Where Did All The Tracks Go???

[The Cuda Guy]

So growing up I got to listen to all my Dad and uncles talk about their fast Mopars and going to drag strips and street racing on Grashiot Ave.  But where did all these tracks go?  Why did they go under and when did the culture shift???  I think its sad that each county doesnt have a race track.  If I want to go to a qtr mile track I have to either travel to Bowling Green KY or Crossville TN both are about 200 miles from where Im at.  Nashville doesnt have a dedicated 1/4 mile track!  Not that I wouldnt drive that distance its just a strain on resources. 

Anyone ever thought of opening a drag strip? 

Don

[HP2]

I hear ya. At one time, there were four ovals and one drag strip all within a 20 minute drive of my house. They are all goen now and the closest one is almost an hour away.

On the plus side, there are plans going together to build three new road tracks in the region. Unfortuntly, they are all pretty far away in travel time.

I'm not sure when or why things changed, but they did. Developers grubbing for money, neighbors who didn't want them around, transplants who don't like them, high insurance rrequirements, a population willing to sue at the drop of a hat. I don't know what caused it exactly, but probabaly a combination of all of the above.

[ChallengerHK]

I know that one track near me that had gone out of business (75-80 Dragway) just re-opened.

[brads70]

Hi Don!
Around here we have 2 stock car tracks in the same town , but no drag strip!
For years we have been trying to get one built next to the track I work at, but to no avail.
Seems it's politically incorrect these days...?? Insurance is a killer too. Seems with all the housing being built the land gets to valuable and they won't issue permits to build a track due to noise, traffic  etc....

[Chryco Psycho]

when I was younger  I moved 200 miles away to be near a drag strip when the local on closed only to have the one there close so I moved 2500 miles across the country & raced there for a few years , I then moved back here when a new track opened here , now it is run so badly no one races here anymore , my next move will likely be to Panama but I doubt thereis any track there not that I can afford to race anymore

[AARCUDADEN]

Lucky for us we still have a eight mile track and its about a quarter mile from my house  But its came close to being gone and we nearly lost it a couple of years ago. It is owned by a guy who is a drag race fan but leases the place out and he got a divorce a couple of years ago and his wife was really pushing the sale of the place. She was being a greedy witch and and some developers were looking to buy the property and build low income homes on it but thank god the locals who live around the track including me help put a stop to that real quick. Its an retirement town where i live and the ole fogys for years have been trying they can to shut it down but we keep up the fight  They've already put a stop to the kids going downtown on weekends as this town used to be a cruising and lively town and i'll be damn if i'll let'em take take our track away without a fight. Cudaguy, thats where all the tracks have gone   

[ChallengerHK]

One of the few things I like about being back in Virginia is Summit Point; lots of SCCA action.

[AARCUDADEN]

One of the few things I like about being back in Virginia is Summit Point; lots of SCCA action.

Cool  I like almost any kind of racing but drag racing is my favorite