Nostalgia Nationals Sunday Morning Update!

Good Sunday morning from Beech Bend Raceway Park! The first round of Funny Car and the semi’s of Top Fuel started off today’s program here under sunny skies and warm temperatures. The weather man is calling for a high of 83 degrees today.

Prior to the start of eliminations, Cruz and Tony Pedregon, here today with their late father ‘Flamin Frank’s” restored 1960s dragster, had a chance to get acquainted with the crowd. They told of how they love coming to hot rod events like the Nostalgia Nationals and connecting with the fans and old friends alike. A lot of people don’t realize just how much these two have accomplished in their careers. Both won NHRA World Championships in Funny Cars driving for team owners then built their own teams and went on to win NHRA World Championships (Tony in 2007 and Cruz in 2008) as team owner/driver. They will be signing autographs and cackling their father’s dragster at NOON at the Snap-on tent.

In the opening round of Funny Car, Shawn Bowen ran a pedaling 6.232 @ 241.37 to defeat Mike Lewis who logged a mechanically challenged 6.780 @ 214.45 in the Stardust entry. The other matchup featured Troy Martin and his Chi Town Hustler and “Rapid” Randy Baker. Martin took the win running his best-ever lap at a Goodguys event (6.08 @ 233.84) over Baker’s crossed-up 8.98 @ 202.18.

The Top Fuel semi’s featured started with a bye run by Howard Haight and to the delight of the crowd he ran it through the lights going 6.05 @ 235. The next pair was Odie Coker against the small block Chevy car of Lincoln Hassel. Coker streaked to a 6.599 @ 204.45 over Hassel’s game 6.810 @ 201.07.

We’re currently running Pro Comp I and will follow with the remainder of the program. Check back tonight for final results! If you’re anywhere near the city of Bowling Green, come on out and join us!