The death of a drag strip, specially one that had been operating for more than 50 years, had historical significance, a local following, and stands as one of only three in the state of New Jersey is a gut punch to all drag racers and hot rodders. Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey was not a fancy place. It was a basic, hometown drag plant that was in the right place at the right time in 1964 to serve as the place where Don Garlits made the first officially recognized 200mph run in drag racing history. In our eyes, it is hallowed drag racing ground.
The track stayed close to those 1960s roots even until today. It was not a place that anyone would mistake for a national event facility, but it was a place for the local racers to hammer on their stuff every weekend or a couple nights during the week. The cause of death seems to be a combo of tax payment issues and (depending on what story you want to believe) septic system problems or EPA violations. We have also heard the unconfirmed rumor that the local government has pulled the drag strip or race track zoning from the property so it cannot be scooped up and run as a track anymore. Again, that is unconfirmed and we hope that it is not true because if it is, the small glimmer of hope that someone would buy the place and fire it back up would be extinguished.
Island Dragway had its detractors and a bunch of them have been in an almost celebratory mode since the word got out that the place was closing down. Frankly, we find that to be despicable and detrimental to the whole sport of drag racing and hobby of hot rodding. Cheering the death of a racing facility of any type is horrendous. New Jersey now has Atco Dragway and Englishtown. E-Town is under the constant threat of closure and what happens then? BS Eastern World HQ is located in a state with ZERO drag strips and it sucks ass. We don’t want to see NJ fall into the same pit.
We’ll be following this story over the coming weeks and months to see if anyone is able to gain control of the property and what the ultimate end to this saga will be.
What a shame! Back in the ’60’s, my Dad used to convince the cops to let me in the pits when we’d go there, and tell them I’d stay in the car all day (since Jersey has a “no one under 18 in the pits law), Of course, I’d get out, run for water, etc, but mostly keep real close to our cars. Fun times, fun times, indeed.
We have the most divided society in our history. We have people trying to force America into a democracy, rather than the republic that it is. Its a shame, we’re going to lose it all…
I’ve been racing there on and off since 1981. This track is only 1 hr from my house too! Its a great rack for TnT since if you get there early, you can make about 10-12 runs before the rest of the others cars showed up.
I’m hoping there is light at the end of the tunnel to get this track back in operation.
Please supply the source for this information.
Being from a place where there are dragstrips everywhere( north mississippi) You never really think of somebody not having access to drag racing but that sounds like whats happening in NJ. Its a shame especially with the history of the track. I cant imagine growing up without a nearby dragstrip. We have atleast 5 tracks within and an hours drive. Its really sad what this country has turned into.
We will have to move to Mississippi then. Was a great track. We loved it. Went from CT to NJ to go there. We have 0 tracks in CT
This is one of many reasons I’m moving to NC! Can’t afford to live in Jersey.
come on down, moved to nc from nj 18yrs. ago love it here.
back in 69/70 I had a 69 dodge ran f-stock auto. class at island dragway. every sat. me and a couple friends would head to the strip for some good times. I really miss them days.
At least I got a few videos before the track got oiled Dow when I was there a few months ago. Sucks tho cause there were some cool cars that showed up there too! http://WWW.Nosleepatall.com
I was there on November 17 for the last scheduled Saturday runs in 2012 and thought it was strange that they cancelled that day
It’s ashame. All they are doing is encouring more street racing. Give us gear heads a place to go, rather than take away our places to race.
I remember racing there in the 60’s when it first opened. We used to make a weekend out of it between Old Bridge, Flemington and then Island. Englishtown did not exist then. Ran there until I moved in 1977. The staff were there from the beginning, Duke being the one I remember best. Drove my cars and drove some for Van Iderstine Racing. Seems like they should do some statues of Buster, Biscayne Bob, George Shaw Tony Feil and a few others that called island their home! Ed Kowalik was the big boss, but his wife actually ran the place…..
I did the same 3 race circle as Bill MacKenzie in 1962-64. The only thing that stopped me was 3 years with Uncle Sam’s Army.
I was luck enough to be on the spectator stands on opening day. The following year I was racing my ’59 Chevy there every Sunday.
