Nostalgia Gassers Racing Association

Friday Morning Jess & I headed out to Havana in the middle of predicted heavy rain. This race, had been postponed and rescheduled due to poor weather, and now the forecast was more of the same. We were asked by management if all or any of us would be able to stay over and run on Sunday if Saturday was a “no go”. We had a 10 car field and it was about a 50/50 split on how many could stay. We were in constant contact with the rest of our group, trying to spare those with a long haul, in case of  cancellation. When we arrived, Dave and Jackie Walters were settled in trying to stay dry.  Bill Eveland rolled in between rain drops with his Honest Injun in tow. Bill lives close and since test & tune wasn’t possible he decided to leave the Pontiac for us to babysit and he would return in the morning.

Saturday morning brought more rain. The entire day was on and off falling humidity. By mid afternoon, the race was called and we were once again canvassed for a Sunday race. The Blasey’s, Ken Kapper & Ralph Grote, Tom Cray, and  The “Beach Boys” were all unable to race on Sunday so we called them off as soon as we knew Saturday was cancelled. Later Ken Kapper decided he would still like to come, but broke down on the way and returned home. We were now down to a field of 3 cars. Bryan & June Huffman, Bob Brown and Mike Hoffman were at an all truck race in Cordova, Ill. They called to say they were cancelled for Saturday with no rain date. Bryan & June and Bob made their way to Havana late Saturday to help us out in numbers. Mike Hoffman was unable to race on Sunday so he headed home.

Bill Eveland called a friend, who lives in the area, and extended him an invitation to join us on Sunday. We were now up to a respectable 6 cars.

The weather cleared Saturday evening so we enjoyed our potluck and “bonfire” under the stars. The track was able to dry the racing surface enough to run their Gamblers Jackpot race. Because of the our excellent pit spot, next to the track, we had a bonus of some excellent bracket racing.

Sunday morning Kip Calloway, Bill’s friend, brought his beautiful gold High Life Falcon gasser and we were good to go. Yeah, no rain in sight!!

The track started races at 10:00 AM and we made 5 passes throughout the day.  Unfortunately, attrition started to decrease our numbers. Bryan Huffman’s new yellow alcohol Willys pickup shucked the balancer in the 3rd pass. Bill Evelands Injun sprang a water leak at the top of the 4th pass and was backed out. After the 4th pass, (it was getting late by then), Bob Brown decided to leave. He had a long 7 hour drive back home to Topeka, Kansas. Thanks to Bob and Bryan & June for coming to the rescue, in our Sunday race.

Also after the 4th pass, Kip’s Falcon had a pulley problem and he figured he was out.  Jesse and Dave looked at each other and said “looks like it’s just you and me Buddy”. Fortunately, after a huge oil down delay on the track and some furious wrenching, Kip was back in business. We finished with 3 racers in a grand parade lap. A weekend that looked like a washout (literally) ended up being a great day of racing and a good time was had by all.

Thanks to all the track personnel for all the extra work in making the weekend great.

Respectfully Submitted
Jesse & Bertie James

Ken Kapper, Ralph Grote, Dan Stortz and I arrives at Ozark Raceway Park after what should have been a 3-1/2 hour trip turned into 7. A smiling face at the gate welcomed us and told us to park in the usual spot next to the staging lanes. Jack Jr. and Sr. Kaylor were already pitted and sitting in lawn chairs admiring their old blue “Nash”.

Friday nite was test and tune so it was time to give the DeRail’d Willys pickup its first shake down run since I bent the fenders on it 4 years ago.

Al Schoenwetter, the track manager, rode up on his scooter and welcomed us back and was happy to see us. “Side note, this is one of the friendliest tracks I have ever been to”. Great people! A special thanks to Al, the tech and starting line crew.

First pass with DeRail’d was an 8 something straight as a string. Took it easy on that one.

Didn’t get Jack’s time, just heard a screaming small block…….

Ken ran a low 6 with “Henry”.

Al closed down the track around 10:00 pm and we told him we offered to keep an eye on the place till morning. The six of us enjoyed a beautiful evening sitting under the stars sipping Kool Aid and iced teas.

Saturday morning Tom and Mike Cray rolled in with his 40 Willys coupe then Mark Campbell and Steve Zeiter with the other “Nash” gasser with Robbie “Biscuits” Rothweiller and his awesome 55 Chevy.

We managed to set up “camp” with Easy-Ups, tables and chairs long before Rod Urich and buddy towing the 48 Anglia showed up. It seems the he got lost on the way; once within 20 miles of his house and twice in Missouri! Must have been them big ‘ol Ozark Mountains that confused him in Missouri. Flatlanders…………… geez!

We got called into lanes around 5:00 and made 4 passes for the fans. 2 before dinner and 2 after. Had to stop for tacos, dips and desserts.

And by the way Mr. Huffman, DeRail’d did run a 6.30 with a real easy launch.

The fans in the stands were yelling and waving when we came back the return lane. Lots and lots came to visit us in the pits. Talking old cars and putting the kids in the racecars for photo ops and signed hero cards. WOW!

ORP was holding a Midnight Madness Saturday evening so we managed to load up and all headed home before 9:00 pm to clear parking for Al.

Al, if you read this; thank you again for the great time. We absolutely love your facility and your personnel!

