NHRA’s Top Ten Drag Strips
When picking the top ten NHRA Drag Strips in the county, some may say it should be chosen by how well the track is prepped and how well the surface holds up throughout the race. While those are very important, and should be on the top of any list for picking the best track, there are a few more things that might sway your opinion. Track history, location, ease of getting to race track, parking rigs, and even the scenic view. I know many races think that the track is the only thing that counts, but in many cases its the overall experience that makes the race enjoyable and memorable.
Here is what we think are the top ten tracks, post your opinion if you think we left yours out or should have placed better in the top ten.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park
Auto Club Raceway at Pomona
10: Englishtown & Pomona
Two historic tracks that have 95 national events between them. They maybe old and in need of updates, but they are two of the most favorite tracks among the racers.
Auto Plus Raceway At Gainesville
9: Gainseville
The Gators, one of the most popular races on the NHRA trail, for many in the north its the race the kicks off the season. With the winter still going on in most parts of the country, Gainesville is the destination for warmer weather and good times.
Bristol Dragway
8: Bristol
A scenic track that racers and fans love to be at. Although the weather is usually hot and humid, the track itself is well prepped, and for most is and easy drive and enjoyable experience.
Maple Grove Raceway
7: Maple Grove
A scenic track that in the past has had lots of trouble dealing with bad weather, but even so it brings the fans out in droves. In spite of the track and pit conditions when the rains arive, the racers still come. Most classes max out their quotes year after year.
Bandimere Speedway
6: Denver
This has to be the most picturesque track on the tour with one side of the track stands built into the mountain. The track itself is one the best and although its a mile high and performance suffers, the traction is always there, a fan favorite.
Sonoma Raceway
5: Sonoma
If your looking to combined a great racing experience and a vacation, this has to be the track you go to. Carved into the hills of Sonoma Wine Country your bound to have fun.
zMAX Dragway
4: Charlotte
This track without a doubt should be on every racer an fans bucket list. A top notch facility with great parking, great access, great hotels and restaurants. Located close to the interstate highway, it makes for a easy drive. The track has had some issues with the surface, thus giving it a 4 place, but knowing Bruton Smith, it will be corrected soon.
Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis
3: Indy
There is not much you can say about Indy, its the place to be ” The Big Go”. The oldest race on the the NHRA tour, 61 and still going strong.
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
2: Vegas
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, although its only in its 16th season, it is a premier facility. Not only do you have one of the best tracks in the country, you also have one of the best places to enjoy yourself after the racing is done for the day.
Summit Motorsports Park
1: Norwalk
The combination of hospitality, a great race track and family owned makes this the track number one. Talk to any racer or fan that has made the trip to the Summit Racing Equipment Motorsports Park and you will get the same answer, “its the best”. The Bader family is commented to giving the fan and racers the best experience possible. Customer service is job one and it shows.
Nobody does drag racing like tbe Bader family. Best ice cream around. And always a fan favorite fireworks on Friday night what a way to end the day.
Eddyville, IA best little 1/8 mile track anywhere
[…] Fast cars, fabulous fans, fireworks and a lot of fanfare helped land Summit Motorsports Park in the coveted lead spot in a list of top ten NHRA tracks in the country as compiled by ClassRacer.com. […]
SO Proud to be part of Norwalk! Been racing there for the past 33years,have seen so many changes over those years. No one more special than the Bader family. Special family Special track!
Maple Grove’s rich history of spectacular events and world records year after year at the Keystones make it unquestionably number 1 in my opinion!
Maple Grove just completed a complete resurfacing and it turned out spectacular. Great hookups, smooth ride and I suspect better times when the big boys come in.
New England Dragway (Epping, NH) should be on this list.
Norwalk is the greatest Drag Strip Because It’s A Family Affair.
How about the 1st super track the Texas motorplex? 1st car to run a 5 sec pass and has a ownern that actually knows one end of the track from the other. That includes most at NHRA. Billy pulled NHRA to the next step up. This is a real homer article.
I have been to all of the tracks that made this list and a couple of them should not be there and not Dallas,Houston or Chitown. Also I see no one put their name on this and I don’t blame them it that bad. Please.
I recognize that these are all high profile National event tracks but NHRA has some outstanding “down home, everyone welcome” tracks as well. Fomoso & Bowling Green being the cream of that crop.
Helloooooo…what happened to Royal Purple Raceway in Houston / Baytown?
Having watched the growth of Summit Motorsports Park (Norwalk Dragway) since the day Bill Bader first walked on the property I can tell you it’s more than just a business. The entire family, and that includes all those that work there, think of it as their home and when you go there you are treated as a guest rather than a paying customer. The facility is impeccable, the operation is always dead-on, It’s presentation is pure entertainment and after you have been there for the first time you can’t wait for your next visit. There’s nothing like that warm fuzzy feeling you experience as you pull out of the track on your way home.
I always enjoy going to NORWALK. Summit Motorsports Paek is such a modern drag strip, well maintained . Even though we do not get to all of the events we would like to ….. each time we go we throughly enjoy being there. After all the years we have been going to Norwalk BOBBY BADER greets us each time & even remembers “previous conversations” we have had with her over the years about our “dogs” & of course the restoration of our OPEL GT C/A drag car. Norwalk/Summit makes us feel as if “we are family” ….. PLUS the hand-packed ICE CREAM is AWESOME!!!! :0)
Absolutely agree with the choice of Norwalk is number 1! No one does it better than the Bader family! PERIOD!