Drag Racing HISTORY is ALIVE at the Nostalgia Nationals

The Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals presented by Holley (formerly the Hot Rod Reunion) is one of the greatest gatherings of historic drag cars in the world. Check out my highlights and some of my favorite old school race cars on site. Gassers, dragsters, funny cars and more!
#dragracing #dragcar #nostalgia

[@thesquirrelchroniclesakare7808]

Dude.... This was awesome ! Thank you so much for bringing us this video of our forefathers ! WOW

[@richdiscoveries]

Not even halfway through this yet, and so many beautiful vehicles. Thank you for taking us along

[@moniquelee3623]

''The best racing moments are the ones that make you feel alive, even if they scare you.'' Gilles Villeneuve

[@lancesteele9719]

Love this video ! Drag cars from the '60s are what I grew up with and still love to this day ! Thanks for sharing !

[@justinsamberg]

The yellow dragster was owned by Chico Bruchini That was the dragster he won the winter nationals with. I worked him about 25 years ago. He was know as the best Algon tuner in the early days when mechanical fuel injection was the new thing. He was a great guy and only lived to race! He also never missed any events during the race season ever! They used to say he was the... "The King of the slow drags" I believe the chassis was built by Pete Ogden but I don't know for sure.

[@spidersinspace1099]

I grew up during the 50's and 60's. Spent every Saturday and sometimes Sundays hanging out at Lions Drag Strip in Long Beach, CA. IMO, those were the best years to be alive if you were into the hot rod and drag racing scene.

[@halseyknox]

Oh my God!.....Dick Harrell's 68 camaro F/C is the holy grail of this video...the original paint and lettering is mind blowing...look at all the sponsorship lettering on the trunk lid...my opinion would to apply some clear coating to preserve the original paint including the burn marks from the headers. Square cage chassis funny cars of this era are super cool. I would venture to say this car has an OEM style onboard starter as well. I had the pleasure about 6-7 years ago when attending the hot rod reunion in Bakersfield to sit in the original "Goodies Speed Shop" restored 69 jungle Jim nova funny car that won, I believe the inaugural NHRA funny eliminator at the 1969;winternationals, which was also a square caged chassis car. With all that room in that style roll cage chassis I had a hell of a time getting in and out of it...pounding a few brewskis in the morning probably didn't help but it was like dream come true to sit in the very car that jungle drove. The other cool thing is that the owner of this car also had the restored twin sister "Steve Kanuka" sponsored car driven by Clare Sanders....that was a good day!!!!😊

[@stayhappy9893]

It was a great event. Don't you just love how close you can get to the action at the line. 🥰 Me too on still calling it The Hot Rod Reunion.

[@1320quick]

Enjoyed the video. I was there Friday and Saturday and had a great time. Love the old nostalgic racing.

[@brendangeraghty8865]

Thanks for letting us tag along, what a great event. My eyes went straight to those magnesium wheels..

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

I attempted to license in Jr Fueler in 1969, I was 15-1/2 and had saved enough from my paper route to rent OCIR for the day, $25 bucks or $45 if you wanted an ambulance there. It was the only way my uncles would let me drive the digger. The reasons the cars were that short in length was so that they fit into a home garage. One of my uncle's owned Pomona Race Cars and the first thing he asks the buyer of his dragster frames was how long was his garage. This is Anaheim, it's in Orange County California 1968. 2 streets over lived the Worsham's. They would leave the funny car body out on the front suburban yard, sometimes for all night. We didn't have no shops like they have today, we had a toolbox and a station wagon.

[@nzsaltflatsracer8054]

Yep, I'm still that way today. A 30ft shed with a 40ft streamliner & an open trailer.

[@riverrat130]

Thank you soooo much. I am from Kentucky and a couple of my friends and myself would spend a month every nite there. Great times long lasting memories. I missed the last few years due to health issues.

[@Mike-Olds-1]

If there’s such a place as heaven on earth you were there Sir. 👍🇺🇸

[@robertwagner8596]

as always,enjoyed your show,thanks and good job...

