Father’s Day weekend at Beech Bend has historically been an action-packed weekend of racing in years past, and this year’s Wally Parks NHRA Nostalgia Nationals event was no different. Presented by Holley, the event from NHRA featured all manner of fast machines, with nostalgic racecars and pristine show cars from decades past set in the rolling hills of Beech Bend Raceway Park. Eventgoers on the grounds were able to enjoy a full weekend of automotive activities, from checking out the Show N Shine car show, to haggling for parts at the swap meet, to watching the intense racing on the drag strip. Spectators even had the opportunity to meet and get autographs from several NHRA legends, including “Big Daddy” Don Garlits – who was named this year’s Grand Marshal for the event.

While the event benefits the NHRA Motorsports Museum, arguably the biggest benefactors of the event are the fans – dazzled by the visual and auditory spectacle put on by the nostalgia cars. Fans from near and far came together to celebrate the history of drag racing at Beech Bend Raceway.

Some fans don’t just celebrate drag racing’s history, some of them actively take part in preserving that history, like the Pinkins family. The Pinkins family made the trek from Plainfield, Indiana, to participate in the event and to provide support for their other family members that were racing. In their family, racing is a family event, where everyone gets involved and learns along the way, including teaching the next generation. “We’re out here supporting my uncle, my grandpa… a lot of our family races,” said Isaiah Patton. Unfortunately, their grandfather Ron Pinkins, and his “Wild Cherry” Chevelle, did not advance to the next round of racing.

As the day went on, spectators saw each class of racing transpire and were treated to smoky burnouts in the burnout box and wheels up in the air, as the cars screamed down the strip with each pass. Some nostalgia top-fuel cars were in the mix, their thundering sounds bouncing off the nearby trees and farmland and finally echoing through the Barren River riverfront venue that is Beech Bend Raceway.

As the event wound down, some folks headed to the Holley headquarters, for a reception event with “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. There, people enjoyed an impromptu car show and food from Mission BBQ, while Brian Lohnes sat down with Don Garlits to ask questions about drag racing’s history and the “Big Daddy’s” influence on the sport throughout the years. Garlits reminisced about his career, while Brian Lohnes kept the questions coming, providing the audience with story after story about how the NHRA legend made a name for himself over the past decades. At the end of the reception, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum presented Don with a commemorative jacket, and fans were able to take a photo with the legend before heading off to enjoy the evening with their hot rods.