Sure hope the zoning story is only a rumor, and some enterprising folks take it over for the next 50 years.
Rich were you at Edgewood Arsenal? If so I bought that ’59 Chevy from you…even tho I totaled it!
One of my favorits. We all looked forward to racing here every year. Another bites the dust., A crying shame. Great track, great fan base, and a plesure for us west coast racers!
Spendo!!
Island was one of the few American dragstrips that I did not rent for my DRAGBIKE! National Championship Series races, but I did visit there and got some good photos prior to our Englishtown event. Mr Ed Kowalick and wife ran a tight ship..yet fun. I know our turbo Subaru driver Coop is going to miss it. GOOD HEARING FROM Don “Beachcomber” Johnson ! I know he liked Island more than our little Utica Rome track (also gone). If there are ecological concerns re: runoff..remember that the Delaware river at that point is a very sensitive trout/ Musky stream and those anglers are serious about pollution. also remember. that politics run TWO directions…and power is power. Put numbers together and get it back open !
Tom Loughlin Jr
Chairman emeritus-Independence Party of Oneida County NY and AMA Off Road promoter of the year 1985
I’ve been racing on and off at Island since it opened and raced steadily the past five years. I’m sorry for the financial aspects that are mentioned, and only hope the rest about zoning, etc., is not true. I sincerely hope someone will revive the track since we really need a facility like this. This is my “home” track and I am saddened to think these fun times are over.
this really sucks been going to island from 1967 started race my self 1969. i dont know what im and a bunch of buddys are going todo in 2013. less then hour from my place. Island was still a great place for the back yard racer could go. we can only hope someway some how it gets reopened someday. son ran there on off was hoping some day grandson could. over the years we watch tracks close. this keeps up street racing will be all we have. hope not but Rest in Peace Island DragWay. BEST LITTLE TRACK IN THE USA. Billy The Kidd Bender
Pity… I hate to see it go. I was there the day that Big Daddy set the first official 200 mph NHRA record. It was August 3rd in 1964. I was only 17 years old and was not allowed into the pits, but I snuck under the chain link fence and got in anyway… I was just there in 2010 for the second Dover Drag Strip Reunion. You’re right, it was not a very up to date facility. Maybe somebody will buy it and use it for something like thay did at East Haddam Connectucut.
Another historic race track coming to a close,although I’m not from NJ I hate hearing about any track being shut down just to be made into a strip mall or unused.
I’ve been coming to this track for over twenty years now. My father brought me as I was growing up. Now I bring my kids as they are growing up as well. Island Dragway will surely be a great family memory now, hopefully someone will keep it going. Hats off to the great staff that worked there they were wonderful people and very family oriented. The track and staff that kept me coming back year after year will be truely missed. KEEP ISLAND DRAGWAY ALIVE, there has to be away to do so….
[email protected] this is the deputy mayor email address let him know how u feel
The death of a living icon: Noise, speed, motion, and the stillness of country pastures. I will never forget the trip to and from, sitting in line waiting to run, or in the stands cheering my family.
Wow. U read about this stuff and u think it won’t happen near you. Well it did and it sucks. Just about to finish my car for the racing season now this happens. Well for those of you that go to e-town knows on a good day you’ll b lucky to get three runs. Now who knows if two will even be possible since their will be a lot more cars that want to race at the only track close to home.
I have so many memories as I started racing there in ’61 with a flagman, no tree. My faher and I both raced Pontiacs at the time. I then race a ’63 Galaxie which I still own. Real sad to see this all happening in certain areas. I have to be grateful for the good times. Oh, I was there in ’64 when Garlits ran 200. So cool!!
lets hope someone out there can save it….my son and i were going to race this summer, both of our cars are all most ready.chevelle vs/ his nova. i spent many a days there, my first date with my wife was at island, she ran powder puff with my 70 nova…… johnny lee wish i could win the lottery the track would NEVER CLOSE!!!!!!! johnny lee…lees performance center franklin nj.
