Living in a state with no operating drag strips (stupid Massachusetts) it is nearly unfathomable to me how many operating strips there are in places like Ohio. Adding to that wonder is the fact that the sate currently has two drag strips for sale. Dragway 42 in West Salem, Ohio is up for grabs after the the Ehrmantraut family decided that nearly a quarter century of drag strip ownership and operation was enough for them and they are getting out of the business. Dragway 42 has been a straight line staple for the state for more than 50 years. It ranks as one of the oldest operating strips in the country and one of the few that has achieved the status of a “50 year” track. That’s not to say that the place is without its detractors or criticism but it is a solid name and a property that could really be tuned up in the hands of fresh owners. We’re not saying that to take a shot at the Ehrmantraut family but as an observation that every business eventually benefits from an infusion of fresh blood and enthusiasm for the work being done. The place sits on like 200 acres and has lots of history. Lots of “four wide” racing happened there decades ago and there are lots of great videos on YouTube and other places showing the place in its heyday. We hope that it lands in the hands of enthusiastic owners who want to make it a place that people are excited to race at and brag about it being their home track.
The second track that is for sale is Marion County International Raceway in LaRue Ohio. This track sits on 39 acres, has a 1/4 mile strip and was first opened in 1969. The original family that opened the track in ’69 still owns it but obviously they want to get out of the business. At 3,480ft the facility is claimed to have the longest shutdown of all the drag strips on the long list of Buckeye state courses. We have no evidence to refute that claim but there must be some real shorties in the state if one that is 65% of a mile ends up being the longest. (A quick check showed Norwalk to be 3,462 or thereabouts!) The cool thing about Marion County is that over the years the facility improvements were made. Lots of the buildings were added in the late 1990s and there are various different aspects of the place like drainage, a pavilion area, and other stuff that are all new over the last couple of years. That shows the family was still very much engaged in what was going in with the track. Also, the place started a nostalgia funny car race about five or six years ago that is continuing strong today and stands as one of the best booked in nostalgia shows in the country. Not too shabby for a place in LaRue, Ohio in our book! Located in the shadow of Columbus and right around the corner from Marion, this place has been a big part of the speed culture in the Northern Ohio are for going on five decades now. Like Dragway 42 we hope like hell it goes into the right hands and it continues on as a drag strip giving hot rodders a place to let their hair down and go fast safely.
Here’s all the details on the MCIR sale
Dragway 42 what a great place back in the 1960’s-70’s. As a college student at Ashland College (University) we were always looking for something to do on a Saturday night. You could see everything and anything from street cars to top fuel dragsters. There was even a car that was wheel powered by a pump turned motor from a Saturn 5 rocket. It was unbelievable when it launched down the track. I always wondered what happened to it. Even though I live in NJ now, if “42” closes it will still be a personal loss.
sometimes its like fishing its how you use the pole that and how you stack the area aloted.
I miss goin there. Still lookin for pics of Hemi Royale Dodge Charger funny car, owned and driven by Hollywood Tony Olsko. Anybody got pics?
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