(Photos by Kim Fuller) • Pete Kaiser wrapped up the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series season in style, claiming Top Fuel honors at the California Hot Rod Reunion, presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports at Famoso Dragstrip in Bakersfield. The veteran driver powered to the event victory Sunday at Famoso, but his effort wasn’t enough to overtake Tyler Hilton, who secured the series Top Fuel championship by two rounds.

Funny Car standout Jon Capps also found his way back to the Famoso winner’s circle, sweeping both 2025 Bakersfield events in Cecil Matthews’ Camaro Funny Car, including the March Meet. Day carded a stunning 5.48 Elapsed Time in eliminations, the Bump Spot for funny cars was a 5.777 in the 16-car field. Both Kaiser and Capps finished their seasons on high notes — taking home the hardware.

Kaiser was on a mission from the opening round, defeating Bret Williamson and Brian Hall before facing Frank McBee Jr. in the final. Kaiser closed out eliminations with a 5.720-second run at 259.44 mph to edge McBee’s strong 5.815 at 257.51. His earlier laps — a 5.708 and a stout 5.677 — made him the class of the Top Fuel field all day. McBee’s performance was equally sharp. He took out Mike Hilton in the opening round and then eliminated four-time Heritage Series Top Fuel Champion Tyler Hilton, driving their Great Expectations dragster in the semifinals. McBee then reached the season’s final round showdown with Kaiser.

Leahy wins AA/Fuel Altered title.
Greg Leahy capped off a strong weekend in Johnny West’s Plan A Fuel Altered, backing up his top qualifying spot (6.032) with a holeshot victory over Vince Karstetter in Sunday’s final to claim the Reunion title.

Australian Mathew Leonard also stood out, driving his NitroRat AA/FA to secure the 2025 AA/Fuel Altered Championship, presented by Stith Printing — wrapping up a strong year in his Chevy-powered Fuel Altered.

In A/Fuel, Sean Bellemeur, (far lane) from the #2 Qualifying position, driving his ’23 T-Roadster defeated Wayne Ramey’s dragster running a 7.012 ET to Ramay’s 7.117 ET.

The winner in Junior Fuel was #1 Qualifier Alan Hull over Matthew Baldonado.

Tony Trimp nailed 7.0 Pro in his ’65 Mustang running a solid 7.012 ET over a red-lighting Dean Nillson in the final round. Trimp was also the 7.0 Pro Series Champion.

Dave Isley defeated Ed Silbermann in Nostalgia Eliminator 1 and in Nostalgia Eliminator 2.

Tony Citro took out Washington’s Sam Hughes driving his ’48 Fiat Topolino. Jason Barta won the NE1 Championship.

Ashlee Balistreri, in her ’23 T Altered defeated Don Morris in Nostalgia Eliminator 3

Ray Padgett’s A/Gas ’63 Corvette defeated #1 Qualifier Kenzer Small in his ’63 Vette.

The winner is B/Gas was Arizona’s Chris Tourek in his ’70 Chevelle over Kevin Riley’s ’67 Cuda.

Bakersfield’s Beau Dyson took home the Wally in his win over Brian Smith’s ’69 Cougar in C/Gas.

The D/Gas Champion was Dan Schrokosch in his ’71 Camaro over Doug Fournier’s ‘1948 Anglia.

The ARP Bonus, awarded by track photographers, for the longest D/Gas wheelstand was grabbed by Dan Davis from South Dakota who was driving his ’64 Plymouth Fury “Furious”, he picked up $250.

In Hot Rod, Dan Rowley’s ’68 Chevelle to the win over Tony Cabanilla’s ’67 Cuda.

The winner in A/FX was Jeremy Smith in his ’67 GTO over Steve Whitmore, driving his ’67 Mustang.

#1 Qualifier James Maher’s ’84 Tempo won the CIFCA class trophy over Shaun Bryan in his ’89 Firenza. Maher also won the California Independent Funny Car Association Championship for the second year.

A special thank you to Good Vibrations Motorsports and to Automotive Racing Products (ARP) for their bonus payouts, directly to Class Winners at this California Hot Rod Reunion.

Nostalgia-fueled drag racing returns in 2026 as the NHRA Heritage Series gears up for another season of classic Quarter-Mile action with the 2026 Good Vibrations March Meet starting March 5th.

CHECK OUT OUR FIRST CALIFORNIA HOT ROD REUNION GALLERY!