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Pete Kaiser Triumphs Over ‘The Beech’ at Kentucky Hot Rod Reunion
Highlights
- Pete Kaiser won National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway
- Kaiser led qualifying with a top time of 5.76 seconds
- Gerald Hangey upset Tyler Hilton, four-time defending event champion
- Kaiser claimed his first Bowling Green title with a 5.90-second final
- Brian Hope won Fuel Altereds class with 6.38-second final pass
- Michael Sexton secured second consecutive 6.0 Pro title win
Pete Kaiser wins the National Hot Rod Reunion at Beech Bend Raceway, Kentucky, sealing a timely breakthrough in NHRA Heritage Top Fuel competition.
The nostalgia field returns after the March Meet pause. With five AA/FD entries, the format features byes, magnifying execution and reaction-time discipline.
Kaiser’s California-based Big Red Machine travels well. He tops qualifying at 5.76 seconds, while Tyler Hilton posts 5.81 but reveals early tire-shake trends.
Eliminations open with Kaiser on a bye. He encounters tire smoke yet advances. Michael Hilton defeats Brendan Murry, 6.02 to 6.47, to keep family interest alive.
Kaiser tops qualifying at 5.76 seconds to set the tone.
The upset follows. Gerald Hangey, in the Revolution AA/FD, records 6.19 to eliminate four-time defending winner Tyler Hilton, whose 6.29 and 253.66 mph cannot recover from shake.
Kaiser and Tyler Hilton then meet. Hilton launches first, Kaiser smokes the tires and coasts to 12.91 at 61 mph, but Hilton red-lights and surrenders the round.
The final is decisive. Hangey clocks a personal-best 5.93, yet Kaiser delivers a clean 5.90 to secure his first Bowling Green title and the championship lead.
Hilton’s red-light transforms the semi-final, rescuing Kaiser after heavy tire smoke.
Fuel Altereds amplify the spectacle. Brian Hope controls eliminations and wins with 6.38 at 232.79 mph, as Dave Giles saves a dramatic wheelstand. Bradford’s Tupelo contributes authentic nostalgia.
Depth comes from the 6.0 Pro ranks. Michael Sexton claims a second straight title after Larry Greer’s Funny Car fails to start.
Gordon Smith takes 7.0 Pro, with Jaxon Messamore securing 7.50 Pro. In Nostalgia Gassers, Leonard Mattingly prevails after Jessica Lile’s late red light.
Brian Hope seals Fuel Altereds with a 6.38-second, 232.79-mph final.
A sunset nitro parade underscores heritage value. Bruce Larsen’s USA-1 Camaro and the ‘Jungle Jim’ machine headline, closing a weekend that builds momentum for every contender.
Kaiser’s 5.90 in the final delivers his first Bowling Green crown and the points lead.
Visual Summary
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Pete Kaiser WINS Beech Bend!
5.90s | Career First Bowling Green Title
Hangey’s 6.19s upsets 4x champ Tyler Hilton ⚡
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Kaiser Leads Points
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Nitro Roars, Legends Return, Sunset Sprints
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Nitro Roars, Legends Return, Sunset Sprints
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Fuel Altereds, Gassers, wheelstands and monumental upsets
thrilled the packed grandstands.
thrilled the packed grandstands.
Miles Carter covers grassroots and regional drag-strip action, from bracket racing to street-legal shootouts. His event previews and performance-upgrade guides keep local racers up to speed on timing-slip trends, tire tech, and weekend race highlights.
