NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

For generations of racers, hot rodders, and fans, Father’s Day weekend has meant one thing: a pilgrimage to historic Beech Bend Raceway in Bowling Green, Ky., for the NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion.

The annual celebration of speed, nitro, and nostalgia returned this week as part of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series, bringing together the sights, sounds, and personalities that helped build drag racing into the sport it is today. The National Hot Rod Reunion has returned to its roots for NHRA’s 75th Anniversary season, once again embracing the name and spirit that made the event a favorite among generations of racers and fans.

More than a race, the National Hot Rod Reunion is a living tribute to the vision of NHRA founder Wally Parks. Long before drag racing became a professional sport, Parks believed hot rodding represented something much larger: innovation, creativity, craftsmanship, and the relentless pursuit of making something better. Through the Reunion, fans can experience that philosophy firsthand, surrounded by the machines and personalities that shaped American motorsports. 

Held at the historic Beech Bend Raceway, the three-day event features nostalgia drag racing, vintage hot rods, a sprawling swap meet, vendors, show cars, and the ever-popular Cacklefest, where legendary nitro-burning machines once again roar to life. It is a place where generations gather to share stories, celebrate history, and reconnect with the roots of the sport. 

The event also supports the mission of the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif., helping preserve the history of hot rodding and drag racing while introducing new generations to the people and machines that built the sport. Parks envisioned a place where enthusiasts could learn not only about the cars, but also about the dreamers and builders who created them. The National Hot Rod Reunion continues that mission every Father’s Day weekend.

Whether it’s the smell of nitromethane in the air, the unmistakable crackle of a vintage fuel car, or a father sharing stories of drag racing’s golden era with his children, the National Hot Rod Reunion remains one of the purest expressions of hot rodding culture.

As we celebrate Father’s Day weekend, NHRA wishes all fathers and families a happy holiday. We invite you to enjoy this gallery of images from NHRA National Dragster photographer Marc Gewertz, who captured the people, cars, and moments that make the National Hot Rod Reunion one of the most cherished traditions in all of motorsports.