIRES ITS FIRST SHOT
1. KAISER HITS THE NOSTALGIA TRIFECTA - Some drag racers go a lifetime and never achieve what Nostalgia Top Fuel Racer Pete Kaiser did on Friday at the California Hot Rod Reunion.
Not only was Kaiser competing in the NHRA Heritage Series finale in Bakersfield, but he was also one of a handful of drag racers competing in the delayed Tulsa event.
So, what exactly did Kaiser accomplish? He not only qualified No. 1 for the Tulsa event but also recorded the quickest elapsed time in winning Friday night's first round of the same event, which also qualified him to be a provisional low qualifier for the CHRR.
"I got great guys with me, and that's what makes it all happen," Kaiser said.
Kaiser cranked out a 5.735 elapsed time at 253.59 to score a two-fer, with the No. 1 and beating Mike Hilton to the finish line.
"I've had a good running car all year, and I screw it up every time on a Sunday myself," Kaiser said. "So I got to calm down a little bit and just try and win some rounds instead of swinging for the fence all the time."
Kaiser said the key to Friday's success was ultimately the tireless efforts of his crew.
"The key is my guys putting this in together every time the same," Kaiser explained. "And I can make adjustments. And the adjustments I do a little and they make a difference. These guys are just great, and that's what makes all the difference in the world. I got a lot of good people behind me."
2 - MONISE QUARTER-POUNDS' EM - When Shane Westerfield thundered to a 5.54 in Thursday testing and followed it up with a 5.539 in Q-1, the consensus was the Austin & O'Brien team would run away with Friday's qualifying.
Someone forgot to deliver the memo to Geoff Monise and the Quarter Pounder team.
Monise drove to the provisional No. 1 in Friday's Q-2 session, stopping the timers in 5.532 seconds at 262.23 miles per hour.
"On Friday, we tried some stuff, and it did not work," Monise explained. "We blew up a motor. We came back out here, regrouped for Q1, and tickled it for Q2, and it stepped up huge. Bob DeVore, Chris Minor, Mark Petersen, Todd Wirtz, and my whole team have done a great job. It's been a hard weekend, but it feels so good. The average age of our team is 61 years old or something. They're a bunch of old guys, and they let me drive it."
The Quarter Pounder team is enjoying one of its finest seasons to date. It also scored a win at the Legends NHRA series during the Arizona Nationals in Phoenix. The success has bolstered its confidence.
"It's definitely changed our expectations," Monise added. "We ran a 70 earlier today, and normally, we'd be beside ourselves. We're all a little bummed. It's like we've got more in this thing. We got more. We went 60 in Woodburn. We can do more. But with Bob DeVore coming on and Chris Miner helping us out, it's what this team has needed. It's what my father-in-law Keith's needed forever. It's just that little bit. He's been picking away at this thing, and it's coming around hopefully at the right time."
3 - THE BOWSER FACTOR - When the California Hot Rod Reunion opened on Thursday, track owner Blake Bowser knew he had the arduous task of rebranding an event that had been almost destroyed due to bureaucratic interference. Understanding the weight of the past, Bowser went to work fully committed and in charge of steering the event toward a brighter future, leveraging his experience from his work at Famoso Dragstrip and the iconic Good Vibrations March Meet.
"Honestly, we're going to be using a crawl, walk, run approach on this one," Bowser said. "We're not looking to hit a home run this year, but if I can hit a single and maybe get to second base, we're going to be happy."
Bowser emphasizes that the event isn't just about racing but rebuilding a community.
"We just got a lot of stuff behind the scenes that we need to work on," he explained. "It's going to be a good show for the fans, racers, and vendors."
Historically, the road to recovery for the Hot Rod Reunion has been fraught with missteps. The NHRA has owned its errors following the controversial 2016 event, which left many racers feeling sidelined.
Bowser recognizes the uphill battle he faces in winning back the trust of the old-school drag racing community, particularly since he is not responsible for past transgressions.
"We faced that back in 2007 when we took over the March Meet," he recounted. "Some people were discouraged with how things were run before, and we're trying to fix all that." His philosophy of "kill them with kindness" is a guiding principle as he works to navigate this complex landscape.
Known for his genuine approach, Bowser is dedicated to creating a welcoming environment for fans and participants.
"This is my job. This is my office," he said of the expansive Famoso Dragstrip, where he's managing what he described as "controlled, organized chaos." His enthusiasm is palpable as he oversees the ongoing preparations: tents going up, cars being positioned, and the excitement building.
