BOWLING
GREEN, Ky. – (June 17-19, 2005) – Racers, hotrodders
and fans from across America converged at the 3rd Holley NHRA
National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway Park. Three days
of beautiful weather, sell-out crowds and over 1,300 race/show
cars made this an event to remember. One of the event highlights
was the Saturday night "Cacklefest" which featured
restored and reconstructed drag race cars from the 60's and early
70's including Ron Johnson's "Shubert & Herbert"
dragster.
Ron and Kol Johnson made the long trip from San Diego,
CA to Bowling Green, KY just because they wanted to be part of
the 3rd National Hot Rod Reunion. In tow was "Shoobie",
Yohn's pride and joy. Before the racing action started, there
was a photo op on the track and they took it.
Unloaded from its massive trailer on Friday, the
car looks like its just waiting for the action to start.
Famed "Tinman"
Tom Hanna stopped by for a seat in the S&H cockpit. For some
reason retired TF driver, Steve Carbone finds it funny.
After much ado it was
time to play. Shoobie is towed up to the staging lanes prior
to Saturday nights "Cacklefest".
As done
at CHRR last year, Cacklefest was staged as a silent "push
parade" downtrack during which Dave McClelland provided
information on each participant for the spectators. The cars
were turned around downtrack to return fired up for the Cacklefest
lineup. This format works well and will likely be the "standard"
going forward.
Commentary by Vic Cooke
Using a borrowed period
correct push car, Ron pushed Kol past the packed grandstands
and SRO crowd along the fense.
Following the introduction
parade the cars were staged at the top end and as the nights
finalle, were push started, turned around behind the starting
line and guided up track again to their "spot".
Once Kol reached his place, Ron keeps an eye on the
nitro burning Chevy to make sure it doesn't get too hot.
After the Cacklefest
Shoobie gets to rest (above) and Kol and Ron get to enjoy an
adult beverage. What fun!
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