York Reunion Nationals
Event Date: Aug. 02, 2008
Photos and Text: Jen Dunnaway
Known formally as the York Reunion & Nostalgia Nationals, this annual event brings the old gassers, altered, drag cars, and more from the glory days of York US 30 Dragway. You don't need to be into these kinds of cars to understand the magic that comes with a Willys gasser. Once a brand a tad more utilitarian than Chevy (and the brand that would eventually build the Jeep), Willys became the hot car for racers throughout America due to their low weight. They truly are the quintessence of the glory years of drag racing.
There also was a spotlight on Oldsmobile. Ron McHugh's freshly-restored 1970 4-4-2 W-30 convertible was the same one he raced at York 35 years ago. A familiar '55 Chevy was the one from "American Graffiti" and "Two-Lane Blacktop." An AMC Marlin drag car was an unexpected delight. And factory race cars such as Max Wedges and Hemis, Super Dutys, and Z11 Chevys staked their claim for historical glory.
But their glory couldn't exist without the racers. If you always wondered how to pronounce Arlen Vanke's name, you could have asked him there. Arnie Beswick showed up to get some love from the Poncho folks. Bill Jenkins made sure you didn't forget why they call him "Grumpy." And—as if it couldn't get better—Linda Vaughn AND "Jungle Pam" were on hand for those stuck in adolescence.
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