Last Updated on June 20, 2026 11:54 pm
Saturday Recap
The NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion taking place at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky raced to a thrilling conclusion on Saturday with a full day of Eliminations action. An incredible Nostalgia Top Fuel Final Round saw Pete Kaiser just barely edge Gerald Hangey at the 1320′ Finish Line in a 5.90 to 5.93 decision. Kaiser had 36 MPH on Hangey at the Finish Line to catch him within the last few Feet of the run. Michael Sexton took the 6.0 Pro victory in his Blown Front Engine Dragster over Larry Greer’s Funny Car. The Messamore Family again dominated in Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) competition with Jaxon taking the 7.50 Pro victory and Trevor winning the popular Pro Comp category. Mike Vance topped the massive NDRL Pro Gas field throwing down 5 Total in the Final Round (003 RT + 10.002 on 10.00 Dial) to defeat Jim Halverstadt. Other Winners from this year’s NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion include Gordon Horn (NDRL 7.0 Pro), Tom Strayer (Modified Production), Matt Reed (Nostalgia Super Stock), Leonard Mattingly (Nostalgia Gasser) and Logan Alford (Hot Rod Eliminator).
- NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
- June 18-20, 2026
- Beech Bend Raceway Park – Bowling Green, KY
- Nostalgia Top Fuel
- Winner – Pete Kaiser
- RU – Gerald Hangey
- Semis – Mike Hilton
- Final Round: Kaiser .148, 5.905/251 def. Hangey .155, 5.939/215
- #1 Qualifier – Pete Kaiser 5.761
- 6.0 Pro
- Winner – Michael Sexton
- RU – Larry Greer
- Final Round: Sexton .047, 6.230 (6.00) def. Greer NT-DNS
- #1 Qualifier – Michael Sexton 6.163
- NDRL 7.0 Pro
- Winner – Gordon Horn
- RU – Billy Smith
- Final Round: Horn .009, 7.023 (7.00) def. Smith -.009, 6.950 (7.00)
- #1 Qualifier – Larry Harlen 7.020
- NDRL 7.50 Pro
- Winner – Jaxon Messamore
- RU – Tyler Allen
- Final Round: Messamore .028, 7.528 (7.50) def. Allen .023, 7.533 (7.50)
- #1 Qualifier – Ric Burdine 7.502
- NDRL Pro Comp
- Winner – Trevor Messamore
- RU – Brett Edwards
- Final Round: Messamore .026, 9.538 (9.50) def. Edwards .023, 8.979 (9.00)
- #1 Qualifier – Trevor Messamore 9.500 (9.50 Index)
- NDRL Pro Gas
- Winner – Mike Vance
- RU – Jim Halverstadt
- Final Round: Vance .003, 10.002 (10.00) def. Halverstadt .036, 9.482 (9.50)
- #1 Qualifier – Tracey Sackett 9.000 (9.00 Index)
- Modified Production
- Winner – Tom Strayer
- RU – John Renfroe
- Nostalgia Super Stock
- Winner – Matt Reed
- RU – Matt Reed
- Nostalgia Gasser
- Winner – Leonard Mattingly
- RU – Jessica Lile
- Hot Rod Eliminator
- Winner – Logan Alford
- RU – Michael Myer
Friday Recap
Action continued to get more intense as Qualifying wrapped up on Friday during the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion taking place at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Pete Kaiser hopped to the #1 spot in Nostalgia Top Fuel in Q2 with a 5.761 ET. The Fuel Altereds put on a wild show with Randy Bradford putting down the Best ET of 7.140. Michael Sexton put his Front Engine Dragster atop the 6.0 Pro Qualifying sheet with a 6.163 ET. Nostalgia Drag Racing League classes again thrilled the Kentucky crowd; Top Qualifiers include Larry Harlen (7.0 Pro), Ric Burdine (7.50 Pro), Trevor Messamore (Pro Comp), Tracey Sackett (Pro Gas), Randy Tull (Modified Production), Larry Bagwell (Nostalgia Gasser) and Danny Whitford (Nostalgia Super Stock). To follow along with this year’s NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, Live Stream is available on NHRA.tv at https://www.nhra.tv/ or NHRA on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@nhra.
- Nostalgia TF Q3 Final Top Qualifiers
- Pete Kaiser 5.761
- Tyler Hilton 5.814
- Mike Hilton 6.024
- Brendan Murry 6.205
- Gerald Hangey 10.315
- E1 Pairings
- 1. Kaiser vs. Bye
- 3. M.Hilton vs. 4. Murry
- 2. T.Hilton vs. 5. Hangey
Thursday Recap
The 2026 Edition of the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion is underway at Beech Bend Raceway Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Headlining this year’s event is again the Nostalgia Top Fuel class, which is a Points Race for this category in this year’s NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series. Ohio racer Tyler Hilton leads the Points heading into this race after his performance at the March Meet in Bakersfield, California earlier this year. Hilton kept up his performance by earning the Provisional #1 spot in Q1 on Thursday afternoon. Tyler recorded a 5.814 ET to edge out #2 Qualifier Pete Kaiser’s strong 5.838. 5 Entries are on the Property of Nostalgia Top Fuel action this weekend. Nostalgia Drag Racing League (NDRL) classes are also being contested this weekend. NDRL Day 1 Top Qualifiers include Robbie Freels (7.0 Pro), Matt Stupakewicz (7.50 Pro), Max Reis (Pro Comp), JB Wood (Pro Gas), Danny Whitford (Nostalgia Super Stock), Randy Tull (Modified Production) and Larry Bagwell (Nostalgia Gasser). Friday will feature Final Qualifying in all categories. To follow along with this year’s NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion, Live Stream is available on NHRA.tv at https://www.nhra.tv/ or NHRA on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@nhra.
- NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion Nostalgia Top Fuel Q1 Top Qualifiers
- 1. Tyler Hilton 5.814
- 2. Pete Kaiser 5.838
- 3. Mike Hilton 8.901
- 4. Gerald Hangey 11.812
Event Preview
- NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion
- June 18-20, 2026
- Beech Bend Raceway Park – Bowling Green, KY
- Series/Classes: Nostalgia Top Fuel (NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series Points Race). Nostalgia Drag Racing Series (NDRL) Points Classes.
- Last Year’s Event Winners: Tyler Hilton (Nostalgia Top Fuel), Michael Sexton (6.0 Pro), Larry Harlen (7.0 Pro), Tyler Allen (7.50 Pro), Jaxon Messamore (Pro Comp) and Mark Messamore (Pro Gas).
- Current Points Leaders: Tyler Hilton (Nostalgia Top Fuel).
- Schedule: Qualifying (Thursday and Friday). Eliminations (Saturday).
- Live Streaming: NHRA.tv at https://www.nhra.tv/ or NHRA on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/@nhra
- For More Info: NHRA Division 3 at www.NHRADiv3.com or https://www.facebook.com/NhraNorthCentralDivision3