Many memories from this track. I was there the first day it opened. Duke inspected my friend’s car with Pete Gardner. I spent every weekend there from 61 to 71 when I quit racing because NHRA did away with Stock Eliminator. Many memories both good and bad. Still ashame it has to end. Joe Fasano
You must have run Jerry Stein in the “Teacher’s Pet” a few times!
raced there in the sixties. what a shame. i have some footage from 1964 of me running my 59 ford. i had it converted from 8mil movie to dvd last year. i have amato leaving the track towing his altered with an open tailer and a match race between melrose missle and ronnie sox. and an old girl friend of mine,lol
Hey Sleez, you wouldn’t happen to have any footage of a white ’64 Plymouth named Satellite. I have the car and am looking for photos or video of it, Thanks . RIP Island.
i work and raced with your father in 64 we were there when garlets ran 200 we werein the staging toware with george cabel, cabele loned me his four speedtrans so i could set a record in dmp, brok rear,
Well I am from Long Island. We lost our track some 7 years ago. I have to drive 2-3 hours to get to a track. Island was the closest track to me. I had many good times there and hate that it was closed. I don’t go to etown, I went to Island and Atco. Now my choices of where to race have been narrowed down to 2 tracks. For those that live near Island I can feel your pain. Been feeling it for 7 years now.
I remember it well. We had a “Club” in New Milford called THE DRAGON’S. A local Cop, Bill Kustra was the guy with enough guts to sponsor a bunch of crazy kids who wanted to race “Hot Rods” but do it right. I remember bringing my 1966 Fairlane 390 four speed there. It was a great place to race and meet other people who were interested in speed and CARS!
I moved to California in 1977 and found R. I. R. in Riverside. Les Rickter owned it and let us Race there on the weekends. It was the “Inland Racing Association” I became the “Race Day Director” there and we had some great years. But then EVEN that was gone They shut down Riverside International Raceway and turned it into a shopping mall. People especially KIDS need an outlet for their NEED FOR SPEED and if these facilities that promote SAFETY and encourage those who are interested in ALL THINGS MECHANICAL then we as a society will have snuffed out a large number of budding Engineers and Innovators for the future of Automobiles. SAD very SAD!
Like AndyZ28 I’m from Long Islands east end. We had many tracks here and over the years they all fell to overdevelopement and the noise factor, when people buying homes close to the track started complaining them out of business. Now they complain about the kids racing on the streets, dying and killing people when it’s there complaints that drove the safe facilities out of business. You guys in Jersey still have two left, work the safety angle it’s someting that effects everybody. With no safe place to go you get street racing and dying. It’s why the sport was created. When it’s too late, it’s too late. Safe facilities like Island do save lives.
We are going to make a ton of money with the development rights!
I had some great times there,and now I guess fate has me living about 2 miles from ATCO DRAGWAY.
All the great names,Sirico Bros,Van Iderstine,all the Super Stock.AFX cars,so many hours put into gassers,towed for hours to get to Hackettstown and beyond.Dirt pits,modest trophies,simple affordable fun.Nothing is permanent.Good Bye,Island you are a wonderful memory.
The track owner did this to everyone canceled on chance of rain, EPA with the sewage, not paying taxes, and the town wanted it gone years ago, and the fluid from years of dumping is in the ground
The owner said “she hated running the track and she was glad to be done with it, it’s not her problem anymore”quoted by the owner in her own words.
that was Kathy-I made a comment to her about shutting it down on account of it might rain and she gave me a hard time–there were many times it didn’t rain and it was supposed to -and she shut things down —It’s Sad -I went there from late 60’s till Nov.2012-
great place to race ran there in the late 60s thru the 70s a few cars the best was a 56 vette purple passion took my kids there and some of my grandkids i’ll never forget those days at the patch goodby old friend
I say this place closed down for one reason, and one reason alone. The new owner (I think she was new, otherwise I’d never seen her before) was a bitch… She was always seen walking around bitching and screaming at all the racers for doing absolutely NOTHING… I was almost kicked out of the track for having my car sticking out a bit into the road, apparently making impossible for her to drive her truck through..but instead of getting out of the truck and finding me to ask me to move it, the bitch sat and blew her horn at me until I noticed… This wasn’t just a one time thing either, as I’ve had many fellow racers complain too. In my opinion she single handedly brought down this track and it’s a real shame, because up until a few years ago, this was an excellent track to run at. People are not cheering at the fact this track is gone, they’re cheering at the fact that the old hag is gone… it’s just a shame she had to bring the track down with her.