[@alanburton3578]

Thank You. Stunning old Classics

[@mikedaugharty5544]

Thank you very much it was a awesome stunning video I love them old cars you did a great job keep it up and thank you again for all your time you put into that thank you harder

[@1973406]

Awesome video Tommy! Larry York here. I've had the opportunity to sit in the Cox and Amos dragster while it was running on 90% Nitro! It was an awesome experience!!

[@russellpoland6637]

Great Great stuff here! Thank You so much for sharing with Us here on the tube. Later

[@bill8234]

I can’t thank you enough for the excellent video and sharing your extensive knowledge.. In the early ‘70’s, my girlfriend’s brother, Alan Jaynes, worked for Gary Ormsby, the top fuel champ. The last time I saw Allan, he was restoring early front motor cars, keeping his passion for racing alive and well. Hearing you describe the cars reminded me so much of Alan, a talented man and a great guy . Thank you !

[@JCImageInc.]

Such a great video, thank you for bringing us with you!!

[@andreamills5852]

19:45 Is my favorite . I love all of them but My heart is with Mopar . A lot of history here . Thanks for all your hard work putting together these videos .

[@stebstebanesier6205]

Thank you, I had completely forgotten about the adds in the back of Hotrod magazine. When I was a kid I would look through those want adds and dream of what could be.

[@1ls376]

Remembering watching Dickey Harrell FC at the old Green Valley track in Texas.

[@dannybenfield1164]

Cool looking old hot rod 's

[@finnyyrw]

Loved the Anglia or ford pop great footage all the wa from Scotland

[@glennhales7302]

It was cool seeing the Dick Harrell cars. My engine in my car was built by his nephew, Russ Hall, whose name is on the trunk under crew member.

[@timothymaiden1345]

Man..... that looks like a awesome event ! I lived in KY for 20 years and we use to go to Bowling Green a lot for races. I seem to always have something to do this weekend though. Love seeing all the ol cars I remember seeing growing up. LOVE IT

[@garyslentzii2796]

Outstanding video! I love going to my local track for the Nostalgia Drags here in PA.

[@thelilbittyhemis9410]

Tommy Lee thanks for highlighting the Mize cars! Dad rally enjoys still make passes at 87 years young in the Anglia.

[@toddnash7194]

Truly love that you are into the old nostalgia stuff love your vids. And love fact you spend it with your dad. Mine had me into since birth. Lost him 2001. He famous words while he worked on all my race cars " you need see how im doing this not gonna be here forever " we actually owned 1969 woody Gilmore dragster the original. " foolish pleasure " car. Now a old racing friend in Brenham tx named Quince Hitt has it. It still has the original 1969 hillborn injection set up on it. Sent it to them to set it up for 60% nitro and they wanted the car and set up to display. Its the one Jim Tuttle had them build for the motor in the car. It was a texas car all its life. 60s 70s were the greatest times for drag racing. Owners and crews were all working on it. Most for free not 3 diget numbers. And just about anyone with job could go racing. Lol. Its just to over done and over corporate for me now. Watching your vids make me remember how fortunate we all were to be apart of that. Ty

[@robcates2383]

Another amazing, awesome, tremendous video!!! Wish I could go!!

[@mick_1949]

Still pulling great numbers too. Very cool champion 👍🇦🇺

[@Red-rl1xx]

Super cool!

[@WayApp]

A true celebration of the sport! 🏁💥

[@davejobe6282]

Really enjoyed this ! Thank you

[@toddclark332]

❤👍🤘💪🙏🇱🇷 thank you bud have a great weekend

[@jasonjohnson6344]

I’m glad my nephew turned me on to your channel. Another great video brother, thanks. 👏👍✌️

[@andreamills5852]

Awesome !

[@allanrichards3752]

Brilliant video and very informative on the history. It is interesting to see so many Anglia's that made it to the USA. Here in the UK they are still a very popular class of racing with the Outlaw Anglia's with some cars now hitting 200mph. I went to the Hot Rod reunion before Covid when it was at Famoso. I agree it is a must see meeting. We have the Dragstalgia meeting at Santa Pod raceway which is one of the best meetings of the year.

