DragCoverage.com Internet Magazine
Posted Feb.18

A funny thing is happening on the way to the 2010 March Meet nostalgia drag race: Funny Cars are having the last laugh - seriously. With 32 entries - the largest field since 1980 - and 14-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force tabbed as this year's Grand Marshal, Nostalgia Funny Cars will indeed reign supreme at the 52nd running of the March Meet, Mar. 5-7 at historic Auto Club Famous Raceway in McFarland, Calif.

"It's a real blast from the past for nostalgia drag racing fans," said Blake Bowser, vice president and general manager of the Kern County Racing Association, operators of Auto Club Famoso and producers of the March Meet. "Fans love the wild looks and sounds of these famous, colorful Nostalgia Funny Cars from the 1960s and '70s. The fact that this year's March Meet will have the largest field of Nostalgia Funny Cars in 30 years is incredible."

Bowser said Nostalgia Funny Cars bodies resemble 1979 or older American production vehicles. "The first funny cars were built in the mid-'60s and named because the rear wheels had been moved forward on the chassis to improve weight transfer under acceleration, increasing traction on the rear tires, which were oversized compared to stock. Looking at the cars, they didn't quite look stock, hence the name 'funny.' Nostalgia Funny Cars can reach speeds as fast as 250 miles per hour.

Among the stellar field of Nostalgia Funny Cars is one that teams two-time NHRA Funny Car champion Cruz Pedregon and 10-time NHRA Division 6 champion Bucky Austin. Pedregon, the 2009 March Meet Grand Marshal, will drive a replica of the Joe Pisano 1978 Plymouth Arrow Funny Car. Austin, who won Nostalgia Funny Car titles at the 2008 and 2009 March Meets, will be the crew chief this time.

"Bucky's going to run it and tune it, and I'm going to drive it," Pedregon said, about the upcoming March Meet, which also kickoffs off the NHRA's 9-race Hot Rod Heritage Series season. "I built that car to race it," he said. "It would be a shame for it to sit and collect dust. I'm a big fan of vintage Funny Cars."

Other notable Nostalgia Funny Car entries include 2009 Hot Rod Reunion Champion Kris Krabil; Troy Green, who has jumped from Nostalgia Top Fuel and is now driving the Bomb Squad; Mendy Fry, who will be in Gary Messenger's Future Flash; Mark Sanders driving the Mr. Explosive car and Ed Dougan in the Fighting Irish car.

Others drivers include Mike Halstead, Jim Adolph, Nathan Bugg, Bob Godfrey, Dan Horan Jr., Dale Van Gundy, Roger Garten, Craig Michael and Chris Bennet. Newcomers include Paul Romine and Jason Rupert.

"NHRA driver Gary Densham called me and said he is waiting for his Nostalgia Funny Car to get back from Australia," Bowser said. "He said it should be here at the end of February, and if it is, he's coming to the March Meet, too. It seems likes everyone wants to race in this event."

Now celebrating 52 years of racing, the March Meet is a three-day speedfest that enthusiasts call 'the jewel of Nostalgia Racing.' It attracts drag racers and spectators from around the world and also includes a hot rod car show, swap meet and a vendors' midway. Drag racing legend John Force is this year's Grand Marshal.

The 2010 March Meet is also the first race of the Hot Rod Heritage Series, the NHRA's 9-race nostalgia racing series.

Fans can purchase a Super 3-Day Pass for $75 online now at www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com and pick them up at the track the week of the event. There are no service charges for tickets purchased online.

Individual day tickets for the event will go on sale Mar.1, but will be available only at the track. Ticket prices are $25 for Fri., Mar. 5; $30 for Sat., Mar. 6; and $30 for Sun., Mar. 7.

Auto Club members also receive a $ 2 discount off daily admission tickets by showing their cards when they purchase tickets at the track. Daily tickets for children ages 7 to 12 are $10 and kids 6 and under are free when accompanied by an adult with paid admission.

The Kern County Racing Association (KCRA) operates historic Auto Club Famoso Raceway (just north of Bakersfield, Calif.) and promotes a full schedule of races year round, including the world famous March Meet, Mar. 5-7, 2010, is the recognized Mecca of nostalgia drag racing. For more details, visit www.autoclubfamosoraceway.com.