The NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion fills Beech Bend Raceway on Father's Day weekend. 2026 ran June 18-20; 2027 dates are not announced yet.

Last checked Oct. 16, 2026. This page is updated each year at the same address. Facts come from the NHRA Museum’s event page, the NHRA’s 2026 announcement and Beech Bend Raceway’s ticket listing. Tickets and questions: Beech Bend Raceway, 270-781-7634.

The NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion is Bowling Green’s big drag racing weekend: three days of nostalgia racing, a car show, Cacklefests and a swap meet at Beech Bend Raceway. The 2026 event ran Thursday, June 18, to Saturday, June 20, on Father’s Day weekend. The 2027 dates have not been announced; the NHRA Museum’s page still showed the 2026 event when we checked on Oct. 16. We will update this page when the next date is set.

At a glance (2026 edition)

  • When: June 18-20, 2026, Father’s Day weekend. Next dates not yet announced.
  • Where: Beech Bend Raceway Park, 798 Beech Bend Road
  • Gates: spectator gates opened at 8 a.m. each day
  • Tickets: online through the NHRA Museum’s event page or at the gate
  • Questions: Beech Bend Raceway, 270-781-7634

What it is

The National Hot Rod Reunion is a stop on the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series, which celebrates nostalgia drag racing; in 2026 it was the sixth event of the series season. Proceeds benefit the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, California, according to the NHRA.

For 2026, NHRA’s 75th anniversary season, the event went back to its original National Hot Rod Reunion name. Broc Porter ran it for the first time; he and his wife, Rebecca, operate Beech Bend Raceway, which has been in the Porter family since 1984, the NHRA said.

What you will see

  • Nostalgia drag racing in a range of classes, led by nostalgia Top Fuel dragsters running at more than 240 mph, the NHRA says
  • Cacklefests through the weekend
  • Show & Shine car show, open to all makes and models from before 1987
  • Swap meet and vendors

Tickets and entries

The NHRA Museum’s event page links to separate online sales for spectator tickets, racer entries, Show & Shine registration and swap meet and vendor spaces. Spectator tickets, racer entries and Show & Shine entries are also sold at the gates during the event. Prices for 2027 were not posted when we checked. For any ticket problem, call Beech Bend Raceway at 270-781-7634.

For the car show, credential pickup began at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Beech Bend Park in 2026. A gate registration does not include admission for guests.

Racers must hold a current NHRA competition license; licenses from other racing organizations are not accepted. The NHRA licensing line is 888-275-9375.

Getting there, parking and camping

Beech Bend Raceway Park is at 798 Beech Bend Road. In 2026 spectators followed the yellow signs to parking, and gates opened at 8 a.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, according to Beech Bend Raceway’s spectator ticket listing.

  • Camping: spectator camping is through the Beech Bend campground.
  • Golf carts: the NHRA Museum lists Saylor’s for golf cart reservations, 270-563-4183.
  • Road closures: none were published for the event.

More car weekends in Bowling Green

The National Corvette Museum holds its own big gatherings, including its anniversary weekend in early September. See our Father’s Day and Labor Day pages, and things to do this month.

Frequently asked questions

When is the Hot Rod Reunion in Bowling Green in 2027?

The 2027 dates have not been announced. The 2026 National Hot Rod Reunion ran Thursday, June 18, to Saturday, June 20, at Beech Bend Raceway on Father’s Day weekend.

Can I buy Hot Rod Reunion tickets at the gate?

Yes. The NHRA Museum says spectator tickets, racer entries and Show & Shine entries are also sold at the gates during the event. Ticket questions go to Beech Bend Raceway at 270-781-7634.

What time do the gates open at the Hot Rod Reunion?

In 2026 spectator gates opened at 8 a.m. each day, Thursday through Saturday, according to the event’s ticket page. Spectators follow the yellow signs to parking.

Which cars can enter the Hot Rod Reunion car show?

The Show & Shine is open to all makes and models from before 1987. A gate registration does not include admission for guests.