New York Drag Strips

[Paul Ceasrine]

Fonda Drag Strip

Fonda, New York {Montgomery County}

{ East Central New York }

Location;....Fonda Speedway - Montgomery County Fairgrounds
* Route 30A - Fonda, New York
* Exit #28 off "I-90' ({nterstate 90}

* Opened...................May 1957
* 1/8 Mile Track........{1957 and 1958}
* 1/4 Mile Track........{1959}
* Closed....................September 1968

Race Day..................Wednesday Night
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The 'Paved Dragstrip' ran thru the center-infield of the Fonda Speedway 1/2 Mile 'Dirt Oval'.

The 'traps' ran over the back end of 'center section' between turns 3 and 4 of the 'Dirt Oval'.

That section was referred to as 'The Hump' by the Drag Racers, as the quicker cars would literally come
off the track when hitting the 'The Hump' section.

Attracted Drag Racers from;
Albany.................(40 Miles, South East)
Schenectady.......(30 Miles, South East)
Johnstown City....(6 Miles, North)
Utica.....................(50 Miles, West)
Amstersam..........(10 Miles, East)

Popular 'local track' for the Tri-City Drag Racers (Albany - Schenectady - Troy).

"Hey-Day".........1958 thru 1965

Car Counts.....200 to 250

Track Owner...........Ed Guez
Track Manager.......Jim Gage

Referred to as an 'Outlaw Track'.

Followed the NHRA Classifications.

Featured
* Powder-Puff Events
* Mopar Super Stockers
* Northeast Speed Shop Drag Racers
* Tri-City Flywheelers
* Albany Hot Rod Club
* Fulton County Gassers Club
* Northway Sunoco Drag Racing Club
* Amsterdam Strip-Blazers

Shirley Muldowney raced here with
* 1958 Chevrolet Biscayne 348/315 HP '3 x 2 Barrel'
* 1962 Corvette
* 1963 Corvette
* 1963 Plymouth Fury '426 Max Wedge'
* 1964 Corvette

General Overview

* Drag Strip installed on the center-infield of the already successful, 1/2 Mile Dirt Oval Stock Car Track.
* Started off as a 1/8 Mile Dragstrip, and Wednesday Night Drag Racing.
* Was an instant success, and the Track was expanded to a 1/4 Mile in 1959.
* Car Counts reached 250, as there was an explosion of Drag Racers in the area.
* Shirley Muldowney (from nearby Schenectady, 30 Miles Southeast) was a regular there from 1958 thru 1964.
* The 'concept' of Wednesday Night Drag Racing, attracted many Weekend Racers who now could now race {2 or 3} times per week.
* But, the Drag Strip Track area was neglected, and the grounds were not maintained, and soon it was labeled 'A Dump'.
* The 'Track Operators' focused on the Stock Car - Circle Track Events, where there was a larger fan base.
* Racer participation stated to drop off in 1966.
* The bigger-name Drag Racers stopped attending, as there was no 'Large Prize Money' offered.
* By 1967, it was more of a 'local stockers' track.
* Car Counts were down to 125 in 1967.
* In 1968, very low Car Counts (50 to 75), and absolutely no fan attendance.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dunkirk Airport - Dragstrip

Dunkirk, New York (Chatauqua County)

Western Tip of New York { Near Lake Erie }

Location.....Dunkirk Airport
* Middle Road - Dunkirk, New York
* Route 5

* Airport Opened................1952
* Drag Racing.....................{1956 thru 1963}

* Race Day........................Sunday

* 1/4 Mile Track

* NASCAR Sanctioned

* The Airport was 'closed' for Sunday, to allow for 'Timed Accelerated' Drag Races.

* Drag Racing stopped in 1963.

* Now listed as the.....Chataugua County/Dunkirk Airport
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* The 'Main Runway'................5000' x 100' consists of Asphalt and Bituminous-Concrete and was put down in 1954.

* An 'Auxiliary Taxi Runway'.....764' x 100' was added in 1958.

* A 'Second Runway'...............4000' x 100' was added during the 1970's.

* Regarded as the 'Glass Track' by Drag Racers, in reference to its smooth surface.