[@karensavarese5684]

Great!! Love it. Ol Skool bad azz kool. Keep bringin it, Daddy O,,,Izzy Strong,,,,

[@terryeustice5399]

Very cool 😎 💯👍

[@granddad-mv5ef]

Until now, the only Hot Rod Reunion I knew is the one in California. I REALLY appreciate this vid which I watched beginning to end. Assuming the trip is possible, I know where I will be next Father's Day weekend! One comment, there is no way in the world I could build a "cackle car". While probably (LOL) too old to drive, thinking a volunteer might enjoy 5-second trips down the track.

[@EnfieldJoe]

Thanks for sharing. Excellent video and commentary!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Nice video!!!!!!!!!!! 👍👍

[@markwray3905]

Great content 😊

[@tonyt8805]

Amazing video Tommy-Lee.....🎊 😎 🎊

[@vehdynam]

Great video and commentary. Many thanks.

[@NitroModelsAndComics]

Great stuff as always. Thank you.

[@stevehilliard1495]

Great job my friend, super interesting work

[@williamkriekaard9829]

Awesome video! love that so much history and information is included. thanks for sharing 😎👍

[@timdodd3897]

Amazing. Thanks a lot!

[@tomp1612]

Nice job of this video.... well, actually nice job of ALL your videos. And the books too....

[@MoeLarrycurly1]

Sweet bikes🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️🏍️

[@randysmith9636]

Thank you very much for the video brother. In 84 (possible 83)I went to the Nostalgia Drags at Milan Dragway in Michigan and while walking around I spotted a familiar Black trailer at the very far end of the strip. The wife and I walked out there and sure enough it was Big Daddy himself with his wife. I do not remember which swamp rat he had but I spoke to them for a good 15 or 20 minutes. I got a couple autographs some pictures and left him to his privacy.

[@Combatkid174]

Fantastic Video. Walk thru time ..

[@gatesyslots]

Cool cars!

[@mattskustomkreations]

Outstanding cars, and those drag bikes blew me away!

[@stevenikitas8170]

That milk truck is one of the most awesome dragsters ever....

[@charliechristie2949]

At 10:25 a look at Dick Harrell's Camaro funny car. It was a time when funny cars actually ran the manufacturers engines. This one is a big block chevy. I remember the Fords ran Cammer big blocks. Then came a time when they all realised the HEMI was the way to go.......There were big complaints from the Mopar camp. Imagine a Camaro running a Hemi and winning a race and the announcer would yell, "Look at that Chevy go !"........Lord have mercy !!

[@eddiejohnson349]

Thanks man I enjoyed the video

[@ror312gallery19]

thanks HRH, great job, more please, cheers from italy,,Robert

[@RandysFiftySevenChevy]

Beech Bend, the best prepped track in the USA. If it smells sweet, you know they laid out the grape syrup.

[@butchsanders6113]

That was great👍😎😜

[@halperkins1791]

Oh my that Dickie Harrell car is beautiful

[@taylormayberry4826]

Awesome video that’s on a bucket list of mine. That cammer powered cackle car was sweet also the racing at the end one of the blown dragsters looked to have a early olds engine in it? Not a 100% sure

[@geraldhague6170]

Very cool video awesome cars I love the nostalgia drags

[@horseyhorselips3501]

Yes Old School Dragracing from 1968-1973 we’re the Years I walked seven miles every Sunday at Niagara And haven’t been to a Dragstrip since unfortunately

[@RodderTV]

Awesome video. Great job on the V/O🏆

[@347mav3]

The Buzzard Bait car. There's a Mann speed shop in Kansas city? Just a thought. Cool video cool cars

[@kayejaye261]

Great vid. Thank u so much. Just found ur channel. Can't wait to binge some of ur vids. Great narration and camera work.

