From the classic images of
Harrison Ford in American Graffiti to James Dean to The Fonz
in Happy Days, the car – the hot rod – has always been
at the center of Hollywood’s projection of what it means
to be Cool in California.
Off the big screen, the roots
of the southern California car culture are deepest at historic
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, where in February of 1961 NHRA founder
Wally Parks hosted the first-ever running of the now-historic
and iconic Winternationals.
Fast forward half a century
and hot rodding’s past will meet its present when the 0-to100
mph in less-than-a-second, 7,000-horsepower hot rods of the NHRA
Full Throttle Drag Racing Series descend on Auto Club Raceway
at Pomona Feb. 11-14, 2010 for the 50th running of the Kragen
O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals.
NHRA will pay tribute to its
past throughout what figures to be one of the most memorable
and nostalgic race weeks in the sport’s history as many
of the legendary cars, drivers and magical moments will be honored.
"This will be a once-in-a-lifetime
event not just for fans in Southern California, but for drag
racing and hot rodding fans throughout the country," said
Gary Darcy, NHRA senior vice president, sales and marketing.
"With all of the ancillary events we’re planning for
that weekend, we believe the 50th annual Kragen O’Reilly
NHRA Winternationals at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
will be a must-see, must-experience destination event for racing
fans nationwide."
Because of the increased demand
for this ticket, NHRA is offering a special pre-sale that will
allow fans, for a $19.61 deposit that commemorates the inaugural
event in 1961, the ability to purchase their tickets before they
go on sale on ticketmaster.com and NHRA.com. Fans can place deposits
by calling 800-884-NHRA or by picking up a deposit form at the
National Dragster trailer at any NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing
Series event.
Renewals from those who purchased
tickets to the 2009 Kragen O’Reilly NHRA Winternationals
will get first opportunity to purchase their tickets (via 800-884-NHRA).
Then those who made the pre-sale deposit. And finally, those
who purchase in the general sale on ticketmaster.com or NHRA.com.
Headquartered in Glendora,
Calif., NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of
drag racing in the United States. It presents 24 events through
its NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000
members and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman
and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for
drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow
by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit
Racing Series, and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented
by AAA. The NHRA also offers the Jr. Drag Racing League for youth
ages 8 to 17.
Nancy Bellemeur Loses
Long Battle With Cancer
Nancy Louise Bellemeur, age
62, passed away March 17, 2009 at her home in La Canada, CA.
She fought a courageous battle with lung cancer for nine years.
Nancy was born December 17, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri. She
was a graduate of Grandview High School, class of 1964, in Grandview,
Missouri.
Nancy will one day be reunited with her loving husband of 28
years, Gregg; son, Sean and his wife Erin; mother and father,
Velma Dean and Elston Russell Hopkins; sister, Deanna Opstedal
and her husband, Alan; niece Heidi Woods and her husband Andy,
their children Kylie and Makenzie; her nephew, Chad Opstedal
and his wife Bethany; and of course, Nancy's loving canine companion
Mollie.
Most would agree the sparkle in Nancy's eye stemmed from being
with her family and engaging in their favorite pastime: drag
racing. Whether it be watching her husband, Gregg, navigate his
way in, out and around the maintenance of their Top Alcohol Funny
Car or watching her son, Sean, skillfully and successfully pilot
the 3,000 horsepower vehicle, Nancy's eyes always danced with
love and she shamelessly wore that love on her sleeve for all
to experience.
In addition to drag racing, Nancy was an active participant with
The Wellness Community Foothills, in Pasadena, CA. The Wellness
Community Foothills played a very large and important role in
Nancy's life after her first diagnosis and surgery. She was also
part of a support group, as well as a Volunteer Orientation Leader
for many years. To show her appreciation for The Wellness Community
Foothills, Nancy participated in a half-marathon fundraising
event in Vancouver, BC in 2002. She was also a member and actively
involved in the La Canada Presbyterian Church.
One could only hope to be blessed with the same type of light
which radiated from Nancy. She was a woman of great energy, formidable
strength, unyielding loyalty, a bright, contagious smile and
a hearty laugh. Nancy prided herself on being a loving wife,
mother and devout Christian.
A celebration of Nancy's life
will be held Friday, March 27th, 3PM at the La Canada Presbyterian
Church, 626 Foothill Boulevard, La Cañada, CA 91011, phone
818.790.6708 or La
Canada Presbyterian Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her honor may be made to:
The Wellness Community Foothills
200 East Del Mar Blvd, Suite 118
Pasadena, CA 91105,
P: 626-796-1083 or www.thewellnesscommunity.org/foothills.
Remembering Nancy by Pat
Green. I first met her
when she was working for Doner at OCIR and I when I was at Irwindale.
Until then, she knew nothing about drag racing. Both she &
Greg were married to others when I met each of them (Greg was
driving for K.Y. Rogers in the AA/BAD
guys TAD). They both later divorced and I encouraged her to date
Greg. He drove several BB/FC's including Tom Lemon. Greg drove
or worked on race cars most of the time Sean was growing up.
Shortly after Sean was born, Nancy told me "No son of mine
will EVER drive a race car!". I told her, "Right, some
day I'm going to tell you 'I told you so'". One Sunday afternoon
some 14 or so years later (years might not be correct) she called
me saying, "You won't believe where I am. I'm at Pomona,
taking Sean to drive Jerry Darien's Jr. Dragster". Needless
to say, my first words were, "I told you so". We've
laughed about that for years. She was always such a nervous wreck
when Sean drove. It got really bad when he was in the High Speed
Motorsports car. She liked the Alky F/C's much better.
After Sean's days in Jr. Dragster, the family built a front-engined
A/FD in which Sean was Good Guys Champion for two straight years.
After that, they built an Alky F/C to run in Div. 7 & 6.
In 2004 he started driving the High Speed Motorsports top fuel
dragster and did that for three years before retuning to NHRA
alcohol funny cars. Thankfully, Sean is back in the family ride
this year, and they plan to run Division 6.
She was one of the classiest, nicest people I've ever met and
I'm really going to miss her.
driving for K.Y. Rogers in the AA/BAD
guys TAD). They both later divorced and I encouraged her to date
Greg. He drove several BB/FC's including Tom Lemon. Greg drove
or worked on race cars most of the time Sean was growing up.
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