This year time constraints limited our ability to join in with this years 20th Anniversary NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion in Bakersfield, California. Festivities were held at the famous Auto Club Famoso track over the past weekend on October 21-23, 2011.

According to the NHRA Museum website, the reunion, “…will go down in the history books for its wonderful weather, large crowds, cool cars and amazing nostalgia drag racing.” With words like that, it’s a shame we missed it. However, the museum has the entire coverage on their website with tons of additional information.

To give you a quick recap on the event, Reunion Director, Tony Thacker, was quoted as saying, “This has been our largest-attended Reunion ever. We are thrilled with the support of the sponsor, spectators and participants. The cooperation we received from Auto Club Famoso Raceway is unprecedented, and we all keep these Reunions going for many years to come.”

it’s been twenty years since the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion opened its doors to create this awesome event. Two decades later, The Reunions are still bringing in some of the legends of the industry and included Grand Marshal Steve Gibbs whose vision created the Reunion, and Honorees Harry Hibler, Wayne King, John Peters, Dwight Salisbury, and the late George Santos, who unfortunately passed away just a couple weeks shy of the event.

Of course, there was plenty for the whole family to participate in. Racers had the opportunity to make laps at the track, while the buy-happy took to the seemingly endless variety of swap meet vendors to purchase shirts, hats, parts, and historical artifacts.

For more information on the 20th Anniversary of the the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion, be sure to check out the NHRA Museum and their calender of events. They’re listing most of their future events so be sure to add those to your calender! If you missed this awesome event, the 21st NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion will take place October 19-21, 2012 so don’t forget.