Lost Drag Strips

[Duster 7695]

New AZ Stocker, are you from the Bay Area? I raced at all those strips in the late 60"s and early 70"s.

Raul

[69camz28]

Assumption, IL ---- Motion Raceway. It was supposed to reopen a couple of years ago in a 1/8 mile / grudge race type format a few years ago but it never did. It's about 30 miles from where I grew up, I drove out there a couple of years ago. The track is still there but it would take a lot of effort to resurrect.

[Andys dad]

Well since I just went to a reunion of the "last drag race" (1972) at the NHRA museum this weekend

How about Lions Drag Strip down near Harbor City here in So Cal - or as it was better know as "The Beach"

Very fast and well run by "CJ Pappy Harty" after Mickey Thompson left in the early 60s

Those were the glory days for the little guys since the big guys were just getting started

The Moongose, Snake, TV Tommy, Bagshaw, Larry Sutton, Linda Vaughn were all there as well as too many others to numerous to mention


:-) peace

[Paul Ceasrine]

New York Dragstrips;

Dover Drag Strip, Wingdale, New York
Opened July 1961
Closed May 1976

Facts;

Drag Racing; Sunday Only

Gates Open 7:00 AM

Utilized NHRA Drag Rules, but was only NHRA sanctioned for 1970
and part of 1971.

Also known as 'The Fast Track'

At one time labeled an 'Outlaw Track'

Hosted the NHRA NED 1 Pro/Stock Circuit in 1970 and 1971.

Hosted the NED 1 'Bonanza Stock Meet' 1970

Flag-starts, 1961 and 1962..

5-light Christmas Tree instituted in 1963

Chrondek Timing System utilized in 1973 thru 1976.

Famous track announcer Dino 'The Weirdo' Lawrence (1966 - 1972)

Attendance opening day, July 1961 (3300)

Primary Drag Racers came from;
(Southern New York,,,, ie; Yonkers and White Plains)
(Westechester, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange and Rockland Counties)
(Western Connecticut,,,ie; Danbury and Stamford)
(Bronx, Manhattan, Brooklyn and Queens)
(Western Long Island,,,ie; Nassau County)
(Northern New Jersey)

Local Drag Racers who utilized Dover Drag Strip as their Base Track;
* The Centolanza Brothers, (SS/FA, SS/DA and SS/E)
* Doc Burgess, 'The Black Arrow', (S/SA, A/MP and AWB)
* Dick Moroso, (B/MP, C/MP, D/MP and F/MP)
* Charles Boucher, (C/A)
* Richie & Gil Shott, 'The Shottgun Express' (AA/GD)
* Drake Viscome, 'The Vindicator' (A/FC)
* Billy Lagana, (A/FX)
* Harvey Wilson, 'Hairy Too' (SS/F)
* Joe Kenney, 'Trick Tank' (G/SA)
* Charlie Castaldo, (C/G, SS/B, SS/BA, SS/DA and Pro/Stock)
* The Smrtic Family, 'Storm King' (AA/SA, SS/CA and Pro/Stock)
* Gramatan Dodge, (S/SA and AA/SA)
* Fred's Speed Shop, (E/MP)

Typical car count;
1961 - 1964;,,,,,, (300 - 350)
1965 - 1968;,,,,,, (350 - 400)
1969 - 1971;,,,,,,,(375 - 425)
1972 - 1973;,,,,,, (300 - 350)
1974 - ,,,,,,,,,;,,,,,, (200 - 250)
1975 - ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (150 - 200)
1976- ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (100 - 150)

Closed; May 1976

[Dan Fahey]

What is the news for Englishtown..?

Rumor is that is got sold off to developers and the last year of operation is 2012..

Dan

[richie 2]

englishtown....i hope your jokeing right?

[Jim Cimarolli]

Here in East Texas:

Hallsville
Interstate 20/Tyler
Cherokee County
Whitehouse
Gilmer
Winnsboro
Midway Dragstrip/Como
Caddo Mills
Green Valley
Forrest Hill

Some of these have been closed for decades.
Adger, do you remember all of these?

[KRatcliff]

[Ed Wright]

I won the only race I ever ran at Tyler. Ran Hallsville a few times. Ran NHRA Div 4 points race at Green Valley. Never did get to run at Caddo Mills. Shame they are gone now.

[Dave Ley]

Strato Rods Dragway at McGuire AFB, NJ
Open from 1966 to 1983