NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Father’s Day weekend in Kentucky traditionally means one thing for drag racing fans: the rumble of vintage steel at the Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals. While Mother Nature had her own plans this year — curtailing some of the racing action at Beech Bend Raceway — the spirit of hot rodding remains as strong as ever.

The historic grounds of Beech Bend came alive with a rolling museum of American horsepower and the next stop of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series. From high-winding Gassers and classic Top Fuelers to vintage Super Stocks and period-correct rails, the pits and show areas were packed with mechanical memories. Even when the track went quiet, the energy didn’t dip. Instead, cars, trucks, and custom rods cruised through the park, echoing the grassroots spirit that built drag racing into a national pastime.

Fans and families gathered under the  track's iconic covered grandstands, sharing stories, swapping parts, and admiring rides that defined entire eras of performance. The unmistakable scent of nitro still hung in the air as racers took advantage of every dry window to launch their machines down the eighth-mile strip. When racing resumed, it was a celebration of resilience, highlighting how this community knows how to make the most of any moment.

Even if you couldn’t make it to Bowling Green, Ky., this year, the action is being livestreamed all weekend long at NHRA.tv, bringing the thunder of nostalgia drag racing right to your screen. From burnout box to finish line, the passion is just a click away.

The Wally Parks Nostalgia Nationals isn’t just about elapsed times and reaction lights — it’s about honoring a legacy. Named for NHRA’s founder, a visionary who helped organize the hot-rodding movement into the sport we know today, this event is more than a race; it’s a reunion. It brings generations together to celebrate not just speed, but style, soul, and tradition.

Looking ahead, mark your calendar: ticket information for the 2026 event will be posted at the NHRA Museum. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this unforgettable celebration of racing history.