BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – Racing kicked off today for the 21st annual NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Automobile Club of Southern California at the iconic Auto Club Famoso Raceway with more than 200 racers in ten classes including the Nostalgia Top Fuel and Nostalgia Funny Car battle the quarter mile this weekend.           

            In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Rick Williamson of Stockton, Calif. made a 5.750 second pass at 261.02 mph taking the No. 1 qualifying position of the day, followed by Rick White, Jim Murphy, Paul Romine, Terry Cox and Rick McGee.

           In Nostalgia Funny Car, Mike Lewis posted the lowest et 5.820 in his 1971 Mustang. NHRA Top Fuel world champion Del Worsham earned the day’s top speed of 252.99 mph in his 1977 Plymouth Arrow. NHRA driver Jeff Arend, Garrett Bateman, Steven Densham, Dan Horan Jr., and Del Worsham follow behind Lewis.      

          Saturday will be highlighted by qualifying sessions in the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series finals. Exhibition runs including wild gassers and retro Funny Cars will hit the track for another thrilling race day at Auto Club Famoso. Saturday's grand finale the show-stopping Cacklefest, where dozens of historic dragsters are push started and fired up just like back in the 60s and 70s, closes the evening of the Reunion. Watch live coverage at www.bangshift.com. For race results, visit www.competitionplus.com and www.dragracecentral.com.

         After an exciting day of racing, hundreds of fans crowded into the DoubleTree Hotel for the annual Honoree Reception and praise the greatest legends of the sport including Grand Marshal TV Tommy Ivo and Honorees the Brissette Brothers, Bob and Jim; the Mallicoat Brothers, Gary and Jerry; Jim Nicoll, Marv Ripes, and Ed Sigmon.

       Gates open at 8 a.m.  Tickets are $25 Saturday and Sunday.  Children 15 and under are admitted free with a paid adult. Auto Club Famoso Raceway is located on Hwy 99 in McFarland, Calif. For more information, visit www.famosoraceway.com.