NHRA’s popular Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series – ended it’s 2025 season with another rousing version of the iconic California Hot Rod Reunion (presented by Good Vibrations Motorsports) — (Oct 24-26th) — at Bakersfield CA.

Jon Capps, who is the older brother to NHRA fuel Funny Car driver Ron Capps prevailed for the event’s marquee Nitro Nostalgia Funny Car title, defeating a very swift and well attended program.

Capps, who is based from Las Vegas and driver for the Matthews Motorsports ’70 Camaro, got the best of Canada’s Nathan Sitko in the championship round.  Capps clocked a convincing 5.543 secs at 263.31 mph to defeat the Sitko-driven Hodgson Racing Firebird which ran 5.696 secs at 252.45 mph.

Capps, who qualified third, had eliminated Drew Austin, Todd Miller and Mike Peck in earlier rounds of competition.  Capps’ 5.488 secs recorded in round two winning over Miller — was low ET for the event.  His event triumph also locked in a 3rd place finish for the final Hot Rod Heritage Series 2025 points.

In addition to Sitko making the tough 16-car field (5.777 secs bump) – two other Canadian drivers made the cut — including Toronto native Jeff Arend (7th – 5.618 secs) and Edmonton’s Tim Boychuk (8th – 5.643 secs) — however both those drivers bowed out after round one of eliminations.

Posted by Bruce Biegler

Photos by Phil Hutchison