* Also called the 'Fast Track, as some incredible Top Speed performances were logged at the there.

Attracted Drag Racers from
Jamestown............................(30 Miles Southeast)
Fredonia................................(5 Miles East)
Buffalo....................................(50 Miles North)
Niagara Falls, Canada.........(70 Miles North)
Erie, Pennsylvania................(50 Miles Southwest)
Northeast Ohio......................(125 Miles Southwest)

* Popular Track for the 'High' Top Speed Dragsters, as the track conditions were regarded as the best in the Northeast.

'Hey-Day'..........{1958 thru 1962}

Car Counts.......250 to 300

Featured
* Big-Name Dragsters
* Stockers
* Street-Roadsters
* Gassers


'Big Daddy' Don Garlits (1960)

[Paul Ceasrine]

DRAGS - Pittsfield, Massachussets Airport

Pittsfield, Massachussets (Berkshire County)

Located on the border of Massachussets and New York

Location.......Pittsfield Airport
* Tamarack Road - Pittsfield, Massachussets
* Route 7

* Airport Opened........May 1941

* Drag Racing............{1957 thru 1963}

* Race Day.................Sunday......Once-a-Month Events (May thru September)
* Track........................1/4 Mile Track

* The last 'monthly' Drag Racing Event was held in September 1963

* Flag Starts

* Top Speed 'MPH' was measured.
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* 'Main Runway'.........5007' Length x 100' Wide (Asphalt)

* 'Second Runway'....3496' Length x 100' Wide' (Asphalt)

* Monthly Events sponsored by the 'Pittsfield Kiwanis Club'

Attracted Racers from
Western Massachussets
Springfield, Massachussets.................(55 Miles Southeast)
Massachussets - New York Border......(25 Miles West)
Albany, New York...................................(45 Miles West)
Poughkeepsie, New York......................(80 Miles Southwest)
Northwestern Connecticut......................(30 Miles South)
Torrington, Connecticut..........................(85 Miles South)

'Hey Day'...........{1958 thru 1961}

Car Counts.......125 to 150

Featured
* Stockers
* Sports Cars
* Street-Roadsters
* Gassers

General Overview

* Primarily a 'Monthly Event' held throughout the Summer months.
* Sponsored by the Pittsfield Kiwanis Club, to generate funds for the Town Recreation Department.
* The Pittsfield Airport let the 'DRAGS' use the Airport Strip on Sundays.
* There was never a desire to develop the Airport for 'full-time' Drag Racing.
* Held successful 'monthly events' from 1958 thru 1962, where Car Counts reached 150.
* Participation 'dwindled' in 1963, as other 'Drags Strips' opened up in the surrounding areas.
* In 1963, Car Counts dropped below 100.
* Lack of Racer participation in 1963, ended the Monthly Summer 'DRAGS' at the end of the year..
* A 'once-a-year' 'DRAGS' event was held in the month of August from 1964 thru 1968.
* Over the years, a 'Yearly' Car Event was held at the Airport, where Sports Car Drag Racing takes place.

[Paul Ceasrine]

North Hudson Dragway

North Hudson, New York (Essex County)

Located in Northeast New York

Location....
* Duntley Road - North Hudson, New York
* Route 9
* Exits 29 or 30.... I-87 'Northway'

* Drag Racing........{1964 thru 1975}

* Race Days...........Saturday Night and Sunday

* Track....................1/4 Mile
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Attracted Racers from
Adirondack Region
Lake Champlain Area
Ticonderoga..................(10 Miles Southeast)
Port Henry......................(15 Miles Northeast)
Lake Placid....................(40 Miles Northwest)
Saranac Lake................(50 Miles Northwest)
Plattsburg.......................(70 Miles North)
Lake George..................(55 Miles South)
Albany............................(120 Miles South)

{Hey-Day}......................{1966 thru 1971}

Car Counts....................175 to 200

Featured
* Local Street Stockers
* Super Stocks
* Street-Modifieds
* Gassers

General Overview
* '12' local businessman from the surrounding Adirondack Region invested in opening a Drag Strip in 1964.
* Difficult to get to, as the access to the Drag Strip was Rural Route 9 in 1964 and 1965.
* In 1966, when Interstate-70 (I-70) 'Northway' opened up, 'Drag Racer' participation increased.
* Popular during the summer months, with the influx of vacationers into the area.
* Yearly "Super Stock Meet" in August was the 'Highlight Event of the Year'.
* Occassional 'Junior Fueler' and BB/FC Funny Car 'Match Race Events' each year.
* Racer participation started to fall off in 1972

[Jimbo17]

Thanks Paul for taking the time to do the research and posting all the great information.

