Bakersfield, CA - October 16 - 18, 2009: The 18th edition of the California Hot Rod Reunion is in the record books and for the Top Fuel cars it ended with a very popular win for Rick McGee who got the best of Troy Green in a close final setting low ET of the event in the process. McGee captured his first win since the 2004 CHRR title with a convincing 5.761 (career best ET - low ET of the meet) at 247.38 by beating the 2008 HRHRS champ, Green who ran a game 5.91 at 252.17.

It was no secret that the High Speed Motorsports team has struggled for much of this season so to turn it around at the final race of the season was satisfying to say the least. Going back to what won them the 2008 NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series Top Fuel Championship, the car responded immediately and with some nice driving by Green, good tuning calls and a little racing luck they made their first final since their Bowling Green, KY win.

After qualifying #2 with a first career best 5.862, McGee went on beat Ed Schwartz, Adam Sorokin and Rick Williamson to earn a spot in the final. Green came out of the #5 hole to get the best of Denver Schutz, Rick Rogers and Brett Harris to meet McGee for the 6 PM showdown.

The team is already contemplating the changes that will be made over the winter in preparation to take a shot at the 2010 championship which begins with the March Meet at Bakersfield.

High Speed Motorsports wish to thank their loyal supporters for the role they played in helping them win this championship; Mastercam, Cad-Cam Consulting, Highspeed Steel Treating, SilverThin Bearings, RMS Healthcare, A & A Precision CNC, Donovan Engineering, Howard's Rods, The Blower Shop, East-West Clutches, Arias Pistons, SCE Gaskets, Titan Speed Eng., Dyda Race Engineering, Hoosier Tires West, C&C Automotive, NGK spark plugs and BTs Designs.

Friday - Qualifying Session One

3:16 p.m. Morning fog and a long cleanup following an accident combined to make a shambles of the schedule for today. But finally there is "fire in the pipes," "nitro in the air" and the cackle of Top Fuel engines finally echoed at Famoso.

The fifth pair featured 2008 Champ Troy Green in the High Speed Motorsports "Great White" car and Mark Malde in Arnold Birky's distinctive yellow Birky Bunch Chevy fueler.

Nipping some ring lands in the lights, Green carded a nice baseline 5.975 at 254.45. The tune-up changes implemented since their last outing appeared to be working.

1:30 p.m. Unlike the March Meet which offers three shots to qualify, the CHRR offered only two which put the tuners and drivers to the test as they have less room for error. After the first season Green was solidly in the field in the #5 spot but they wanted the #1 spot.

For session two Green was in the right lane, he was paired with Jim Murphy who was trying a Big Show injector ha

Green clicked it early to a 6.071 at 200.66 which left him in the #5 qualifying position.