I finally got to race at this track with my one best friend and my other best friend’s boyfriend this past summer! Sad hearing that that day would be the first and last time I got to run the track! Happy I was able to do it, though! Even though my parents had been going to the track FOREVER I was just starting to enjoy it this year and I was hoping that we’d have lots of fun times in 2013. Extremely, extremely saddened.
Ed Kowalick and his wife had a dream, they worked hard and spent $$$ and achieved their goal. They created Island Dragway a place where great times and many memories were to be made. Now along come the decendants that have no clue as to what it takes to build something on their own. With their entitlement mentality they sucked the life out of the facility with no respect for the work that went into it’s creation. Shame on them…..
“Decendant”……single. There is no “they” in this equasion. The track has been run by Ed and Kate’s daughter Kathy for the past decade or better. When Kate became too ill in the late 90’s to run the track alone, Kathy and her (then) husband Tony “managed” the track, while also “managing” to pad their own pockets, buy new cars, trucks, cruises all over the world and a whole host of other things that benefitted themselves. Tony (although I am not a huge fan of his) at least had a passion for keeping the track running. Kathy on the other hand, couldn’t “manage” to add 2 and 2 together let alone handle a business. Kate died in 2010, and the track was left solely in Kathy’s care. She kicked Tony out on his ass, and took over the entire operation alone…..that is when the big decline started. Taxes went unpaid, Kate’s remaining assests were foolishly spent, on drugs, booze and God knows what else. Kates remaining daughter (the oldest passed away in 2007) was frozen out of the business all together….hell she wasnt even allowed to attend her own mother’s funeral because of Kathy’s greed. I am not suprised that this all happened….just a damn shame that Ed and Kate’s hard work all came to nothing. I hope that Kathy gets what she has coming to her….karma is a bitch, and I can’t think of anyone who deserves it more.
My father, Denny Nicol raced there for many years when I was a kid. I have some photos of his car, a Pontiac he called the “Golden Arrow” on his homemade hauler/camper. I spent many days at that track watching him run when I was a kind, back in the 70’s. We moved to Arizona in the mid 80’s (where he still drags on occasion) I now live in NY and went to Island for a Nostalgia show last season. the place still looked the same it did when I last saw it as a kid, that is a good thing. Tracks like Island are few and far between these days and now another piece of racing history is gone. Hearing this place is closed is sad news, and my dad will be sad for sure when I tell him the news. He has many fond memories of the track, and still has all his trophys on display in his home.
if anyone here may remember him from the late 60’s-70’s and might have any photos of his car feel free to contact me at
[email protected]
Talked to Pete Van Iderstine yesterday and told him of Island Dragways demise…..We talked about all the times we had there and how he started racing with his ’32 Ford with the hemi in it back in the 60’s. We used to pit next to guys like the Hrudka brothers, Jenkins, Feil, Buster, the Sirico brothers, to name a few. So much history and stories to be told…..
SAY IT AIN’T SO raced there as a teenager in the 60’s. can’t believe the slow death of racetracks in this state. Other NJ tracks now gone that i visited or competed at. FLEMINGTON DRAGWAY, OLDBRIDGE SPEEDWAY & DRAGSTRIP, TRENTON SPEEDWAY, FLEMINGTON SPEEDWAY, EASTWINDSOR SPEEDWAY. these are the kind of places that young guys & girls can bring there creative talants to reality. not evrybody has unlimited $$$. I JUST DON’T GET It!!!!!!!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
Our property value just tripled!!!!!
No more white trash and drug dealers in our area!!!!!
As I knew, $$$ is the motive for a lot of people VICTORIA, I prefer clean family fun & making new friends. I find it much more rewarding & lasting. As far of your assessment of people that make up the racing community, well lets just say, I will pray for you.
