March Meet in May

The 63rd annual Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet was forced to move its race date to Memorial Day Weekend due to the coronavirus pandemic. The biggest nostalgia drag race in the world, typically held the first weekend in March, was contested May 27-30 in 2021. It was only the second time in the event’s illustrious history dating back to 1959 that the race wasn’t held in March.

This year’s event featured over 400 race cars competing in 18 different classes. Fans in attendance got to see nitro-burning top fuel dragsters, nostalgia funny cars, fuel altereds, gassers, coupes, muscle cars, and the Xtreme Pro Mods West.

Racing in May meant warmer temperatures, so teams had to battle with tricky track conditions as temps soared into the upper 90s throughout the weekend. For the first time in event history, Famoso Raceway scheduled nitro qualifying under the lights, reminiscent of the days at Orange County International Raceway (OCIR).

After four days of horsepower, hot rods and heat, with fans and competitors overjoyed just to be there, it was time to crown the champions. In the ever-popular nitro classes, Dan Horan Jr. defeated Tyler Hilton in the top fuel final; Bobby Cottrell, the two-time NHRA Heritage Series champion, outran Michael Peck Jr. in funny car; Eric Gates topped Johnny West in the fuel altered class; and Michael Halstead took home top honors in nitro pro comp. Congratulations to all 18 winners — you are now a part of the March Meet legacy.

Photos by Marc Gewertz