Hot Rods Best Nostalgia Drags In The USA

A friend and I are planning to travel across the country this summer to catch some of the best nostalgia drag show events. We are mostly interested in the 1960's Gasser and Funny Car era and want to know what shows you all have seen that are worthwhile. Thanks, Frank

 

The Meltdown Drags should be on the top of your list!!

 

Meltdown Drags July 17 - 19 Byron Illinois
By far the best vintage event out there. Right cars, right folks running the show.
Make sure this event is on your schedule for when you want the trip to peak. Everything else after this will be - "less".

http://meltdowndrags.com/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Meltdown-Drags/170589576315185

Check out the Southeast Gassers and wait for their schedule to be posted.
This show is a don't miss as well. They were at Meltdown last year but I haven't heard yet for this year
http://www.southeastgassers.com/

Beaver Springs Dragway - Jalopy Showdown Sept 26
There is at least 3 vintage events at this track all with different criteria / focus. The one that seems to get a thumbs up from this sight is the Jalopy Showdown
http://www.beaversprings.com/

HAMB Drags - Date to be announced

Eagle Field Runway Drags - Various dates and locations
Smaller shows but no less entertaining:
https://www.facebook.com/EagleFieldRunwayDrags


With all due respect to the "big" nostalgia events such as the Bakersfield and Goodguy's events, these tend to be nostalgia in carbon fibre clothing. They have great nitro shows and a smattering of "real" vintage / nostalgia but in the end it's all about billet wheels and modern technology.

Have fun

 

Eagle Field May 15-17th Firebaugh Calif.

 

Meltdowns for sure and the HAMB drags but sure would be nice to see it turn into a 2 or 3 day event.

 

You should make a point to stop and watch Quain and the South East Gassers: http://www.southeastgassers.com/

 

holley hot rod reunion in bowling green Kentucky in mid june..........1964 and down race cars. tons of old school nostalgia and a great track for spectators.......also car show, upwards of 1500 entries, and swap meet...great camp ground at the track......

 

The Meltdown Drags gets my nod for a true Nostalgia event......they "Get It".......we are trying at Eagle Field with the introduction of Billetproof Drags to our line up May 15th 2015...........we will see how the West Coast guys and gals support it. Click on these 2 titles for LINK and Info.
Billetproof Drags @ Eagle Field Friday Night May 15th
Eagle Field Fresno Dragways Reunion May 16th

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/steel-in-motion-2015-may-15-and-16-union-s-c.958404/

I would put Steel in Motion as the "must see" nostalgia race/show in the southeast right now.

I don't have any decent shots of the show itself since I was busy with my dragster (just out of this frame) but it's as big of a nostalgia show/race & period correct stuff as I've seen in GA, SC, NC, AL, and FL.

Here's where I spent most of the weekend:

 

By far the best is the NHRA Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green KY the middle of June.

 

Anywhere these guys are running. HRP

 

if you want real antique drags and are coming to Calif, you need to go to the Antique Nationals in Fontana, Ca.
http://www.autoclubdragway.com/Tickets-and-Events/Antique-Nationals.aspx

 

I would vote for the NHRA Hotrod Reunion in Bowling Green, KY. Iwitnessed the inaugural event. You can't go wrong with 75-80 Willys gassers in one class. My next event would have to be the Meltdown in Illinois. Next up, the Friday night drags at the Leadsled Spectacular in Salina, KS. And finally the HAMB Drags here in Missouri. Get out and see great vintage racecars.

 

I've gotta put the Billetproof Series of vintage drags out there as a must see. California, Washington and Florida. The California event is new this year and will be on May 15, Friday night, under the lights. Something that I dont know if any other vintage race is doing. The Washington event has really exploded. Amazing track location (in the shadow of Mt. St. Helens) and GREAT turn out. Watch for news about the Florida event coming soon. Some cool things are going to happen there.

One special Billetproof event is the Michigan show, which is held in conjunction with the Detroit DragWay Reunion. Car show on the spectator side of the track, vintage (for the most part) racing all day on the track. Funny Cars and gassers dominate the staging lanes.

for info and dates go to Billetproof.com


Billetproof Hot Rod Eruption Drags, Washington







Billetproof Michigan Show/Detroit Dragway Reunion:




Here are a couple hundred photos from the event:
http://public.fotki.com/funman1712/11-scale-automotive/2014-billetproof-an/


Billetproof Florida Drags:

 

Steel In Motion! www.steelinmotion.net for all the details.

 

There's a nostalgia funny car meet at Quaker City Dragway in Salem, Ohio on May 24th, Thompson Gasser Reunion, Thompson Dragway in Thompson, Ohio June 6 & 7, and closer to home is the Empire Gold Cup, Empire Dragway in Leicester, N.Y. on July 24 - 26.

 

If you want to see Nostalgia Funny cars then The March Meet (Bakersfield, CA) or The Hot Rod Reunion at either Bowling Green or Famoso - If you don't care about Nitro, then listen to the guys above

 

MELTDOWN in Byron, Illinois

 

Epping, NH...If you guys don't mention it it won't grow any...Just saying..