{"id":82270,"date":"2021-11-10T18:21:44","date_gmt":"2021-11-11T02:21:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/?p=82270"},"modified":"2021-11-11T09:29:37","modified_gmt":"2021-11-11T17:29:37","slug":"nitro-revival-a-feast-for-all-four-senses","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/nitro-revival-a-feast-for-all-four-senses\/","title":{"rendered":"Nitro Revival a Feast for All Senses"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"jetpack-slideshow-noscript robots-nocontent\">This slideshow requires JavaScript.<\/p><div id=\"gallery-82270-1-slideshow\" class=\"jetpack-slideshow-window jetpack-slideshow jetpack-slideshow-black\" data-trans=\"fade\" data-autostart=\"1\" data-gallery=\"[{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/11\\\/Hemi-Under-Glass-wheelstand-min-e1636597248300.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;82277&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nitro Revival a Feast for All Four Senses&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;Click Here to Begin Slideshow\\n\\nWhen Steve Gibbs left the National Hot Rod Association in 2017, after being an integral part of the NHRA for 48 years, he had no idea of his next steps. It was difficult to depart a \\u201ccalling\\u201d \\u0026#8211; not really a job \\u0026#8211; that he\\u2019d nourished since his teens, but Gibbs hasn\\u2019t ever been one to keep his focus on any rearview mirrors.\\n\\nNever a mechanic, nor a driver, Gibbs has always had the ability to organize. And after working with NHRA founder Wally Parks and those that succeeded him, primarily in the competition department as its director, he had a mental Rolodex for every outstanding driver and car that\\u2019s competed in both amateur and professional NHRA racing.\\n\\nBefore his NHRA departure, it was Gibbs\\u2019 push that saw the completion of NHRA\\u2019s museum next door to the Fairplex site of this weekend\\u2019s NHRA World Finals, the contest that will crown 2021 champions. He was also responsible for the California Hot Rod Reunion, a race outside Bakersfield that he started in 1992 and one that continues to this day.\\n\\nGibbs\\u2019 love for the sport and its history was the impetus to begin the Nitro Revival, whose fourth iteration occurred the second weekend of November 2021. Gibbs, working with daughter Cindy, had intended to hold a late fall Revival in 2020, but that was scotched as the COVID-19 pandemic swelled throughout the United States.\\n\\nThe wait was worth it. The race, show and general get-together at Irwindale Speedway was just the thing for those who relish the sport of drag racing, from its California inception to its current-day massive productions.\\n\\nThere were opportunities to see, hear and smell the mechanical relics that are capable of producing relatively quick and fast speeds, together with their abilities to bring past glories to the present. Thanks to Gibbs\\u2019 abilities for organization, the two-day show ran exceptionally smoothly \\u0026#8211; and on time, for the most part.\\n\\nIrwindale Speedway\\u2019s parking lot east of the oval track and adjacent to its 1\\\/8-mile drag strip was chock-full of race cars, support vehicles, hot rods \\u0026#8211; and people, all of whom were exceptionally happy to be part of this gathering.\\n\\nFrom the on-track action to the ability to get up-close with race cars, to meet and greet old friends \\u0026#8211; and make new ones \\u0026#8211; the two-day Nitro Revival was terrific. Starting early Saturday morning, the grounds filled completely with people and machinery.\\n\\nThere was an autograph session early Saturday afternoon where heroes of the sport, including 100-year-old Ed Iskenderian, Ed Pink, Don Prudhomme, Linda Vaughn, Ed \\u201cAce\\u201d McCulloch, Tom Hoover, Rahn Tobler, Tommy Ivo and many, many more happily signed all manner of items brought for their attention.\\n\\nSaturday night was capped with an amazing cacklefest that occupied the left lane of the drag strip, from the Christmas Tree to the timing lights. And Irwindale Speedway then set off \\u201cnormal\\u201d fireworks, continuing to captivate the crowd, all of whom stayed for the spiritual reminder of early nitro-burning cars.\\n\\nSunday\\u2019s activities were a bit more laid-back, and were dedicated to competition \\u0026#8211; as befits any race meeting. Watching the cars on the track as they worked to contest the car in the next lane \\u0026#8211; along with their own frailties due to age \\u0026#8211; was a delight for all in attendance. There was also the highlight of a 1PM vehicle activation, where every race car on the premises was ignited and ran for at least five minutes. If that\\u2019s not a religious moment, what is?\\n\\nOnce it was all complete, Steve Gibbs and daughter Cindy made certain to thank all of their many volunteers, a \\u201cchosen\\u201d family who made sure Nitro Revival 4 ran smoothly and happily. Thanks to all of them, it did.\\n\\nGibbs reflected on the decision to leave NHRA after being part of that business for 48 years. \\u201cThis past weekend at Irwindale has made it quite clear that the decision to \\u201cgo it alone\\u201d was the right one,\\u201d for Gibbs. \\u201c\\u2018Alone\\u2019 is not the correct word, however, as I have my daughter Cindy to keep the fire burning and the old man going, combined with the support of a remarkable family, loyal friends and the lasting spirit of my beloved Gordy,\\u201d Gibbs\\u2019 late wife Gloria.\\n\\n\\u201cI think Wally [Parks] would have been proud,\\u201d Gibbs continued. He thanked the team at Irwindale Speedway, members of The Road Kings, the In-N-Out family that has been part of his working life since nearly the beginning. \\u201cTo the Gassers, AFX and 10.5 Group, to Isky, Snake, Linda, Who, Ace, Butch and the many other Hall of Famers who attended. Finally, to all the huge number of fans and friends who have been with us through this journey, we promise never to take your support for granted.\\n\\n\\u201cPlans are already in the works for 2022. Same weekend. I believe we have collectively accomplished what (the late) Ron Johnson and I had in mind in 2017, and will do our best to keep it alive and well. Too bad that it\\u2019s not likely to make the pages of National Dragster.\\u201d\\n\\nClick Here to Begin Slideshow&quot;,&quot;itemprop&quot;:&quot;image&quot;},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/11\\\/cackklefest-action-min.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;82272&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nitro Revival a Feast for All Four Senses&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;itemprop&quot;:&quot;image&quot;},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/11\\\/cacklefest-blur-min.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;82273&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nitro Revival a Feast for All Four 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Senses&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;itemprop&quot;:&quot;image&quot;},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/11\\\/Tom-Hoover1-min.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;82271&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nitro Revival a Feast for All Four Senses&quot;,&quot;alt&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;caption&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;itemprop&quot;:&quot;image&quot;},{&quot;src&quot;:&quot;https:\\\/\\\/www.racingjunk.com\\\/news\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/11\\\/Steve-Gibbs-was-in-perpetual-motion-throughout-the-meet-min.jpg&quot;,&quot;id&quot;:&quot;82280&quot;,&quot;title&quot;:&quot;Nitro Revival a Feast for All Four 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left the National Hot Rod Association in 2017, after being an integral part of the NHRA for 48 years, he had no idea of his next steps. 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