41st Annual Antique Nationals

Words and photos by James Drew

The nation’s oldest vintage drag race and car show, the 41st Annual Antique nationals, came to Auto Club Fontana Raceway on June 5, and James Drew was there for it.

While plenty of car shows and races play host to the classic cars of the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s, few can claim to have as good a show as the Antique Nationals. With racing rules that prohibit any vehicle newer than 1954, and with a car show meant for pre-1974 cars, when they say ‘antique’, they mean it. That doesn’t mean that they’re all reproductions however; many of the cars that competed were true veterans, with racing careers stretching back fifty years or more.