My time in Ohio

Justin Graham · 12-19-2023, 09:50 PM

I had an opportunity to visit family in Columbus, OH for a birthday earlier this month and couldn't wait to get there. Because I knew we'd be close to National Trail Raceway, and I made it a MUST stop..at least for me

, on this mini vacay. As a kid watching Diamond P religiously, I remember how treacherous the top end was to the fuel drivers. I couldn't wait to drive on Refugee Rd. and explain why there's a traffic light on a narrow, single lane road. The last pic is proof I was there, sharing the pump misery to my fellow Californians.

It's a bucket list track I'd love to race one day. It'd be great to read anyone's best..or worst..experience at National Trail Raceway. Give us something good to read in the off season.

Julie Jordan · 12-20-2023, 12:38 PM

How fun, Justin! I love to visit tracks I’ve only heard about!

Dan Bennett · 12-20-2023, 01:22 PM

No really negative memories about racing there, but the thing that stands out most was the mini lakes (OK, ponds) that would appear every year before they made major changes to the pits.

Though the track was usally fine to race on, I can't put out of my mind that year when the left lane had two PS cars crossing the finish line on their roof.

Kevin Panzino · 12-20-2023, 02:01 PM

I love this track. It will never be a Maple Grove (as good as it gets), or an Englishtown (RIP). But they have made very substantial improvements to this track in the past few years.

Although I will say, I really miss the "pavilion" which hosted the band during all the sports nats, the pizza fests sponsored by Jegs, and a nice under-roof area for tech, (still don't know why they got rid of it), it has become a much, much nicer facility overall in the past few years.

Yes, shutdown is tight, but its really not an issue other than the fastest cars. Certainly not a problem for us, but there have been some TS/TD cars that got into trouble if their chute didnt deploy.

The crop dusting airplanes coming in very low just over the track are also a pleasant bit of entertainment while waiting to be called up to the lanes.

Kp

stage1scott · 12-20-2023, 02:52 PM

the track of my youth-raced my street cars, parents station wagon in high school, and began my addiction to drag racing there. Met Dick Baker and many other div 3 standouts there as well as they were schooling me with repeated whoopings LOL

Jeff Niceswanger · 12-20-2023, 03:25 PM

Grew up on that track. First as a spectator in 72 when the Springnationals showed up. In 1973 I would drive my 69 RS Z-28 and bracket race it. The 302 had been replaced with a 427 and 11.80s for a highschool kid was a pretty good gig. Back then NHRA had just switched from Class racing on a weekly basis to bracket racing. John and I ran 'Bracket 1". Later, a 383 package Lingenfelter Corvette that ran 11.50's and got 24 miles per gallon did the duties. By then they had switched from Bracket 1/2/3 to the now popular Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Street. I represented them 3 times at the Bracket finals @ Indy. It was funny over there when the pit stewarts wouldn't let my street driver in the lanes because "Street Class was being run later". (It ran Super Pro). LOL.Then my cousin Wayne Campbell talked me into buying his Superstocker. At that point I was into it hook, line and sinker. That's when I met all you fellers. Since Johns death last year and the selling of the car to the Huntzberrys, I'm still at that track every couple weeks tuning on somebody's fuel injection. I have had a steady diet of NTR all my life. I have to say, it's been a constant improvement the last few years. They are REALLY trying to make it better. You can see changes monthly.

340Cuda · 12-20-2023, 03:31 PM

I was there with my son in 2016 for Hot Rod's Drag Week.

It was when NHRA still owned the track and it did need some improvements, glad it is getting some love now.

He said it was funny while he did not have any real trouble stopping he said it just felt short. After his first run which he got on the brakes pretty hard he had no issues after that.

jmcarter · 12-20-2023, 05:39 PM

Some fond memories on Brice Road over 20 years ago during the Mopar Nationals, people in their lawn chairs watching burnouts…at the track in the rainy mud bogs not so much. Suppose I need to wander back and check out the improved version.

Jeff Niceswanger · 12-20-2023, 05:45 PM

Anyone remember all the tech being done at the now defunct Eastland Mall instead of at the track before the Springnationals?

Barry Polley · 12-20-2023, 11:04 PM

Pretty cool Justin! I’d like to plan a trip back. Relatives and race family in Ohio, Ky, Tenn and Alabama.
Sounded like you had a good time.
Happy Holidays to you and yours!

12-19-2023, 09:50 PM	#1
Justin Graham Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Montclair, Ca Posts: 88 Likes: 126 Liked 356 Times in 60 Posts	My time in Ohio I had an opportunity to visit family in Columbus, OH for a birthday earlier this month and couldn't wait to get there. Because I knew we'd be close to National Trail Raceway, and I made it a MUST stop..at least for me , on this mini vacay. As a kid watching Diamond P religiously, I remember how treacherous the top end was to the fuel drivers. I couldn't wait to drive on Refugee Rd. and explain why there's a traffic light on a narrow, single lane road. The last pic is proof I was there, sharing the pump misery to my fellow Californians. It's a bucket list track I'd love to race one day. It'd be great to read anyone's best..or worst..experience at National Trail Raceway. Give us something good to read in the off season. Attached Thumbnails __________________ 7350 Stock Eliminator Quite possibly the only member to REDLIGHT their join date

12-20-2023, 12:38 PM	#2
Julie Jordan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Modesto, CA Posts: 618 Likes: 79 Liked 367 Times in 78 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio How fun, Justin! I love to visit tracks I’ve only heard about! __________________ Julie Jordan 7549 STK

12-20-2023, 01:22 PM	#3
Dan Bennett Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 403 Likes: 699 Liked 485 Times in 112 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio No really negative memories about racing there, but the thing that stands out most was the mini lakes (OK, ponds) that would appear every year before they made major changes to the pits. Though the track was usally fine to race on, I can't put out of my mind that year when the left lane had two PS cars crossing the finish line on their roof.

