nostalgia nationals

Where I Feel At Home

The Hot Rod Reunion, now renamed the Nostalgia Nationals, has been an event I’ve cherished for the past 15 years. It’s one of the premier events on the East Coast, celebrating the golden era of drag racing. From front-engine, nitro-powered dragsters to gassers and nostalgic show cars, the event feels like a time machine. It transports you to an era when performance and engineering, though seemingly simple by today’s standards, represented groundbreaking innovations that laid the foundation for the modern performance industry.

The common phrase, “I wish I grew up in [insert era here],” often resonates across the internet. I used to share that sentiment for the 1960s and ‘70s—until a few years ago. Attending events like this helped me realize that without enthusiasts like myself, the history and legacy of these cars and their stories could easily fade away.

Three years ago, while attending the Nostalgia Nationals, it truly struck me: preserving and sharing this passion is essential to keeping the spirit of the golden age of hot rodding alive. I’m incredibly grateful to be part of a community that celebrates this history and ensures its legacy endures for future generations