Bob Mitchell
40 Willys coupe “Barney”
40 Willys pickup “DeRail’d”

We arrived early Friday afternoon, to find a huge number of racers already pulled into Eddyville Raceway for this awesome event. Bryan and June Huffman were the first of our Nostalgia Gassers to arrive. Rob did not bring his car but rode along with Mark Campbell. By that evening, James, Kaylors and Bill Wamboldt had arrived. (We missed you Kathy)

We all made a time pass but Jesse found his newly installed  part worked against him. However once removed, the Gunslinger ran great. Many of us took advantage of the time to watch some of the Altereds, Super Shifters, Junior dragsters, and more make runs. There is a lot to see here.

Saturday morning brought Bill Eveland and his oldest son Matt as well as Ellen and Joe Kaufmann. Thanks to the hard work of the the track staff, by noon the track was dry, the day was beautiful  and the engines roared. Butch Patrick, AKA Eddy Munster was signing autographs and taking pictures with the 2 fully replicated munsters cars. They were pretty cool to see.

The evening program brought packed stands and great competition among the racers. Bill Wamboldt made one boys day when he let him ride into the staging lanes with him. That youngster couldn’t stop smiling. We made our 3rd and final pass about 10pm. It was a great day, no oil downs or wall rubs, although Joe did take a little closer look on his last pass. :-). After the cars were put away, refreshments and conversation were enjoyed around a wonderful propane fire pit provided by the James.

Hard to believe the season is almost over. With just 3 races left, be sure to come see us.
Central Illinois Raceway – Havana, IL Sept. 9th and 10th
Ozark Raceway – Rogersville, Mo,  Sept 24th
Gateway Super Chevy – Madison IL Oct 14th and 15th.

Respectfully submitted by
Mike and Debbie Hoffman

On Friday, July 29th several of our gasser group arrived at Cordova International Raceway for test and tune evening. We watched for a while and just as we were about to go up for a run, it started raining and they canceled the rest of the evening runs.
On Saturday morning the rest of the group arrived with 11 Nostalgia Gassers and 1 guest car. Attending were Brian Blasey, Bryan Huffman, Jack Kaylor, Jesse James, Bill Eveland, Glenn Steinhoffer, Joe Kaufman, Steve Rice, Ted Beach, Joe Beach, Brandon Beach and guest Tom Hanson.
It was a nice day and the cars were running quick. We made 3 runs during the day and then 2 more during the show.
We had our buffet that was headed up by Bertie James, with help from June Huffman and Ellen Kaufman. We had a great meal as always with a lot of variety for our meal.
We all had good runs and the announcer did a great job announcing us. The crowd was very complementary toward us with tons of complements on our show. We all had a great race weekend and awaiting our next event.
Bryan Huffman

The Meltdown drags is always the largest nostalgia event of the season and this years was no exception. Adding an additional 100 spots for racers, for a total of 600, there were still more than 200 racers on a waiting list. Racers filled the lot, across the road from the track Thursday morning, in anticipation of the gates opening at noon. By that evening, almost all of our 21 entires had arrived, including Ken Kapper and Ralph Grote with the Henry J, who in spite of not only one roadside break down but two, were determined not to miss this event. Special thanks to several of the St Louis members who stopped to help them be able to get back on the road. We truly have a great group of people.

Everyone enjoyed the open racing/time runs on Friday, with many of our cars taking advantage of the opportunity to make multiple passes. Unfortunately, Ed Ravario’s Willys coupe, broke the drive shaft and was unable to make repairs.  Brandon Beach, 58 Chevy coupe, had a great burnout but had to be pushed back when his transmission failed to engage. Luckily they were able to get it fixed enough to make the show.

Starting early Saturday morning, many members of the Bacon family were involved in the long process of roasting a pig as our main course for our group dinner.  With delicious sides and desserts from everyone else, we were once again the envy of almost everyone.  Phil and Dee, of Gasser Wars magazine and many other track and meltdown personnel, also enjoyed the labors of this feast. Thank you Bacon family!

Congratulations to Bryan and June Huffman and their beautiful Willy’s pickup, as for the second year, one of our members was honored by Gassers Wars Magazine with the award for Best Gasser!

The start of the evening activities, included the Pinup Girl contest, a presentation marking the 50 year anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war and a wonderful tribute to all of our veterans and service men as well as a parade down the track featuring cars of Jack Merkel and Barb Hamilton.  Taking advantage of time waiting in the staging lanes, Steve and Ben Bacon had the dash in their respective cars signed by Mr Merkel.

As always, we enjoyed pairing up with the Great Lakes gassers, who also had over 20 cars in attendance. However, this lead to a new problem when we organized a group run to continue our long standing friendly competition. Over 40 cars can not fit into only one staging lane, at one time, as had been designated. What a great problem to have!  Nostalgia Gassers won this years “Shootout” and  currently hold the trophy.

We have so much fun visiting with people and sharing these cars.  Some just enjoy seeing them, or the opportunity to actually sit in one for a picture. Others are building or want to build a car and love being able see them up close and ask questions. Please come see us at our upcoming events:

Saturday July 30 at Cordova Dragway for Door Wars

August 20th at Eddyville Raceway, Oskalooka, IA for the World Fuel Altered Nationals.

See each track’s website for details.

Respectfully submitted
Mike and Debbie Hoffman