The 2024 California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports, took place from October 25 to 27 at the historic Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield. A cornerstone of nostalgia drag racing since its inception in 1992, the event has faced numerous challenges in recent years, for different reasons. To restore its legendary status, Blake Bowser and his team took over its management from the NHRA, implementing a revitalisation plan aimed at bringing back its former excitement and prestige. Despite this transition, the NHRA Museum continued to benefit from the event, ensuring its historical significance remained intact.
The event Fans were treated to thrilling races featuring AA/Fuel Altereds, front-engine dragsters, and other classic vehicles, culminating in the final rounds of AA/FA, Funny Car, and Top Fuel categories. Most nights, fans were treated to some excellent evening “Twilight Nitro” sessions, providing a spectacular display of illuminated drag racing, adding a unique flair to the event
Similar to previous events, the 2024 running featured a showcase of meticulously maintained vintage hot rods and classic cars, offering enthusiasts a chance to admire and discuss the history of drag racing.
Attendees explored a diverse array of vendors and a bustling swap meet, providing opportunities to purchase memorabilia, parts, and merchandise.
The NHRA offered daily coverage and wrap‑up shows, including Friday and Saturday action narrated by Brian Lohnes, showcasing AA/Fuel Altereds, front‑engine dragsters, and other nostalgia classes under the lights
The event also marked the conclusion of the 2024 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, where champions in 13 classes were crowned
Top Fuel Dragster
Top Fuel Dragster Included rescheduled Tulsa race (cancelled due to bad weather earlier in the season), meaning double points and extra pressure.
Qualifying Highlights
Pete Kaiser led the class with a 5.735 s run at 253.59 mph, topping Friday’s leaderboard in the Tulsa make‑up combined event. Tyler Hilton was a close second with a 5.770 s at 255.39 mph, and Shawn Bowen was just .006 behind Hilton in third
In later sessions, Hilton edged out others with a 5.67 s pass at 258.17 mph, securing the #1 qualifier spot for the final order, with Kaiser second at 5.69 s, and Tyler Hester third at 5.73 s
The final matchup was between Tyler Hilton and Pete Kaiser. Kaiser red‑lighted with a 0.142 s foul, handing the victory to Hilton, who clocked a winning 5.665 s pass at 259+ mph. Pete’s run was slower and invalidated due to red‑lighting
Tyler Hilton not only won the Top Fuel title at the event but also secured the overall Heritage Series championship for 2024.
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Tyler Hilton hails from a multigenerational drag racing family steeped in tradition. His grandmother, Alison Lee, and grandfather, Jim Lee, campaigned top-tier Top Fuel dragsters in the 1960s and ’70s. Tyler drives the Great Expectations III, painted as a homage to Lee’s iconic machines
Tyler’s father, Robert Hilton, serves as crew chief, and Alison Lee remains deeply involved in tuning and team strategy, ensuring that both heritage and performance stay alive in each run
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Pete Kaiser, though consistently fast all weekend, was thwarted in the final round by a red‑light foul.
Funny Car
Coming into the event top two drivers in the points battle were Nathan Sitko and Shane Westerfield , with (three-time champion) Bobby Cottrell and Geoff Monise just behind. Upsets to Nathan and Shane in Round One altered the series outcome early on
Jeff Arend proved that consistency and experience win races. Jeff staged solo and ran a conservative 5.946 s @ 179.17 mph pass to take the event victory after Bobby Cottrell’s car caught fire during his burnout after his semifinal win and was too damaged to make the final call.
Bobby Cottrell won the overall war and another Heritage Series title, even though he couldn’t start in the final
The 2024 CHRR’s Funny Car field may have been one of the most competitive in Heritage Series history, featuring sub-5.70s from at least five different teams.
🏁 Championship Wrap‑Up & Final Standings
2024 Heritage Series Funny Car Champion: Bobby Cottrell — 361 pts
Nathan Sitko — 353 pts (2nd)
Jeff Arend — 351 pts (3rd)
Geoff Monise — 346 pts (4th)
Shane Westerfield — 309 pts (5th)
AA/Fuel Altered
Fuel altered had 16 cars entered, and the racing was fast and wild at times
Vince Karstatter earned the No. 1 qualifying position, posting a 6.077-second pass at 234 mph in Johnny West’s “Plan A” 23T car.
In the final round, Karstatter faced off against Pete Peterson (who qualified No. 3). Karstatter left first (0.108 reaction vs. Peterson’s 0.122) and held on with a near-perfect 6.008-second pass at 240.83 mph, beating Peterson’s 6.140 at 238.79 mph.
My drive to the track everyday 🙂
For 2025. The NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion will join forces with the Nitro Revival event to will bring together the best elements of both historic events at the storied California racetrack. Re-energizing the reunion, a staple of the nostalgia scene since 1992, with the popular Nitro Revival, which has drawn scores of famed names from drag racing’s past and thousands of fans for autograph sessions and massive Cacklefests during its five-year run at recently closed Irwindale Dragstrip.