A significant challenge is ensuring the California Hot Rod Reunion carves out its identity without impeding the Bakersfield March Meet.
"I've got to make sure I'm balancing the two," Bowser noted. "There are things that I want to do for this race that wouldn't work in March due to the weather." He understands the importance of adapting each event's offerings to their unique circumstances.
Bowser confirmed that the NHRA will still play a role in the reunion, although their approach appears more hands-off. "There are a lot of people who want to see this work at NHRA and here at the track," he said. "Good Vibrations is sponsoring this race, and they want to see it succeed as well."
The California Hot Rod Reunion is designed to be a gathering, first and foremost, and a celebration of the culture surrounding drag racing. The March Meet typically attracts around 500 entries, but Bowser recognizes that the reunion, while having a respectable car count, cannot compete directly on those numbers. "This gives us time to slow down, take it all in, talk, and reminisce," he said.
He added, "Don't forget to stop and smell the nitro this weekend. Let's enjoy ourselves, remember those we've lost this year, and do some racing, too."
As a result, race fans with a four-day ticket got to see Q-1 for Tulsa on Thursday evening. There was an extra session on Friday; the first round was during the evening session.
Tyler Hilton led Thursday's session with a 5.724, but on Friday, the Pete Kaiser, who turned in a 5.688. claimed the top spot.
5 - ALLISON LEE REMEMBERED - On Thursday, the drag racing community came together in the pits of the Famoso Dragstrip to honor the late Allison Lee, the proclaimed First Lady of Top Fuel, her prowess with a wrench as opposed to a firesuit.
Lee passed on August 29 peacefully, surrounded by her family.
There was a peace in the atmosphere as the drag racing community members shared stories of the most dynamic female tuner in drag racing history.
"Wonderful turnout," said Bobby Hilton, her son-in-law and former Jim and Allison Lee dragster driver. "Had lots of folks there. It was awesome, man. Over the top. It was like she was here, and she was here."
The event was orchestrated by past Nostalgia Top Fuel champion Mendy Fry and Lee's daughter Dianne. Racers and members of the community shared memories, but it was a video collaboration between drag racing author Cole Coonce and the artist genius of Les Mayhew that stole the show.
"It was a video Les had done three years ago in my shop, and it was a three-hour-long interview. Cole drew pieces out of it to create a masterpiece," Hylton said. "It was awesome, man. It was like she was here."
Fry made an impact by reading a letter she wrote to Lee as a teenager.
"Mendy and 'Al' were great friends, very much so at the end," Hylton said. "Mendy wrote her a letter that was called, 'My Hero,' and it talked about how she was her idol. And we had no idea. And it was crazy, man. The letter that she wrote Al, she read it out loud to the folks last night. It was awesome."
Dianne read the letter to her Mom in her last days.
"About a week before she passed," Dianne said. "And then they talked on the phone and a lot of times before she passed. But it was an easy, not an easy, but it was a grateful way to go. She was surrounded by so much love and that, Mendy's letter, was just tip of the iceberg for all the people that love my Mom. I mean, it's just crazy. It's just crazy."
And in one final tribute, the family's Great Expectations dragster, driven by her grandson Tyler, was rolled out of the pits and fired. Fry was behind the wheel for the momentous occasion.
"It was badass," Hiltom surmised.
6 - THE NITRO REVIVAL - Steve Gibbs grew up a dreamer but has become more of a realist as he has aged. The reality of his popular Nitro Revival event is a clouded future.
The Nitro Revival, regarded as a celebration of nitro racing's rich history, has become a focal point for fans and participants alike.
"[The event is] at Irwindale right now, which is a great location for our event," Gibbs said. "Unfortunately, like many other drag strips in California, I think its days are numbered."
Gibbs is concerned about potential legal issues and city planning that could threaten the venue, indicating that this year's might be the last Nitro Revival at Irwindale.
Despite hosting the successful event at multiple venues since 2017, Gibbs acknowledged the importance of finding a new home for the Nitro Revival to ensure its survival.
"For Nitro Revival to continue, we need to look elsewhere. Bakersfield has a long-term future as a racing venue, and I believe we're probably destined to work something out there," he explained.
A key feature of the Nitro Revival is its emphasis on cackle cars, which are not traditional race cars but rather a way to preserve the sport's history.
"The guys who bring these cars have invested significant resources to celebrate the nostalgia of nitro racing," Gibbs noted. He emphasized the need for a dedicated venue to showcase these historic machines, underscoring a potential return to Bakersfield as a fitting home for future events.
