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 :D, 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.

Re: My time in Ohio
 

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!