There are so many great old drag strips that are rich in history and they really are a large part of what made drag racing what it is today.

I was talking to a guy the other day about Island Dragway closing and he as known the owners for the past 40 years or longer. We talked on the phone for quite a while. He called wanted to purchase decals and instead we talked about the good old day's instead.

Many of these great old drag strips mean so much to many of us.

When I think of Dover around 1963 and 1964 and all the fun I had up there watching the drag races and see Antone and his girlfriend getting the car staged and started and Vic and Geno with their Let It Fly car.

Those were the day's for sure. I was only about 14 years old but every Saturday I begged one of the guys to let me ride from Stamford to Dover with them to watch the races.

Thanks again for posting it really means a lot to me.

Jimbo

[Paul Ceasrine]

Fulton Muncipal Airport Dragstrip

Fulton, New York (Oswego County)

North Central New York

Location......
State Route 3.......Fulton Airpark, Fulton, New York

* Drag Racing.......{1956 thru 1962}

* Race Days.........Saturday and Sunday

* Track..................1/4 Mile
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Attracted Racers from
* Oswego County
* Lake Ontario.........(15 Miles North)
* Syracuse................(30 Miles Southeast)

* 'Hey-Day'...............{1956 thru 1961}

* Car Counts............200 to 250

Featured
* Stockers
* Street Modifieds
* Gassers
* Roadsters
* Dragsters

General Overview
* Opened as a 'Dirt Runway' Airpark in 1943
* Went under several names; (Reid Airport, Fulton Auxiliary Field, Fulton Airpark)
* Used by the National Guard (27th Division) thru 1952.
* Ceased operation in 1952
* A Dragstrip was opened in 1956.
* A 1/4 Mile Asphalt Strip was put down where the 4000' Runway was located.
* The Eastern States Championships were held there every year.
* Successful operation thru 1961
* Competition from surrounding Tracks with better facilities was its downfall.

[Jeremy1374]

Paul this is really neat info. I'm particularly interested in the Dunkirk drag strip especially being from the Buffalo NY area. I see they raced there for a short period of time but in all my time around racing (37 yrs old so take that for what it's worth) I'd never heard of the track. My dads been racing for 40 yrs but don't think he was racing when the track closed. He raced Niagara drag strip and of course Lancaster for many yrs. thanks again for taking time to share this.

[Paul Ceasrine]

Dover Drag Strip

Wingdale, New York (Dutchess County)

Southeastern New York

Location.....
Pleasant Ridge Road (County Road #21), Wingdale, New York

* Drag Racing......{1961 thru 1976}

* Race Days.........Sunday

* Track..................1/4 Mile
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Attracted Racers from;
* Dutchess County
* Putnam County...............(15 Miles South)
* Westchester County.......(40 Miles South)
* Orange County................(40 Miles West)
* Rockland County.............(60 Miles Southwest)
* Western Connecticut......(30 Miles East)
* New York.........................(70 Miles South)
* Long Island......................(90 Miles South)
* Northern New Jersey......(90 Miles Southwest)

* 'Hey-Day'........................{1961 thru 1974}

* Car Counts.....................300 to 350

Featured
* Stockers
* Super-Street
* Super Stock
* Gassers
* Modified Prodiction
* AWB's
* Altereds
* Junior Fuelers
* Funny Cars
* Dragsters
* Pro Stock

General Overview
* Opened to a large Racer Participation and fan attendance.
* Called the 'Fast Track'
* Followed NHRA car classifications
* NHRA sanctioned {1965-1966 and 1970-1971}
* Held many 'big events' and 'big name' Match Race events
* Many of the Drag Racers were regulars, giving the Track a 'warm atmosphere'.
* Dino 'The Weirdo' Lawrence, a popular track announcer {1965 thu 1972}.
* The 'gas crunch' of 1975 and lack of staging big name events hurt Racer Participation, and car counts dropped to 150 to 200.
* Insurance issues ended the season in May 1976.