Despite the challenges, Gibbs remains optimistic about the event's direction.
"Time heals all wounds, and there's a possibility that we can come back together again," he said, reflecting on the complexities of the event's management in previous years. Acknowledging the changes that led to the launch of Nitro Revival, he spoke about the importance of carving out a niche for celebration and remembrance.
Gibbs highlighted the Nitro Revival's dual objectives: creating a reunion atmosphere while generating revenue to support the Wally Parks NHRA Museum.
"You need to bring in spectators because the money helps keep the museum alive," he stated. "This event has morphed into more than just a reunification; it's become a race that attracts those who love the thrill of competition."
With an aging fan base and many legends of the sport drawing near to the end of their careers, Gibbs views the Nitro Revival as a vital platform to celebrate history and legacy.
"As long as we have Hall of Famers attending, we want to make it a showplace for them," he said. At the last event, over 40 Hall of Fame members were present, many of whom are lesser-known figures who contributed significantly to the sport's growth.
Personally invested in the Nitro Revival, Gibbs takes pride in the legacy he has built. The 85-year-old believes it will continue through his oldest daughter, Cindy.
"I'm fortunate to have a healthy life and a wonderful daughter, Cindy, who is deeply passionate about the history of the sport," he shared. "We do this out of love, not for a living. Our mission is to preserve and introduce the sport's history to new generations. This is what it used to be like."
As the Nitro Revival prepares for its next chapter, Gibbs remains dedicated to celebrating the sport and its history. "It's a celebration of the people who made drag racing what it is today," he concluded.
7 - THE MUSICAL COCKPITS - At the rate of turnover in the NHRA Heritage Series, one might need a program to keep up with the players and which jerseys they now wear.
In the Funny Cars, Shane Westerfield drives the Bucky Austin "Bardahl" entry replacing Bobby Cottrell in early-August. Cottrell had a 114-point lead and was a cinch to clinch another world championships. Cottrell is now piloting the Jim Broome-owned Speed Sport flopper, replacing John Capps.
Kamaka Pocock, who started the season as the Don Nelson's California Hustler driver, was replaced by Todd Miller. Pocock is now driving the Blower Drive Service-sponsored 1974 Vega.
Todd Plate is the shoe of the Problem Child Camaro, replacing Westerfield, who drove the car at the March Meet, replacing Billy Morris.
Not to be outdone, the Fuel Altereds now have Kyle Hough driving the Sheepherder, previously piloted by Cory Lee, who is still driving Gary Turner's flopper. With Hough leaving the Nanook car, Vince Generallo has replaced him. Randy Bradford is now driving Troy Glenn's Over the Hill gang.
If your head is spinning now, hold tight; two days are left in the event.
8 - DUSTIN DAVIS NOW HAS A NOSTALGIA TOP FUELER - Evidently, 21 races on the road isn't enough for Dustin Davis.
If the name sounds familiar, it was Davis who entered NHRA Top Fuel with drag racing phenom Justin Ashley and now serves as General Manager for the multi-car SCAG Racing team.
Davis purchased the entire Jim Murphy WWII operation and named big show crewman Austin Arnerich as the driver.
"I love to drag race," Davis said. "That's the thing. We're happy to be here, and I haven't been nostalgia racing since 2016, so it's fun to be back.
Jim Murphy and I have been friends for a lot of years, and he's in Santa Rosa as well as I am, and at the end of last year, he called and said, I think we should have lunch. We started talking about it, and that's how it led to this.
"I wanted to keep it in Santa Rosa and pay tribute to him by keeping this car out here. Jim is a legend in this sport and a mentor to me. And not only in drag racing but also in business. We've been doing business with each other, racing and everything. So I mean, mostly, I'm proud to keep this car out here, and hopefully, we can do well with it."
Arnerich was the natural choice to drive the rail since his parents, Mike and Sharon, have been with Davis since he started drag racing. Mike has worked Davis on his teams and Sharon now serves as the director of hospitality.
Anerich smiled when he said he was asked to drive and not volunteered. Ironically, when he made his licensing runs, those were the first time he'd ever been behind the wheel of a front-engine dragster.
"When a privilege comes up like this, you can't pass it up," Anerich said. "There's a lot of history with the group and the car, and it's an honor to be a part of it. And to get the chance to drive it, not everybody's as fortunate. So definitely was proposed, and I didn't want to pass up the opportunity."
