The earlier item we ran with the cool old drag racing video from Missouri and Iowa in the late 1960s featured two tracks that are currently dead and gone. It got us to thinking about our local facilities and whether or not we’re doing our civic duty by supporting them. The closest track to our eastern office is actually a circle track called Seekonk Speedway in Seekonk, MA. We didn’t get there in 2012, but vow to take the kids to a race in 2013. Second to that is New England Dragway and well, you know the story about that place, we practically live there. Chad’s closest track is Irwindale and he’s planning on being their to check out the 1/8-mile action this season. What about you?
The map below is mind blowing for us because tracks in Massachusetts and California are so few and far between. This is a map of the race tracks in North Carolina. There are drag strips and circle track racing facilities shown. Isn’t it amazing? Know why they can all still operate? People go to them! If they didn’t draw racers and crowds they’d be like the hundreds of other tracks that have slid beneath the economic waves across the country. That brings us to today’s question!
SPILL THE BEANS: WHAT IS THE CLOSEST RACING FACILITY TO YOU AND DO YOU SUPPORT THAT TRACK? WHY OR WHY NOT?
(Map Credit: Racin.com)
Wichita has Kansas International Dragway. Been here since 1961. Has been upgraded over the last few years and is a great place to race. Many local racers have built successful businesses and provide engines and parts for NHRA champs and some have been NHRA champs as well. Several racers are third and fourth generation. Wichita’s huge aircraft industry creates a large number of machining and fabricating shops. Lots of talent and affordable services make it an ideal place for all forms of motorsports.
lets see drag thompson raceway park in ohio is 20 min
summit motorsport park aka norwalk ,quaker city ,dragway 42, magnolia all with in 2 hours and have raced at all of them
dirt track raceway 7 about 35 min away
sharon speedway, eriez speedway with in 2 hours i support
paved oval lake county speed way about 35 min
lake erie speedway with in 2 hours i support
there are others that i know of lol
Thompson Raceway Park, try to go every Wednesday night for grudge night in the summer.
Gateway Motorsports Park for drag racing, I-55 Raceway for dirt oval racing, both are great facilities.
Denton TX, NorthStar Dragway 1/8th mile, and I’m not there as much as I would like.
Mason-Dixon Drag-o-Way in Hagerstown, Maryland….it is about 20 miles from my home in Martinsburg, West Virginia!
I live 18 miles north of Milan Dragway (Milan, MI) I try to attend at least a couple of events a year. I am also located 30 miles east of Michigan International Speedway (Brooklyn, MI) I try to attend both NASCAR race weekends each year. Then there is Flatrock (1/4 mile) and Toledo (1/2 mile) Speedways (both ARCA). I have also attended races at Auto City Speedway (Clio, MI), Owosso Speedway (Ovid, MI) and Spartan Speedway (Mason, MI). I just can’t get enough of the local short track stuff!
Pittsburgh Raceway Park. Used to be Keystone, been around forever. Good track, maintained very well, owners care about the people. Only draw back, its I H R A . Hope they change that.
Here in Nova Scotia there is one 1/4 dragway in bridgewater, I`ve never been but I hear good things. Also just outside of Halifax is Scotia speed World which is a 3/10 D shaped oval, Ive been going there since 88 when it opened. Every Friday night they have seven classes of racing from bandolero to sportsman, including race prepped 1/4 ton trucks race prepped civics and neons. I use to race a prepped sunbird there in the mid 00`s.
Used to go to Island Dragway but they closed last year. Recently moved to NC and hope to check out Dunn-Benson, Rockingham, and others in the lower Raleigh area.
For me closest is thimpson speedway in thompson ct. For dragstrips new england dragway. I get out to both as much as i can
Lebanon Valley is 100 miles north of me and Englishtown is 100 mile south. N.C. sure has a lot to offer in both drag racing and circle track! I’m jealous
I live about 5 miles from Englishtown. I go a cpl times a year as my cars been broke for a while but I plan a full on assault this year. I’m about 30 miles from both Wall and New Egypt speedway and go to them a few times a year too
Shadyside Dragway in Shelby NC is the best 1/8 mile outlaw track, just 19 miles from my house.I’m there at every TNT and run every event. 6.99 index .We also run Mooresville, Union and all within 50 miles.Lived in CA and started racing at San Fernando (Chat)
Shadyside Dragway in Shelby NC is the best 1/8 mile outlaw track, just 19 miles from my house.I’m there at every TNT and run every event. 6.99 index .We also run Mooresville, Union and all within 50 miles.Lived in CA and started racing at San Fernando (Chad)
My home track is Maple Grove Raceway and I live 20 minutes away. I have been running the weekly points series (Money Trail) for close to 20 years. We are fortunate as within a 2 hours we can be at Cecil Co. Dragway, Atco Raceway, Raceway Park in Englishtown and Quarter Aces Dragway. Not to mention a little further to Beaver Springs and Numidia Raceway. We hit them all. Grandview Speedway is 40 minutes to the north, we check out the mid-week shows a few times a year. New Jersey Motorsports Park over the bridge in So. Jersey is another great facility we we hit when they have something cool going on…..
Toss up between E-town and Lebanon Valley about 1 1/2 hr to 2hrs each way. The actual closest to me but not a Dragstrip is Limerock park. I have to get there this summer.
Irwindale,only 1/8 mile but usually has great traction for testing.They really need pit control as it get crazy after 6PM when spectators start parking in your pit space,lock their cars,set the alarm,then leave!So.CA. used to have many tracks,now only two 1/8 mile!
Central California is the worst. Two hours to Bakersfield or two hours to Sacramento. Sheesh.
SearsPoint, 15 Times a year plus Nationals, Sacramento 5 times a year, used to go to Fremont, Half Moon Bay, Vacaville, and Champion–yeah I am old–GREAT MEMORIES
Beech Bend Park awesome place.
mission raceway, Mission BC Canada . close to sea level air , always has good traction,
90 miles from Lebanon Valley, I make it 4-5 times a year
Whenever I get the chance, I race my 55 Chevy on open track nights. Friday nights at Mid America MotorPlex, Pacific Junction, IA. 1/8 mile track 30 minutes from Omaha NE. http://www.midamericamotorplex.com
Support your local Race Track!
Before ‘The Man’ takes it away!
South Georgia Motor Sport Park, Cecil, GA. NHRA 1/4 mile. the only way drag racing should be done. 1/8 mile is for sissies that drive Chovies. There every Friday night for racing under the South Georgia Lights.
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