[Paul Ceasrine]

New York Drag Strips



Long Island, New York

New York National Speedway
Center Moriches (Suffolk County - Central Long Island)
1966 thru 1980
{1/4 Mile and 4-Lanes}

Westhampton Dragstrip / Suffolk County Dragstrip
Westhampton (Suffolk County - Eastern Long Island)
1953 thru 2004
{1/4 Mile}

Islip Speedway Dragstrip
Islip (Suffolk County - South Shore, Long Island)
1963 thru 1971
{1/8 Mile}


South Eastern New York

Dover Drag Strip
Wingdale (Dutchess County)
1961 thru 1976
{1/4 Mile}

South Central New York

Montgomery Airport-Dragstrip
Montgomery (Orange County)
1958 thru 1960
{1/4 Mile}

Shangri-La Speedway Dragstrip
Owego (Tioga County)
1959 thru 1960
{1/8 Mile}

Skyview Drags
Tioga Center (Tioga County)
2004 thru 'still active and successful'
{1/8 Mile}

Tri-Cities Drag-Way (Endicott Airport)
Endicott (Broome County)
1961 thru 1970
{1/4 Mile}

North East Central New York

Fonda Speedway Drag Strip
Fonda (Montgomery County)
1957 thru 1968
{1/8 Mile}...1957-1958
{1/4 mile}...1959

South Glens Falls Dragway
South Glens Falls (Saratoga County)
1961 thru 1978
{1/4 MIle}

Pittsfield Airport-Drags
Pittsfield, Massachussets (Berkshire County)
1957 thru 1963
{1/4 Mile}

Lebanon Valley Dragway
West Lebanon (Columbia County)
1963 thru 'still active and successful'
{1/4 Mile}

North East New York

North Hudson Dragway
North Hudson (Essex County)
1964 thru 1975
{1/4 Mile}

North Central New York

ESTA Safety Park Dragstrip
Cicero (Onondga County)
1960 thru 'still active and successful'
{1/4 Mile}

Fulton Airport-Dragstrip
Fulton (Oswego County)
1955 thru 1963
{1/4 Mile}

Mil-Ray Speedway-Raceway
Fulton (Oswego County)
1962 thru 1972
{1/8 Mile}

Central New York

Utica-Rome Dragway
Vernon (Oneida County)
1962 thru 1977
{1/8 Mile}

North West New York

Spencer's Dragway
Williamson (Wayne County)
1959 thru ''still active and successful'
{1/8 Mile}

Jackson's Speedway / King's Dragway
South Butler (Wayne County)
1958 thru 1977
{1/4 Mile}

Western New York

Dunkirk Airport-Dragstrip
Dunkirk (Chatauqua County)
1955 thru 1962
{1/4 Mile}

Niagara Raceway Park / Niagara Falls Dragstrip
Niagara Falls (Niagara County)
1961 thru 1974
{1/4 Mile}

Lancaster Dragstrip / Dunn Tire Raceway Park
Lancaster (Erie County)
1960 thru 'still active and successful'
{1/8 Mile}

Empire Dragway
Leicester (Livingston County)
1970 thru 'still active and successful
{1/4 Mile}

[Jimbo17]

Paul:

Thanks for posting the name of the road that Dover was located on.

Not sure I ever knew what the name was.

I always remember the guy from the state mental hospital standing on the side of the road directing traffic and letting every one know where to turn left.

Dover was the place to be every Sunday for many of us and the drive from Stamford to Dover was about 52 miles back in those day's because we went out through the Pound Ridge area to Bedford and then up route 22 to Wingdale.

I had family that lived in Dover Plains for years and instead of turning left onto the road where Dover Drag Strip was located it you continued north on 22 on the left was an area known as Onion Town which I was always warned you do not go up in that area for any reason.

Did you know about the history of Onion Town?

Jim Hill