Makin’ the summer scene, Daddio
Summer time, and the livin’ is, uh, catty? While the nitro guys have been busy back-stabbing and bickering, the sportsman folks have been uh, racing! What a novel concept. We will visit that, along with the NHRA pro division being “bought," this nasty little fester that’s driving me crazy, one of those dirty 426 dragster buggers, and whatever else I can think of before it’s bedtime for Bonzo.
"Getting Nostalgic" favorites, the American Nostalgia Racing Association, are stormin’ into Auto Club Famoso Raceway on June 23 for their Summer Nationals. You get cool classic racing action and also a Show 'n' Shine in Famoso’s legendary grove right behind the grandstands. This will be the first of three events planned for the ANRA at Auto Club Famoso Raceway this year. No word yet on the rumored ANRA “last drag race” for Los Angeles County Raceway, which is reportedly closing at the end of the year.
The Goodguys are back in racing business, if only for a few dates, and this time with the NPCA as the sanction. The big event going on this month is the Goodguys 19th running of the Hot Rod Nationals. Highlighted are the Geezer Gasser Group, Nostalgia Super Stocks, those nut-jobs with the H.A.M.B. rails, all of the NPCA’s popular index classes and oh, as an afterthought, Nostalgia Top Fuel and Funny Car. If you are in Indy this upcoming weekend of June 8 through the 10 you are one lucky little piggie, get it? H.A.M.B.? Piggie? And the hits keep comin’!
The sky is falling! The sky is falling! I’m sure you've heard of the sale of NHRA’s professional race program and its assets to some high falutin' outfit called HD something or other. The same day it was announced the interweb was buzzing with all kinds of "read between the lines" nonsense. What do I think this will mean to the nostalgia racer? I’m so glad that you asked. For now, nothing. Maybe, just maybe, this splitting of the sheets could be a good thing if the “new and improved” NHRA (i.e. sportsman side) is proactive in helping the member tracks become and remain profitable. That could mean a few more
dates at some high profile division tracks. I don’t see Nostalgia Top Fuel or Funny Car coming into the division races and attempting to steal the thunder from the alcohol classes. I, for one, am in no hurry to show up at a divisional event acting like a big shot and attempting to piss off anyone whose name starts with Gasparelli, Manzo or Austin. Capiche? Alright, let's file this under "Wait and See."
Man, I feel a fester coming on. Not just any fester though…a Cacklefester! Who-ha! Boy, I’m funny. Actually not one, not two, but THREE of these pesky deals will be flaming up in Southern California this summer. Now before some of you old farts go and get all "reading comprehension challenged" on me, let me add I’m all for these events. The Cackle Crowd have really stepped it up this year and in July they really get to bangin’ those grey-topped heads of theirs. On July 7 at Irwindale Drag Strip's eighth mile, these cars will have their first of two events planned at this facility. This track is within earshot of the famed Irwindale Drag Strip of yesteryear. The second event will be a Cacklefest showcase where you get a whole Saturday night of push start mayhem, at a retiree's pace. If you have young kids around think of Mermaid Man and Barnacle Boy…“To the broccoli, AWAY!” This one will happen on August 4.
