Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip (Montgomery, New York)

[Paul Ceasrine]

In 1958....they ran 'Monthly' events.

It was such a success, that in 1959 they started off with 'Bi-Monthly'
events.

According to some historical information, the reason they were able
to get use of the track for racing, was because the Track Operators
were donating the 'profits' to the local Montgomery American Legion
for a Veterans Charity.

For 'Track Operation' it was well organized by,
* NASCAR
* Garden State Hot Rod Association
* Empire State Timing Association
* Orange County Street Rodders Club

The United States Air Force (Eastern Sector) approved of the
operation 'Airstip' for Drag Racing use, provided that the racing
was sponsored in conjunction with the American Legion Post #521
(Osborne-Fitzsimmons Post) out of Montgomery.

Basically, the American Legion was used as a 'front', to get access
to the 'out-of-use' Air Force Airstrip for the New York and New Jersey
racers.

The American Legion #521 'track personel' handled the 'Ticket Sales'
and reconciled the receipts, as per the agreement with the Air Force.

All 'monies' went through the hands of the American Legion, who then
paid all expenses 'first', before any funds were deposited into the
'Charity Account'.

NASCAR officials and the Empire State Timing Association associates
were 'paid employees'.

The Garden State Hot Rod Associaton and Orange County Street Rodders Club
donated their time, as 'safety inspectsors' and 'general track personel' in exchange
for 'free racing'.

1958 'gate receipts' could not be found in the archives.

In 1959, the Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip had 'Gate Receipts' well over $60,000
for 6-Months of Racing Events (April thru September), with 'Bi-Monthly Racing'.

A 'total' of 12 Racing Days, with 'Gross Gate Receipts' of approximately $5000 per event.

In 1959, car counts had reached 200+, as that was all the 'track operators' could handle.

Nearly 100 other racers were turned down at each event during 1959.

Stories of racers showing up on Saturday Afternoon, to get in line so they would be able to
participate on Sunday.Drag Racing were the normal routine.

The rule, 'first to come, first to enter'.

This led the 'track operators' to institute "Invitational Meets' and 'Stocker Events', which ended
the problem of an overflow of Drag Race Cars, and unhappy racers who could not enter on Sunday.

The Main Players in getting the Airport-Dragstrip operational;

Edward Otto
Vice-President of NASCAR, who was instrumental in bringing Drag Racing to New Jersey and
New York, and other Northeast Regions.

Merton Gundry (Rochester, New York)
A Race Steward, who also worked for NASCAR, and was part of 'TANA" Timing Association of North America.

Paul Jackson (Savannah, New York)
The Eastern Seaboard Manager for NASCAR, who also owned 'Jackson's Speedway', a Drag Strip in
South Butler, New York. President of 'TANA", and one of the first to institute 'calibrated timing devices'
for Drag Racing.

Commander Andrew Skibitsky (Montgomery, New York)
The President of the American Legion Post #521 (Osborne-Fitzsimmons Post) in Montgomery, New York.
Was the liason between the Drag Racing Group, the United States Air Force and Orange County Officials
in Tuxedo Park, New York.