Sunshine, cool valley breezes, and the unmistakable scent of race fuel and hot rubber filled the air as racers and fans packed Famoso Dragstrip for the ANRA Fall Nationals. With temperatures in the low 80s and a flawless surface prepared by Jim Black and the Famoso crew, the nostalgia machines hooked hard and ran straight, setting the stage for another memorable weekend of quarter-mile action.
A strong car count kept the lanes full and the stands buzzing. Everywhere you looked, chrome glinted in the sun, the sound of high-revving engines echoed off the pits, and racers traded handshakes and tuning tips between rounds. The Jr. Dragsters came out in full force, their enthusiasm and consistency once again proving that the future of drag racing is in good hands.
When the dust settled, Vince Generalo Jr. claimed top honors in Nostalgia Eliminator 1, edging out a tough field with clean, consistent runs. Robert Johnson took control of Nostalgia Eliminator 2, while Ashlee Ballstein added her name to the ANRA winner’s list with an impressive Nostalgia Eliminator 3 victory — a standout performance for the weekend’s only female class winner.
Local pride ran strong as Bakersfield drivers scored big in several categories. Clint McKay muscled his way to the A/Gas win, Bill Rogers drove to victory in B/Gas, and Krista Suydam powered to the E/Gas title. Elsewhere on the ladder, Al White took the top spot in B/Gas, Michael Burgess turned in a smooth performance to win C/Gas, and Brad Thompson continued his ANRA success story with another Sportsman class win.
The ever-popular Hot Rod category, always packed with entries and crowd favorites, saw Paul Cannan work his way through the rounds to capture the class trophy. From start to finish, the Fall Nationals delivered exactly what ANRA fans have come to expect — fast cars, friendly competition, and the kind of grassroots racing spirit that defines nostalgia drag racing.
With one event left on the 2025 ANRA schedule, the focus now turns to the Season Finals, October 31–November 2 at Famoso Dragstrip, where champions will be crowned and another year of classic competition will come to a close.
This story was originally published on October 9, 2025. 