Victoria, I live in the area (6 miles from the track) and have raced at Island off and on throughout the last 30 years. I’ve been attending the races there for over 40 years so I know first hand of what takes place at this track. There were no drug dealers or what you ignorantly refer to as “white trash” at this track. Now I understand that it’s possible you may have jumped on the bandwagon and have adopted the impression that those who are involved with or attend motorsport events are “white trash”. Guess again sweetie…..Those of us who race there have no interest in taking drugs and can literally buy and sell you any day of the week! Also, your property value will not go up because of the closing. Instead, the local businesses will likely suffer because of the lack of patronage that the track has provided to the area for the last 50 yrs! Oh boy!! You didn’t think of that now did you? Apparently not! You know yourself if you really live here that there isn’t much around this part of NJ and you also know that each year more and more places have closed. Island’s closing only adds to the list so in reality, your property value may even drop because the area has less and less going for it. My advise for you is to think before pulling comments out of your fat ass! Happy Holidays!!
Really??? White Trash Speaks!!!!
Hey Victoria, I don’t know what you do for enjoyment but lighten up on the race community. Most every one of them would be the first to stop and help you and your kids if you needed help on the road. I don’t collect stamps or watch birds but I give those people respect too. Happy New Year
You are absolutely correct Victoria…So please done speak again. You risk revealing your low IQ!
I work for a living and have been going to Island for years –I have met a lot of great people there -my kids loved going to the races–White Trash-No-Look in the mirror before you accuse others–of being something they are not—!!!!
I find Victoria to be completely ignorant.. I lived miles from Island and have been going there for over 20 yrs.. Some of my best memories with my father were at the track and some of my best with my own kids are at that track. They will be extremely disappointed this year that we aren’t going on Friday nights to meet up with friends and family and race our cars. And being that I actually lived in that town I can tell you nothing will change, no property value increase… Really, what do you have there??? It is all farm land lol.. When I lived there the hot spots were the bowling alley and the drag strip. Where do you think you are living Victoria??? Wake up…
RIP Island!
i have raced island many times in the past – won there – crashed there – always loved the patch – sorry to see it close up – i learned along time ago if you could figure the air changes and startinng line ther and win you could go anywhere in the country and win –
it wasa great place to learn your craft and take it else where –
as far as victoria’s drugs and white trash commment – there are ramdom drug tests – fail aad you loose your comp llicense and as far as white trash – the price of the rigs not just the cars are worth more than most peopleshomes –
I raced there from 1964 till 1972. It wasn’t as glamorous as Englishtown when it opened but it was more fun. I was there when Garlits hit 200 and when he went off the track and into the net. The best time ever was the beginning of the factory funny cars in 1965.
Well the Liberally Politian’s & Victoria seem to miss that what it will really do, something will go up, your Taxes! What seemed to be a little in Taxes the town got $$ from the track is way more than home owners, the town will now make up the difference by upping your taxes. Do not forget the town will now have to hire more people (Cops for patrol, sanitation to clean where the kids will go, more people in the town to manage the extra people. What else will go up, Teen Death rate! The kids will go Race somewhere else, that is not in a controlled environment like a Track is, where they have people on standby if someone does crash. The first couple of minutes are way more import to saving a live then any high end hospital with all the latest tech! Safety will not be as high as when they go to the track, Since the track make sure everyone is safe before they run, on the street this will not be part of what the kids will think about. Drug use will also go up, since the kids will not be spending their money on the track and cars safety equipment, they will spend it on the Drugs.
All I know is this track will be missed by many racers.
I started racing there a few years back, and my kids enjoyed going there as much as I did.T/T days we could get 10 runs or more if you wanted, my one son did run his car there for a few years, and when I heard that it was closing, it wasn’t good news. Like anything else that is handed to you, mis manage it and kiss it goodbye.Hope to see a return of the track, but who knows what politics will play out.
I used to race at Island in the 60’s with a 55 Chevy V8 then went into the Army got out in went back to Island with a 67 Chevelle and raced it till I moved to Galloway in Atlantic county where I race at ATCO drag strip now with a 68 Camaro. It’s all BS if the kids can’t race on a race track then it’s back to the streets and that’s a no no. I am 67 years and still racing I’m not as active as I use to be but I’ll give it hell I really hope someone buys the track it’s all about the money and politics. More Malls that’s what Great Meadows needs there is 7malls where I live and more coming . I would like to race once more at Island for old time sake we will see. Modified Denny live to Race.