12-20-2023, 02:01 PM	#4
Kevin Panzino Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Pittsburgh Posts: 547 Likes: 273 Liked 620 Times in 120 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio I love this track. It will never be a Maple Grove (as good as it gets), or an Englishtown (RIP). But they have made very substantial improvements to this track in the past few years. Although I will say, I really miss the "pavilion" which hosted the band during all the sports nats, the pizza fests sponsored by Jegs, and a nice under-roof area for tech, (still don't know why they got rid of it), it has become a much, much nicer facility overall in the past few years. Yes, shutdown is tight, but its really not an issue other than the fastest cars. Certainly not a problem for us, but there have been some TS/TD cars that got into trouble if their chute didnt deploy. The crop dusting airplanes coming in very low just over the track are also a pleasant bit of entertainment while waiting to be called up to the lanes. Kp

12-20-2023, 02:52 PM	#5
stage1scott Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Cornville Posts: 403 Likes: 1,828 Liked 106 Times in 42 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio the track of my youth-raced my street cars, parents station wagon in high school, and began my addiction to drag racing there. Met Dick Baker and many other div 3 standouts there as well as they were schooling me with repeated whoopings LOL __________________ Scott McIntyre-Cornville-retirement at last! 2015 Chevy SS. LS3/ 6 spd Stick-Wolf in sheeps clothing! Last edited by stage1scott; 12-20-2023 at 02:54 PM.

12-20-2023, 03:25 PM	#6
Jeff Niceswanger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 837 Likes: 633 Liked 913 Times in 334 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio Grew up on that track. First as a spectator in 72 when the Springnationals showed up. In 1973 I would drive my 69 RS Z-28 and bracket race it. The 302 had been replaced with a 427 and 11.80s for a highschool kid was a pretty good gig. Back then NHRA had just switched from Class racing on a weekly basis to bracket racing. John and I ran 'Bracket 1". Later, a 383 package Lingenfelter Corvette that ran 11.50's and got 24 miles per gallon did the duties. By then they had switched from Bracket 1/2/3 to the now popular Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, and Street. I represented them 3 times at the Bracket finals @ Indy. It was funny over there when the pit stewarts wouldn't let my street driver in the lanes because "Street Class was being run later". (It ran Super Pro). LOL.Then my cousin Wayne Campbell talked me into buying his Superstocker. At that point I was into it hook, line and sinker. That's when I met all you fellers. Since Johns death last year and the selling of the car to the Huntzberrys, I'm still at that track every couple weeks tuning on somebody's fuel injection. I have had a steady diet of NTR all my life. I have to say, it's been a constant improvement the last few years. They are REALLY trying to make it better. You can see changes monthly. __________________ Jeff Niceswanger 3740 SS Last edited by Jeff Niceswanger; 12-20-2023 at 10:27 PM.

12-20-2023, 03:31 PM	#7
340Cuda VIP Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma Posts: 1,619 Likes: 3,543 Liked 717 Times in 309 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio I was there with my son in 2016 for Hot Rod's Drag Week. It was when NHRA still owned the track and it did need some improvements, glad it is getting some love now. He said it was funny while he did not have any real trouble stopping he said it just felt short. After his first run which he got on the brakes pretty hard he had no issues after that.

12-20-2023, 05:39 PM	#8
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,223 Likes: 2,176 Liked 2,966 Times in 913 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio Some fond memories on Brice Road over 20 years ago during the Mopar Nationals, people in their lawn chairs watching burnouts…at the track in the rainy mud bogs not so much. Suppose I need to wander back and check out the improved version. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

12-20-2023, 05:45 PM	#9
Jeff Niceswanger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Posts: 837 Likes: 633 Liked 913 Times in 334 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio Anyone remember all the tech being done at the now defunct Eastland Mall instead of at the track before the Springnationals? __________________ Jeff Niceswanger 3740 SS Last edited by Jeff Niceswanger; 12-20-2023 at 06:44 PM.

12-20-2023, 11:04 PM	#10
Barry Polley Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Vacaville Ca Posts: 833 Likes: 845 Liked 695 Times in 288 Posts	Re: My time in Ohio Pretty cool Justin! I’d like to plan a trip back. Relatives and race family in Ohio, Ky, Tenn and Alabama. Sounded like you had a good time. Happy Holidays to you and yours! __________________ Barry Polley 758 A/SA California Screaming! California- No place to race! Last edited by Barry Polley; 12-21-2023 at 10:34 AM.