June 16/18, 2011 - Bowling Green, KY: Every Fathers Day weekend for the 10 years thousands of hot rodders, nostalgia drag racing fans and cacklecar lovers have made their way Beech Bend Raceway Park for the Holley NHRA National Hot Rod Reunion presented by AAA.

In spite of the hot and humid weather (and obligatory rain showers) the historic dragstrip was packed with hot rods, race cars and fans with SRO on Saturday. The biggest disappointment for some was the top fuel show that featured just four cars. On the other hand, those who love the traditional Cacklefest were not let down.

By accounts the Cacklefest went pretty much as planned with Steve Gibbs, Alan Miller, Gwen McWilliams herding the cats

Nonetheless, like all Cacklefest's, this one is better seen and just talked about so without further ado - here is Bowling Green 2012 starting from the beginning.

Starting on Friday with the Honorees Night at the Holiday Inn University Plaza & Sloan Convention Center, the Reunion host hotel. For whatever reasons I received very few photos of the indoors part of the evening.

The class of 2012 Bennie “the Wizard” Osborn, Bill Stibbins, Grand Marshall Tom Hoover and Jack Ditmar. Honorees Jere Stahl and Jack Moss did not attend.

Eileen Daniels, Co-Director of the National Hot Rod Reunion, Jack Ditmar, Steve Gibbs and Rose Dickinson, Manager of Marketing and Advertising at the NHRA Museum.

The Justice Bros. Spotlight Award went to the Middletown Pacemakers Car Club of Ohio. The Pacemakers have been around since the mid-50s and have helped to pioneer drag racing at it's best. A few of the original members were on hand to receive the award at the Holiday Inn.

The hard working Monique Valadez, Manager of Education and Public Relations at the NHRA Museum.

Another tradition are fire-ups outside the Convention Center. This year it was Bennie Osborn's top fuel car and the Jungle Jim funny car.

Steve Gibbs and John Neas the owner of the Benny Osborne Wizard car,
a Tony Nancy car, and the Jimmy Nix restoration project that John
purchased from Larry Anderson.

Ray Godman's "Tennessee Bo-Weevil" camp.

The debut of Bennie Osborn's SBC twin recreation. The original car was the 1962 world champion.

The Croshier-Baltes-Lavato pit. Jerry had an engine problem this year and didn't make the Cacklefest Saturday night.

"Fox & Hulls" car owner Don Fox from Chicago had his son Ken Fox in the car for a practice push start.

Brian Perrenot was back for his third NHRR in the restored Perrenot Family "The Gizzle Hopper" Lincoln powered AA/C with daughter Gretchen in the seat.

Joe Passalaqua had his beautiful Smirnoff car in attendance but had to leave early (Friday) due to a family medical situation.

Another debut was the 1971 English Frakes & Funk AA/FD. This was their first venture into Top Fuel and didn't last long as the rear engine cars were rapidly coming on the scene so this car was parked.

Paul Hutchins put his camera down long enough to try out the seat in the Tarvin Woody car.

Art Marshall in the Jim & Alison Lee "Great Expectations" owned by Brain Beattie.