Talked with Bob Bradshaw (Biscayne Bob of Van Iderstines), yesterday. He is visiting for the Barrett Jackson. He told me there was an original agreement that states Island Dragway could only be used as a dragstrip if it was owned by a member of the Kowalick family. Once land ownership transfers it reverts back to farm land. George Cabel tried to work a deal to take over the track way back when and had no success……
Having a place in island drag ways history with the event of rapid Ron’s race day for over twenty years and being a racer since seventy three I’m heart broken and was looking to run my new fifty nine vette gasser, and was looking to blow the doors off of butch, heavener, and take the trophy away from fat mike at the early vette shop and show them what horsepower really is, but I will have to wait till we go to beaver springs so in closing we were all part of Eddie kawalicks drea
My brother jim used to run his 58 vette ,283 dual quad 4 spd here in 64-66, 66 running a 62 fuel injected 327 .. running snow tires for traction(limited budget to say the least) !!!sorry to hear of the track closing! as usual the snobs of the area crying all the time.
anyone have movie/video footage of 64-66 at island? looking to see if i can see my brothers vette
just saw the post about Island, what a shame, I raced there in the early 60’s ( before the christmas tree) It was a “down home” track. Saying that I also worked for the Napp’s at Raceway Park for 25 years.
I remember in 1968 we hosted the “summer Nationals” at Raceway Park, when we had a problem with the lights, Al Brown flew in the chrondikes from Island, so we could continue to run our event. That is how devoted to the sport the people at Island were!!!
Anybody remember the “409” stonecrusher? we ran the Nationsls in Indy in 63,64 and Island,flemington,pleasantville,and atco as many times as we could!
Ran the 1963 Indy Nationals with Kenny Poffenberger in A/SP and won class…1957 F.I. Vette
I contacted a local representative of Independence Township and was told that there was no change in zoning for the property on which the Drag Strip resides. Its closure was in no way due to action taken by the Township.
Like all here – I know a lot of you – it hit me hard. I worked there for 22 years until 2009, when an serious eye disorder shut me down. I loved every minute of it. The cars of you guys and gals was a trip for me. You might remember Bill, (me), The run-card puncher, among other duties. I was the only one in that position until I left. I’d help move a mountain to help ID come back. I was there opening day and raced then. Later I was happy to be there and know you folks. Looking back, I thank God for Ed & Kate Kowalick and what they gave us. I liked them both and Kate was surely a great friend to me. I feel the same about Kathy.
This is sad. I have been a drag racer on and off for 20 yrs. I grew to like Island due to it being very local to me and having a great bunch of regulars.
Even though it wasnt fancy.. i felt comfortable there. I remember my few licence runs in the dragster there.. in fall when i left the line and my facesheild fogged completely up!.
I will always remember my times at
Island as fun. Weather in my s10 or dragster…met a bunch of great people.
Went here for the first time in early 2000s with my dad he said the only thing that changed was a computer lol from the 70s. I looked forward to taking my son to see his first old tome drags this year or next. It will be missed
Like everyone I am sad to hear that this could possibly happen. My dad took me there many times when I was but a pup and after doing 15 years with Uncle Sam and as many getting my first car done it was the first track I ever went down and I was hoping to do it many more times. Not only did the great Don Garlits race there so many like my dad Bill Sprecher, Bobby Craner , Max Naylor who himself owned Numidia Drag Strip in Pa, Tommy Martino, Eddie Banic,George Toth,Franky Iaconio sorry if I miss spelled any of Ya’lls names like I said I was a Pup. So many greats raced there and hopefully the history will catch the eyes of true racers and we all can get together and save her. There is strength in numbers so ralley up Ya’ll and let’s stop this.
The track is not really gone Kathy has decided to not open for 2013 but will be open for 2014, I talked to her last week, she owns the property to the sod farm and was able to pay her debts. But just taking a break this year..
for real MIKE ? !!!!!!. man I hope your right. that news just put some bounce back in my step!! THANKS
It’s where it belongs. Dead. Forget about what you hear or say. Wasted years of my life trying to keep place alive. Kathy liked to drink smoke and have relations with her customers.