NITRO REVIVAL IS GOING TO FAMOSO!

Two of drag racing’s premiere nostalgia-themed events, the NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion and the Nitro Revival, will unite for a star-studded, action-packed weekend at Famoso Dragstrip Oct. 24-26, 2025.

The NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion featuring the Nitro Revival will bring together the best elements of both historic events at the storied California racetrack, re-energizing the Reunion, a staple of the nostalgia scene since 1992, with the popular Nitro Revival, which has drawn scores of famed names from drag racing’s past and thousands of fans for autograph sessions and massive Cacklefests during its five-year run at recently closed Irwindale Dragstrip.

The NHRA California Hot Rod Reunion presented by Good Vibrations will be the final event of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series racing season, with nostalgia drag racing highlighted by Top Fuel, Funny Cars, and Gassers and all of the other Heritage Series classes. Blake Bowser at Famoso took over the running of that event last year and created renewed interest in the event, which now will be supercharged with the elements of the popular Nitro Revival, which was created by Steve and Cindy Gibbs. The proceeds of the combined event will benefit the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif.

Fans attending the event will be treated to the largest gathering of Cacklefest cars you'll see anywhere, complete with the popular push starts and fire-ups. Friday night’s social gathering at the track while Saturday will be highlighted by the All-Star Autograph Session, where fans can meet dozens of drag racing Hall of Fame members and witness the annual Nitro Revival Honoree Presentation. There will also be a silent auction of incredible drag racing memorabilia up for bid.

“It was an honor that NHRA trusted me to run last year's Reunion for them, and that was a huge step,” said Bowser. “And now we've got Steve and Cindy joining with us, and you can trust us that we will put on a good show, and I’m proud to be the conduit that is helping to make this happen. We're going to honor what Steve and Cindy have done and combine it with the great parts of the Reunion, and it's going to work out for everybody. It's going to be a win for everyone, from the fans to the racers to the media.”

“We’re really happy to see these two elements of the sport combine to honor the cars and the people of the sport, which was the original idea for the Hot Rod Reunion so many years ago,” said Steve Gibbs. “We’re going to do our best to recapture the feeling of those early Reunions as a celebration of the sport and its history, and Cindy and I are pleased to do our part in conjunction with Blake and his great staff at Famoso.”

More information, including scheduling, ticket sales, and more details about the event, will be released throughout the year leading up to the event.

-Phil Burgess

nhra.com