First Win for Lincoln Hassell in Nostalgia Top Fuel and Peter Gallen Crowned Two-Time Nostalgia Funny Car Champ at the 9th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA, June 16-18
BOWLING GREEN, KY (Monday, June 20, 2011) – It was a wet and wild Father’s Day weekend for more than 400 racers competing in the Hot Heads Research & Racing Eliminations at the 9th annual Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA at Beech Bend Raceway Park, June 16-18. Rain storms on Friday and Saturday put racing on a temporary hold. By late Saturday evening, 11 nostalgic racers were crowned and celebrating with family and crews in the Winner’s Circle.
In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Lincoln Hassell of Raleigh, NC defeated Jim Young of Salem, Wi who ran at the top round after round but in the finals his engine failed and was unable to run. Hassell had the win in the bag with a run of 12.167 et at 69.89 mph. Hassell and his team felt shorted in the win, nonetheless, they were extremely happy and pumped up enough to head out to the 20th California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California, Oct 21-23.
“I feel bad with the way that we won against Jim Young who was racing so well, but still so pleased that we ran good and it’s the first time we ran this car in 5 years” said Hassell. “I’m just so glad to be racing here on hallowed ground in Bowling Green. We look forward to this race every year and with this win we’d like to head out to California for the annual Hot Rod Reunion.”
Peter Gallen of Broomoll, PA was having a déjà vu moment when he was crowned Nostalgia Funny Car Champion. This is Gallen’s back to back win at the annual Reunion. Gallen defeated Jon Capps of Las Vegas, NV with a 6.118 et at 237.38 mph against Capps 8.796, 104.96 run. Once again, Gallen celebrated in the Winner’s Circle with his entire crew and lovely family including his toddler son who made it another awesome father’s day celebration.
“I just love this place and couldn’t have done it back to back without my amazing crew. I’m just the puppet in the circus. The one who pushes the pedals,” said Gallen.
In Junior Fuel, Ken Hawkins of Poolville, TX was left speechless and with a huge grin in the Winner’s Circle on Saturday night. Hawkins took the championship with a 7.465, 176.88 against fellow Texan Jeff Jones who ran 7.537 at 170.92 mph.
“I’m at a loss for words right now and thankful for my entire crew and family without these people this doesn’t happen,” said Hawkins.
7.0 Pro Champ Ron Huegli in his 1976 Monza “Tiki Warrior” came all the way from West Linn, OR to run at the Reunion in Bowling Green. He defeated Steve Walczak of Rochester, NY with a 7.073 at 197.16 mph.
“I feel really good we got one win and intend going to Bakersfield to get the second. We drove 2,470 miles to bring it here to Bowling Green and we showed them how it’s done Westcoast style – thanks to Mike Croft,” expressed a jubilant Huegli.
One of the most memorable and historical wins was in the AA/Gas class which only ran a 1/8th of a mile. It was a first time class that raced at the Reunion and first time win for longtime Reunion participant Fred Bear of the legendary S&S race team. Bear was crowned champion in this class making it his first win ever at the Reunion.
“This is my first national event I have ever won,” said Bear. “When I hit it into high gear, I hollered up to the sky to KS Pittman and said, ‘Buddy, we just won the Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion’.”
Holley NHRA Hot Rod Reunion RESULTS:
Nostalgia Top Fuel
Champion Lincoln Hassell, Raleigh, NC, ’05 Boulton, 12.167, 69.89
R/U Jim Young, Salem, Wi, .000
#1 Qualifier Jim Young, 6.120,214.55
Low E.T. Jim Young, 5.756
Top Speed Jim Young, 253.61
Nostalgia Funny Car
Champion Peter Gallen, Broomoll, PA, ’74 Vega, 6.118, 237.38
R/U Jon Capps, Las Vegas, NV, 8.796, 104.96
#1 Qualifier Jon Capps, 6.063, 223.14
Low E.T. Peter Gallen, 6.015
Top Speed Peter Gallen, 243.63
Junior Fuel
Champion Ken Hawkins, Poolville, TX, ’05 Boulton, 7.465, 176.88
R/U Jeff Jones, Garland, TX, 7.537, 170.92
#1 Qualifier Odie Coker, Dallas, TX, 7.287, 181.25
Low E.T. Odie Coker, 7.287
Top Speed Scott Peters, Burlingame, KS, 181.35
7.0 Pro
Champion Ron Huegli, West Linn, OR, ’76 Monza, 7.073, 197.16
R/U Steve Walczak, Rochester, NY, 7.201, 152.19
#1 Qualifier Ron Huegli, 7.080, 195.93
Competition Eliminator
Champion Jeff Bahret, Shringville, NY, ’32 Altered, 8.204, 160.56
R/U Michelle Lewis, Louisville, KY, 8.425, 182.45
#1 Qualifier Russell Snyder, Cordona, TN, 8.048
Gas Eliminator
Champion Daniel Hobbs, Hawesville, KY, ’56 Thunderbird, 9.052, 133.32
R/U Tommy Cook, Columbia, KY, 8.509, 155.87
#1 Qualifier Sam Patrick, Sand Point, MI, 10.000
Modified Eliminator
Champion Adam Cline, Franklin, KY, ’68 Camaro, 10.185, 116.58
R/U Bill Kueber, Mt Vernon, IN, 11.712, 114.41
#1 Qualifier Adam Cline, 10.009
Nostalgia Super Stock
Champion Barry Camp, Monroe, GA, ’66 Biscayne, 9.522, 122.44
R/U Clay Kossuth, Catawiss, MO, 10.058, 134.60
#1 Qualifier Richard Morris, Collierville, TN, 11.002, 121.66
Top Stock Eliminator
Champion Neal Broyles, Beech Bluff, TN, ’69 Dodge, 10.953, 120.49
R/U Chad Mahlosky, Greenville, KY, 11.444, 110.30
#1 Qualifier Neal Broyles, 11.008
Hot Rod Eliminator
Champion Dale Johnson, Franklin, KY, ’74 Vega, 9.375, 140.52
R/U Justin Leitzman, Martinsville, IN, 11.830, 110.61
#1 Qualifier Greg Turley, Louisville, KY, 12.433
Geezer Gassers
Champion Greg Burge, Petal, MS, ’41 Willys PU, 11.630, 98.77
R/U Jesse James, Waterloo, WI, 11.038, 118.51
#1 Qualifier Brian Blasey, Hawthorn Woods, IL, 11.009, 116.68
For information about the 9th Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA, visit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum at http://museum.nhra.com/.
