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California Hot Rod Reunion Delivers Nitro-Fueled Nostalgia

Provided by ARP . June 04, 2026 . Drag Racer
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IT WAS MAGICALLY DELICIOUS!

Text by Pete Ward

Forty-six, that’s right, count ‘em—46 nitro burning machines filled the air with the wonderful stench of their spent fuel. If you count the cackle cars, the count jumps to near a hundred. Where else on planet Earth are you gonna experience such a show? If you’re a nitro junkie, the California Hot Rod Reunion is a must-attend event.

But nitro is just a portion of what’s to love about the Reunion. In addition to the hundreds of race cars in all classes, the car show, swap meet and merchants, the best aspect is the people. At some events, the cars may be the stars, but in drag racing, and here especially, the people attending are equally as important.

Jack Goodrich’s A/FX Plymouth brings back some memories! DRAG
California Hot Rod Reunion
Legendary Jr. Fuel shoe Don Enriquez defeated D.J. Zink for yet another national title.
Jim Murphy lost the battle but won the war. He was eliminated in the second round but earned enough points to capture his first NHRA Heritage Series T/F title.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Jason Rupert also relied on the kindness of others to secure his third consecutive Heritage Series F/C title. Hale’s win over Horan made that honor come to pass.

For the “seniors” who want to reminisce or the younger fans yearning to learn more about the sport they’re growing to love, the Reunion is like a time machine. There are so many stories to share, so many teachable moments that are only available here.

The 2014 edition is scheduled for 17-19 October, so start making your plans to attend.

…and the winners of the 22nd Reunion were: John Hale (Funny Car), Adam Sorokin (Top Fuel), Don Enriquez (Junior Fuel), Mike Smith (7.0 Pro), Richard Phillips (7.0 Pro B), Mitchell Akers (AFX), Tom Fowler (A/Gas), Jason Barta (Nostalgia Eliminator), Ryan Davenport (A/Fuel) and Dan Myers (Nostalgia Pro Mod).

California Hot Rod Reunion
/John Hale claimed his second Reunion Funny Car championship by defeating Dan Horan in the finals.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Tom Fowler’s unconventional New Wave Gasser took the A/G crown.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Mike Smith, flying Crower colors, scored the 7.0 Pro (A Class) crown by defeating Steve Faller’s ’63 ’Vette.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Local hero Jason Barta trailered Alan Hull to capture the Nostalgia Eliminator crown.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Roger “Riceman” Lee’s faithful recreation of the Master’s & Richter Special was one of the highlights of the cacklefest.
California Hot Rod Reunion
Funny Cars with doors: The Pro Mod championship went to Dan Myers.
Colorado lads Dean Seevers, Del Wiesner and Harold Owens resurrected their early ’60s record-holding ’33 Willys blown Olds Gasser. She’s a beauty.
Tim Krupa’s bad-ass ’Vette was RU in Pro Mod.
Mark Oswald returned to the cockpit in the Candies & Hughes memorial F/C. Sadly, we lost Paul Candies earlier in ’13.
Todd Paton did his best Joey Chitwood Thrill Show imitation during qualifying.

 

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