Eagle Field Drags a semi-yearly drag race event located on an old Air Force training facility in the heart of the California agriculture area where American Flags cover the side of barns and the farmers are up before daylight, tending to their fields. With its airstrip and the old military atmosphere. Eagle Field is a perfect place for an old-school drag race event.

Eagle Field Drags October Hot Rod Gathering was the year-end event, and it was a blast, a lot of our favorites returned to the old airfield to battle it out on the drag strip, and there were many at the event to run their ride for the first time. One of those was a Jeff’s 1954 Chevy Truck. What was special to me about this truck was the story behind it.

As a kid, Jeff's dad told him, "if he could start the old truck, you could drive it" Jeff was persistent, and he figured out how to get the old truck started. So Jeff would drive the pick-up out on the farm. Years later, he got the '54 Chevy from his dad and along with his son, they worked on the truck together. They pulled out the old six-cylinder engine and put in a Chevy small block. Now they are here at Eagle Field Drags, racing it on the drag strip for the first time. You hear similar stories out at Eagle Field Drags all the time.

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The dragsters that come out to Eagle Field Drags are fantastic and a blast to watch. Some of my favorite dragsters are the earlier ones from the '60s and '70s. Perry and Lloyd from Castro Valley, CA., built one of the older dragsters that caught my attention. When first built, this little dragster had a four-cylinder Pinto engine, and now it has a nitro flathead v8.

John and Monica bought the dragster in 2019; they were out here for the May meet-up, but unfortunately, they could not run the dragster in that event.

This October event was the first time that John and Monica had their dragster racing on the drag strip, and on their maiden race event, they took the win in their race class, such an outstanding achievement. Sean Bell was the driver. They were all ecstatic about the win.

John and Monica with Sean as the driver took the win on their maidan race event in the Perry & Lloyd built dragster at Eagle Fields Drags

There was a tremendous turnout at the October event; the spectators filled up the stands and were lining the course. There was an excellent swap meet, food booths, and lots of cool cars, bikes, and trucks racing and showing their ride at the car show, and others just brought out their cool rides to watch and enjoy the event.

Jim and Kenette came down from Oregon and brought their gorgeous 1941 Ford Truck, they both take pride in this beautiful truck, but Kenette wouldn't let me get a shot of it until she wiped it down; I think this truck belongs to her. Jim and Kenette are a blast to talk to, along with everyone who attends Egle Field Drags.

Tyler came down from SoCal with his unique Virga motorcycle. When I first saw the bike at El Mirage Land Speed Races, I thought it was an antique motorcycle. Tyler hand-built the two-wheeler. It's one of the most incredible-looking bikes that I've seen.

Another fantastic ride that caught my attention was a 1952 Plymouth. The unique car looks stretched maybe 1-2 feet, but the wheelbase is actually at stock length. Bow, the owner and builder of this beast, said that he shortened the hood about 18", stretched the doors, and chopped the top; that's why it appears stretched.

But what gets everyone's attention is the Chrysler big block engine sitting in the middle of the car just inches behind the driver. Bow needed to use a boat v-drive unit to make all this happen. It took him a little over a year to build this car.

Even though his master cylinder went out the morning of the event, he replaced it just in time to race. He said that the car handles very well, and it showed this one was a fun one to watch. Bow ran this unique ride at Famoso Raceway. It was the first time that Bow raced the Plymouth at Eagle Field. In the May meet-up, he had his killer rambler running out here.

Eagle Field Drags always recognizes the racing community at every event, and at this October event, they had a couple of special guests that they acknowledged and gave awards.

One of the awards Eagle Field Drags presented went to Jeff Atamian. It was Billy's Best Car Award in memory of Billy Bratcher for one of the most fantastic cars that you will see out at the drags its called "Beast." It's a Jet Dragster that gets everyone's attention as flames shoot out the back. This one not only looks fantastic, but it is also super loud and a fun one to see.

The other award went to John Bowen; his awesome 1930 Chevy Roadster was on the event's T-shirts. John purchased this roadster 61 years ago when he was 18yrs old for $40. John won the lifetime achievement award; you can see John racing his roadster out here at Eagle Field drags.

Jeff Atamian’ s “Beast” Jet Dragster won the Billy’s Best Car Award a fan favorite at Eagle Field Drags

John Bowen with his 1930 Chevy Roadster, John won the lifetime achievement award at Eagle Field Drags

Along with the dragsters, cars, and trucks racing at the event, there was a JR Dragster class where kids ran on the same drag strip as the adults. The race class is a blast for the youngsters, parents, and spectators; we thought we were cool riding skateboards as a kid. Also, racing on the strip was a minibike race class. There is always something for everyone out at Eagle Field Drags.

Eagle Field Drags a family-friendly event. Spectators and participants come from all over the western states to attend and participate in this event. We always look forward to this one. There is camping at the event if you get a weekend pass. You can stay in one of the nearby cities about 30min away. You don't want to miss this event.

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