Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO?

bill dedman · 06-20-2009, 05:18 PM

In the summer of 1964, I lived in Colorado Springs, CO, and saw a lot of drag racing as a spectator at Denver, which had a suburb called "Commerce City." There was a drag strip there at that time, named "Rocky Mountain Dragway" (IIRC) and it was one of the nicest facilities I ever visited.

For instance, it had TWO public-address systems, with two "sets" of speakers; one in the stands for the spectators' race descriptions, and another, completely separate one in the pits for the "racer information" (calling to the lanes, etc.) This made it especially nice for the racers, who didn't have to constantly monitor the general announcements about the goings-on on the track, in order to hear their calls to the lanes.

That was the first time I'd encountered that dual P.A. system. Haven't seen one since...

The grandstands were very colorful (everything seemed brand new, but I don't know how long this strip had been in operation when I discovered it in '64; not very long, from the looks of things.) The grandstands were wood, but good-quality, smooth wood seats, and every row of seats were painted a different color!!!

It was really nice to look at...

They seemed to generate good crowd numbers, and I saw a lot of really good Sportsman racing there; lots of Stockers, Gassers, etc....

I moved to Des Moines at the end of that summer and never got back to the Denver area, but have often wondered how long that strip lasted. Seems like it was in an industrial area, if I remember right.

Does anyone from that area remember that strip, and remember how long it was in operation?

They seemed to do everything right...

Thanks for any information!

Bill

GarysZ24 · 06-20-2009, 05:55 PM

Bill,

Was it located at 96th and Buckley Road, in Adams County? I'm not sure you're talking about the same dragstrip I'm thinking of, however I've only heard of one track remotely close to Commerce City (which the city still exists, but not the drag strip), and when I started racing it was called Dragway Denver (1975-77), then Thunder Road (1978), and finally Mile High Raceway (1979-80).

During the Dragway Denver period, it was an NHRA sanctioned track, and even held a divisional points series event there (I remember watching Warren Johnson race his burgundy/white Camaro Pro Stocker there)! However, from 79-80 (it's last years as a drag strip), it became an AHRA track (and in '80 even held a divisional type of race too). I got my start in racing at that track, and after I lost the first round of my first bracket race, I almost gave up, and thought I'd never race again...however the manager of the track came and sat by me and encouraged me to come out there and do it often because it took lots of practice and getting to know my car in racing mode, to become even an elimination round winner....ohh am I glad I did that, cause the rest going forward created some great history for me, with more to come GOD WILLING!!!

bill dedman · 06-20-2009, 06:06 PM

Gary,

You're talking to a 70 year old guy about something he did 45 years ago... lol!

"CRS" brain is surely a factor here...

I am reasonably sure that drag strip was located in Commerce City, but have no information beyond that.

I also seem to remember that it was called "Rocky Mountain Dragway," but, I wouldn't bet the farm on that, either.

Thanks for your input.

Bill

bill dedman · 06-20-2009, 06:11 PM

Eureka!!!

I have an old "1967 Drag Racers' Almanac" that lists a "Rocky Mountain Raceway" in Commerce City, CO, so maybe I'm not losing my mind after all... LOL!

Stewart Way · 06-20-2009, 06:23 PM

Bill
Think you are correct. The drag strip I remember in that area I always thought was actually on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal property which is right by Commerce City. Likely had a Commerce City address. It was the first strip I ever went to, 1965, with my Dad. I was living in Arvada, Colorado. I seem to remember they ran 4 at a time the day we went. For some reason we went more ofter to CDR in Castle Rock. First strip I ever went down, 1966 I was 16.
Great memories.

bill dedman · 06-20-2009, 06:47 PM

Thanks, Stewart! We're gettin' there...

Bill

Bill Ringer · 02-05-2010, 08:16 PM

Those who remember Rocky Mountain Dragway (AKA Dragway Denver, Denver International Raceway) will also remember Century 21 Raceway just a few miles east of Rocky Mountain Dragway.
Google maps has good pictures of how it is today. Too bad It could not have lasted. It's a great location, close to DIA too.
Just paste this in the search for Google Maps S. Orleans way & Picadilly rd Aurora co
Sorry I couldn't find a way to post a link.

