NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

NHRA Museum celebrates a blockbuster weekend at the 75th Grand National Roadster Show

The GNRS delivered an unforgettable weekend of hot rod excellence — and the roots of the National Hot Rod Association were on display everywhere.
03 Feb 2025
David Kennedy
Feature
Albertson Oldsmobile dragster

A staple of the hot rod world since 1950, the 75th annual Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS)  is the longest-running indoor car show in the United States, bringing together the most stunning handcrafted roadsters in pursuit of the coveted title of America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR).

1955 AMBR WinerAs part of the milestone celebration, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum played a supporting role in bridging the legacy of the Grand National Roadster Show with the nearly 75-year history of NHRA (1951-2026). The weekend’s festivities began with an exclusive Thursday night dinner hosted by the Petersen Automotive Museum’s Checkered Flag 200 Club, providing an intimate setting for its members of industry legends and car enthusiasts to connect. The dinner led into a private preview of the GNRS, allowing attendees a first look at the exceptional builds before the doors officially opened to the public on Friday.

 

The cars were the stars at the 2025 Grand National Roadster Show

1955 Chevy 210

On Friday evening, after the first full day of the show, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum once again teamed up with the Petersen Museum and the Lions Automobilia Foundation to host a special dinner honoring all Grand National Roadster Show Hall of Fame members. This tribute recognized the icons who have shaped hot rodding, including NHRA legends such as Wally Parks, Ed Iskenderian, Alex Xydias, and Tommy Ivo, as well as adjacent industry pioneers like Boyd Coddington, Chip Foose, and George Barris. A complete list of Hall of Fame inductees can be found here.

Soeed Demon

 

 

With the 2026 NHRA 75th Anniversary on the horizon, this year’s Grand National Roadster Show was a fitting reminder of NHRA’s enduring legacy and its deep connection to the custom car culture that continues to thrive today.