[@TheBucketlistMob]

You tube goals!! We'll get there one day!

[@shaunroberts9361]

Wow, friggin Outstanding

[@kenreeve6549]

Another great vid thank you

[@austinb1899]

great video !

[@Hcjs7]

Great video .to touch base on that black Belvedere .paint by Kessler brothers .probably Vic Kessler ,he was a well known pinstriper in queens ny where I grew up .his trademark is 2 bare feet side by side .

[@williamweiss6128]

Oh yea!! Love this.

[@andreamills5852]

Kessler Brothers were racers out of Ocala Fl. if I remember correctly . Maybe this clue could help.

[@brocluno01]

Nice 😊

[@ricksalmon4916]

Mann Speed Specialties was on Truman Road in Independence Mo. Search for Don Mann…

[@666morello]

great camera work my friend

[@luizfernando-ko4gi]

Muito top dragster antigos!! Like e inscrito do Brasil

[@tommycook9620]

Hell yea man

[@robertbihn3005]

@12:45 this rail is marked as A/FD (no blower) so it was injected, blower looks too big anyway. I loved A/FD class, one step below AA/FD, but it seemed there were less of A/FD if that makes any sense. A/D was gas. I can't believe all the stuff in this video ! What kind of device you're using sure makes super clear video, and you made 28+ min seem like 10, new sub today and thank you !

[@michaela.2933]

I belive that 64 Plymouth was a car that ran on Long Island. a1 racing automatic is on sunrise hywy. Kessler is a local pinstriped in college point queens

[@tphvictims5101]

Automatic thumbs up 👍🏻

[@erics3424]

Hope that Super Six car goes back to a 6 banger. That would be amazing.

[@fredpetts560]

Great video

[@lunchboxproductions1183]

Tire technology progressing is what "killed" gassers. The nose high stance, moving the wheelbase forward and engine height/setback were all attempts to get traction with the primitive slicks of the day. As tires progressed, front ends came down and there was no longer a reason to move the axles forward.

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

ps that Anglia was the chit for sure dou thank you 🤩cooter out😎

[@whytebearconcepts]

Buzzard Bait looks like maybe the rear wheel openings were radiused for bigger tires?

[@gillboardman8998]

Watching that, I really don't think I'd like to go 100+ mph in a milk truck.😬

[@scooterdoughmas3012]

holy chit just what the papa ordered🤩

[@stephenlee3390]

A good friend of mine built camaro funny cars, Diamond Engineering Signorelli Bros racing

[@edlattina2638]

I'm still searching for a 40 to 46 dodge truck for a project looking to replace a project that was stolen.

[@jamesturner8080]

Nitro Revival irwindale raceway November 4th and 5th

[@charliechristie2949]

Starting at 19:15 it does my heart good to see Reid Whisnant's Pro Stocker from the early days. In 1970 and 71 the Hemi cars were unbeatable. So unbeatable that Grumpy Jenkins held true to his name and went to NHRA and got them to give all BUT the Hemi cars a .5 lb less per cubic inch weight reduction per cubic inch. The Hemi cars had to run 213 lbs heavier that the Chevys and Fords. It finished 1972 for Mopar. It was bad enough that Chrysler corp (MOPAR) boycotted NHRA.......It was awful...........It did allow the Pintos and Vegas to dominate with small blocks. The weight advantage made the class Chevy, Ford, AMC (Wally Booth) ..........No Hemis..................!

[@dresdensvo]

Mann Speed is in KC. MO.

[@LucasMcClureProductions]

I w as surpirised to learn WVs drag racing history a copo was out of our state i believe junkcar willy in facebook posts alot

[@icewaterslim7260]

That beautiful Red Ram digger @14:05 is is running in a gas class.? I have this insane urge to try a DeSoto FED in a nostalgia gas class if they have 'em. I'm having trouble finding the valid link for the 2024 NHRA rulebook.. Are the Nostalgia Heritage classes included with the NHRA rules?

[@eason3]

Owner of new Yello Belly drag strip open for events planning