The sound, the shake, the unmistakable presence of nostalgia drag racing came roaring back to life April 18-19 as the ANRA launched its 2026 season at Famoso Dragstrip.
With a strong car count filling the pits and near-perfect weather overhead, the season opener delivered exactly what racers and fans have come to expect from one of the West Coast’s premier nostalgia series—tight competition, diverse machinery, and a weekend that felt as much like a reunion as it did a race. The efforts of Tim and Lisa Huddleston and the Famoso Dragstrip crew once again played a key role in keeping the event running smoothly from start to finish.
By the time eliminations rolled around, the racing matched the atmosphere.
Joe Trotsky powered his way to the Nostalgia Eliminator 1 victory, while Robert “Duke” Baker added another win to his resume in Nostalgia Eliminator 2. Aashlee Balistreri rounded out the headline classes with a win in Nostalgia Eliminator 3, continuing to make her presence felt in ANRA competition.
The always-competitive gas classes delivered across the board. Casey Treur led the charge with the A/Gas win, Brent Handley followed in B/Gas, and Brian Smith secured the C/Gas victory. Gary Hardee and David Dockson completed the lineup of winners in D/Gas and E/Gas, respectively.
Beyond the core eliminator classes, the depth of the field showed. Brad Thompson claimed the Sportsman win, Mike Brock topped Open Wheel, and Jesse Howe drove to the Hot Rod victory.
The next generation of racers added another layer to the weekend, with a full slate of Junior competitors showcasing the future of the sport. Logan Oliveira captured the Junior Comp win, while Connor Casner, Dillon Welch, Caden Casner, and Ava Barta each scored victories across the JR Group categories.
Off the track, ANRA owner Butch Hedrick brought the community together Saturday night with a racer-focused barbecue, reinforcing the family atmosphere that continues to define the series and keep competitors coming back year after year.
If the season opener is any indication, ANRA’s 2026 campaign is set to deliver a steady dose of nostalgia horsepower, competitive racing, and the kind of grassroots energy that keeps Famoso Dragstrip firmly planted as a cornerstone of West Coast drag racing.
This story was originally published on April 20, 2026. 
The post Nostalgia Thunder Rolls Through Famoso as ANRA Opens 2026 Season in Style first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
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