Bill Ringer

06-20-2009, 05:18 PM	#1
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? In the summer of 1964, I lived in Colorado Springs, CO, and saw a lot of drag racing as a spectator at Denver, which had a suburb called "Commerce City." There was a drag strip there at that time, named "Rocky Mountain Dragway" (IIRC) and it was one of the nicest facilities I ever visited. For instance, it had TWO public-address systems, with two "sets" of speakers; one in the stands for the spectators' race descriptions, and another, completely separate one in the pits for the "racer information" (calling to the lanes, etc.) This made it especially nice for the racers, who didn't have to constantly monitor the general announcements about the goings-on on the track, in order to hear their calls to the lanes. That was the first time I'd encountered that dual P.A. system. Haven't seen one since... The grandstands were very colorful (everything seemed brand new, but I don't know how long this strip had been in operation when I discovered it in '64; not very long, from the looks of things.) The grandstands were wood, but good-quality, smooth wood seats, and every row of seats were painted a different color!!! It was really nice to look at... They seemed to generate good crowd numbers, and I saw a lot of really good Sportsman racing there; lots of Stockers, Gassers, etc.... I moved to Des Moines at the end of that summer and never got back to the Denver area, but have often wondered how long that strip lasted. Seems like it was in an industrial area, if I remember right. Does anyone from that area remember that strip, and remember how long it was in operation? They seemed to do everything right... Thanks for any information! Bill __________________ Bill Last edited by bill dedman; 06-20-2009 at 05:21 PM.

06-20-2009, 05:55 PM	#2
GarysZ24 VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tempe, Az. Posts: 1,271 Likes: 922 Liked 239 Times in 95 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Bill, Was it located at 96th and Buckley Road, in Adams County? I'm not sure you're talking about the same dragstrip I'm thinking of, however I've only heard of one track remotely close to Commerce City (which the city still exists, but not the drag strip), and when I started racing it was called Dragway Denver (1975-77), then Thunder Road (1978), and finally Mile High Raceway (1979-80). During the Dragway Denver period, it was an NHRA sanctioned track, and even held a divisional points series event there (I remember watching Warren Johnson race his burgundy/white Camaro Pro Stocker there)! However, from 79-80 (it's last years as a drag strip), it became an AHRA track (and in '80 even held a divisional type of race too). I got my start in racing at that track, and after I lost the first round of my first bracket race, I almost gave up, and thought I'd never race again...however the manager of the track came and sat by me and encouraged me to come out there and do it often because it took lots of practice and getting to know my car in racing mode, to become even an elimination round winner....ohh am I glad I did that, cause the rest going forward created some great history for me, with more to come GOD WILLING!!! __________________ Gary Hampton '86 Z24,173 V6 CF/S #5824 (#78 in 2021) Last edited by GarysZ24; 06-20-2009 at 06:06 PM.

06-20-2009, 06:06 PM	#3
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Gary, You're talking to a 70 year old guy about something he did 45 years ago... lol! "CRS" brain is surely a factor here... I am reasonably sure that drag strip was located in Commerce City, but have no information beyond that. I also seem to remember that it was called "Rocky Mountain Dragway," but, I wouldn't bet the farm on that, either. Thanks for your input. Bill __________________ Bill

06-20-2009, 06:11 PM	#4
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Eureka!!! I have an old "1967 Drag Racers' Almanac" that lists a "Rocky Mountain Raceway" in Commerce City, CO, so maybe I'm not losing my mind after all... LOL! __________________ Bill

06-20-2009, 06:23 PM	#5
Stewart Way Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Atlanta Posts: 476 Likes: 20 Liked 70 Times in 22 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Bill Think you are correct. The drag strip I remember in that area I always thought was actually on the Rocky Mountain Arsenal property which is right by Commerce City. Likely had a Commerce City address. It was the first strip I ever went to, 1965, with my Dad. I was living in Arvada, Colorado. I seem to remember they ran 4 at a time the day we went. For some reason we went more ofter to CDR in Castle Rock. First strip I ever went down, 1966 I was 16. Great memories.

06-20-2009, 06:47 PM	#6
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Thanks, Stewart! We're gettin' there... Bill __________________ Bill

02-05-2010, 08:16 PM	#7
Bill Ringer Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 108 Likes: 34 Liked 145 Times in 26 Posts	Re: Anyone remember Rocky Mtn. Dragway at Commerce, CO? Those who remember Rocky Mountain Dragway (AKA Dragway Denver, Denver International Raceway) will also remember Century 21 Raceway just a few miles east of Rocky Mountain Dragway. Google maps has good pictures of how it is today. Too bad It could not have lasted. It's a great location, close to DIA too. Just paste this in the search for Google Maps S. Orleans way & Picadilly rd Aurora co Sorry I couldn't find a way to post a link. Bill Ringer