POMONA, Calif. — The California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California roared to life on Friday with an exciting day packed with nostalgic side-by-side racing action and classic cars at Auto Club Famoso Raceway.
The three-day event is a favorite among racing fans and car enthusiasts alike, emphasizing the spirit of classic American car culture.
“The California Hot Rod Reunion got off to a great start today,” said Greg Sharp, curator of the NHRA Motorsports Museum. “We welcomed throngs of enthusiastic fans as classic hot rods took to the track and filled the pits. We look forward to two more exciting days of nonstop entertainment and killer eye-candy.”
Spectators flooded the gates upon opening, eager to see the first pairs of classic Hot Rod Heritage cars fire their engines on the starting line. The annual swap meet also drew quite a crowd with one-of-a-kind objects quick to catch the eye of savvy collectors and restorers.
Nostalgia Top Fuel standout Mendy Fry, who secured the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series 2019 championship in her category earlier this year, rocketed to the provisional top qualifier position on Friday evening with her run of 5.995-seconds at 237.42 mph in her High Speed Motorsports dragster. Bobby Cottrell currently leads the Nostalgia Funny Car category with his impressive pass of 5.635 at 259.61.
Low qualifiers in all other categories include: John Durden in Nostalgia Pro Mod, Tom Fowler in A Gas, Scott White in AA Gas, Jim Black in B Gas, Billy Teague in C Gas, Dave Meigide in D Gas, Cory Bogne in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, Larry Battenberg in Nostalgia Eliminator 2, Lindsey Lister in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, Lawton Ferreira II in 7.0 Pro, Drew Austin in A-Fuel, Brad Woodard in Jr. Fuel, and Ernie Algorri in A/FX.