The 2025 Good Vibrations Motorsports March Meet at Famoso Dragstrip delivered an exciting weekend of nostalgia drag racing, where history, heritage, and horsepower defined the winners’ circle. With champions spanning multiple generations, the event showcased the deep-rooted legacy of the NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Racing Series.
Drag Illustrated contributing photographer Tom Macht captured the action on and off the track.
Kaiser Cements His Status as a March Meet Great
In Nostalgia Top Fuel, Pete Kaiser etched his name further into the history books, taking down three-time Heritage Series champion Tyler Hilton in a thrilling final. Kaiser’s .049 reaction time secured a holeshot victory, with his 5.705-second, 254-mph pass edging out Hilton’s 5.641 at 261 mph.
“This is my most gratifying March Meet victory,” said Kaiser, who now adds this title to his 1995 win as a driver and 2021 triumph as a crew chief. “I own the team, I’m the crew chief, and my crew is my family. This one means everything.”
Kaiser’s victory also served as redemption after losing to Hilton in last year’s California Hot Rod Reunion final, where Hilton secured his third straight championship.
Capps Captures First March Meet Win in Nostalgia Funny Car
Making his debut with Matthews Motorsports, Jon Capps turned heads by driving the team’s Camaro to victory in Nostalgia Funny Car. The younger brother of three-time NHRA Funny Car world champion Ron Capps, Jon delivered a consistent performance all weekend.
In the final, Capps faced Shane Westerfield, who had dominated qualifying with a 5.566-second run in the Bucky Austin-tuned Bardahl Camaro. However, Westerfield left the line .032 seconds too soon, handing Capps his first March Meet victory via a red-light start.
“You aren’t supposed to come to a new team and have the best race of your career, but that’s exactly what happened,” said Capps. “This was my best driving job, and the way this team clicked was just unreal.”
Capps now looks ahead to the NHRA Arizona Nationals, where he will pilot the Winefsky Family Nitro Funny Car.
Hough Wins Fuel Altered in Emotional Triumph
The AA/Fuel Altered final was a battle between two Las Vegas-based drivers, as Kyle Hough lined up against Mark Whynaught. Just a day before the two-year anniversary of his grandfather Dave Hough’s passing, Kyle delivered a memorable victory.
Hough’s 6.110-second run edged out Whynaught’s 6.353, despite Whynaught grabbing the initial advantage at the tree. The win was even more remarkable given Hough’s challenging start to the event—his Sheepherder Fuel Altered had a testing accident on Thursday, striking the wall.
“To go through what we did this weekend and still win, it’s emotional and unbelievable,” said Hough. “Monday marks two years since I lost my grandfather. To hold that March Meet trophy—just unbelievable.”
Bates, Woodard, and Local Favorites Add to the Winner’s Circle
In A/Fuel, Kin Bates took home another March Meet title, defeating reigning Heritage Series champion Wayne Ramay in the final. Meanwhile, Brad Woodard continued his dominance in Junior Fuel, besting Alan Hull.
Five local racers claimed victory at their home track, including:
- Krista Suydam (7.0 Pro)
- Ted New (NEII)
- Mike Williams (B/Gas)
- Beau Dyson (C/Gas)
- Tanner Wattenbarger (Hot Rod)
Additional winners included:
- Dave Isley (NEI)
- Mike Munson (NEIII)
- Brian Rogers (A/Gas)
- Bill Norton (B/Gas)
Next Stop: Tucson Dragway & Boise’s Ignitor
The NHRA Hot Rod Heritage Series now heads to Tucson Dragway for the Tucson Dragway Reunion (April 5-6), where Group 1 and 2 cars will take center stage. Nitro Funny Car returns at the NAPA Auto Parts Ignitor presented by The Blower Shop (May 16-18) at Firebird Raceway in Boise, Idaho.
This story was originally published on March 12, 2025. 
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