Arnerich, in addition to his role on the Ashley team, serves as Davis' facilities manager at Davis Demolition. Other members of the Mission Series team are working this weekend on a voluntary basis.
Arnerich, who lives in the Santa Rosa, CA. area, has always understood the legend of Murphy in this arena. Driving a front-engine car for the first time and following a legend like Murphy can be intimidating.
"Very intimidating," Arnerich confirmed. "There's big shoes to fill literally, but I can't say enough about him and Daniel Wilkinson. They've been there for every part of it. Support, help. Without them, this would be definitely difficult. Jim is just phenomenal to work with and he's got so much experience. The coolest part is everybody else out here knows him and the respect that you get from talking to them just of being in Jim's car. And a lot of people are happy to see the car back out, that Jim and Daniel, they're not racing anymore, but they're still here. They're still coming and visiting. They're still around. It's a really cool way around."
While Arnerich reportedly made strong runs in his licensing process, Friday's lone run was on pace to put him strong in the field. He was forced to lift at about 330 feet when the car drifted to the centerline. He'll have two more shots to get in the field on Saturday.
9 - THE ENEMY OF THE STATE - The biggest enemy of any race is downtime, and there was plenty of it to be found on Friday. Officially, the race was down for 2 hours and 52 minutes due to oil spilled on the surface and grenaded engine parts. Counting Thursday's mayhem brings the grand total of clean-up to 4 hours and 55 minutes.
10 - SPORTSMAN LEADERBOARD - The sportsman divisions had at least one qualifying session on Friday. Wayne Ramay (A/Fuel), Brad Woodard (Jr. Fuel), Lawton Ferreira II (7.0 PRO), Mike Williams (B/Gas), Beau Dyson (C/G), DeAndre Fitzgerald (D/G), Hans Jakob (Nostalgia Eliminator - 1), Dale Taros (NE-2), Ashlee Balisteri (NE-3), and Ed Sawyer (A/FX) are your leaders headed into Saturday.
FRIDAY RECAP - KAISER, MONISE SET THE PACE ON DAY ONE AT CHRR
Pete Kaiser admits he can sometimes be his worst critic. It was hard for the Pleasant Hill, Ca.-based Nostalgia Top Fuel to criticize his performance on Friday at the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion [CHRR], as he secured the No. 1 qualifying effort from the delayed Tulsa Heritage Series, and in one fell swoop claimed a first-round win and low elapsed time of the round which established him as the provisional low qualifier for the original event.
Kaiser was joined atop the CHRR leaderboard by Geoff Monise [Funny Car] and Vince Karsgtettler [Fuel Altered] in the first day of the NHRA Heritage Series finale.
Kaiser ran a 5.735 elapsed time to beat Mike Hilton in the first round of the Tulsa event and vaulted to the top of Bakersfield CHRR.
"I've had a good running car all year, and I screw it up every time on a Sunday myself," Kaiser admitted. "So I got to calm down a little bit and just try and win some rounds instead of swinging for the fence all the time. You know what I mean?"
Defending series champion Tyler Hilton was second with a 5.770, edging third-place Shawn Bowen by .006.
Mike Hilton anchors the field with a 6.113.
While Shane Westerfield and Dan Horan grabbed the spotlight in the Q1 session, Monise thundered right by them in the Q2 session with a 5.532 elapsed time at 252.23 miles per hour. Westerfield was second-quickest with a 5.539.
Monise has had a banner season this year, winning one of the NHRA Funny Car Legends event. Success has a way of changing some, and it has Monise and the team.
"It's definitely changed our expectations," Monise said. "We ran a 5.70 earlier today, and normally, we'd be beside ourselves. We're all a little bummed. It's like we've got more in this thing. We got more. We went 5.60 in Woodburn. We can do more. But with Bob DeVore coming on and Chris Miner helping us out, it's what this team has needed. It's what my father-in-law Keith's needed forever. It's just that little bit. He's been picking away at this thing, and it's coming around hopefully at the right time."
Point leader Nathan Sitko is third (5.540), while Horan is fourth with 5.583.
NHRA Top Fuel driver Cameron Ferre anchors the field with 5.905.
Karstetter fired his best shot in the first session of Fuel Altered, running a 6.170 at 230.47. In the Fuel Altered division, you must run as close to a 6.00 without going quicker.
Qualifying resumes on Saturday at Noon with the third session of Funny Car followed by Nostalgia Top Fuel. Gates open at 8 AM, for sportsman action.
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