Atlanta dragway
 

I was waiting to see if anybody else heard or saw something different. According to cycledrag.com , Nhra is selling Atlanta Dragway and can't promise that the new owners will use it for drag racing.

https://www.cycledrag.com/nhra-to-sell-atlanta-dragway

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Seeing the tremendous sprawl in the area I wouldn’t be surprised. If Bruton would only run Bristol and Charlotte Division races it would help fill the void I suppose. They could also resume using Reynolds for Division races. D2 has a strong National Open program so plenty of opportunities to race, especially if you’re not adverse to 1/8 mile. Just another sign of NHRA raising $$ for things that will do nothing for the racers.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

I agree, Divisional stuff will be ok. Although Reynolds can't have a 1/4 mile race until they replace the metal guard rail after the finish line. 1/2 mile worth on both sides....so 1 mile of concrete guard rail lol...don't hold your breath. That doesn't apply to 1/8th mile races.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

It sounds like the NHRA "BUTTS" are worried they will not get their million dollar pay checks so they have to get rid of some things to cover the over head !:rolleyes:

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Actually, the SUITS are selling ATLANTA to finance SOME improvements at Gainesville and INDY. Gainesville must be getting new bleachers because the older bleachers are on their way to Columbus....HOWEVER, the majority of the $$ will probably find it’s way into their pockets,....because that is what they do BEST !!!!!!

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

In my lowery opinion NHRA needs to sell their offices in California, they could get a huge amount of capital .Nhra then could move their whole operations to Indy,out west Drag Racing is very few and far between ,out here is the Meca of Drag Racing

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

I was just at Gainesville and it is completely neglected. The paved pits has grass over a foot tall overtaking.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Its a shame. I remember racing there back in 1978 and it was a nice track. I guess the so ca:rolleyes:lled powers should have used some of that pay roll $$$$$ to take better care of the track.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Atlanta is on borrowed time, with the apartment building being built almost in the parking lot racing there is all but done IMO.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Ya know M.J., I'm building vacation condos on Mars. They're almost all spoken for but if you get me a big enough check right away I might be able to put one aside for you!

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

I kind of thought Gainesville’s bleachers were the newest part of their whole facility so not sure why they would need updating, but I don’t get out much, especially not this year. And it would take more than new bleachers to lure me to Columbus but in fairness it’s been 15 years since I’ve raced there. Maybe Jegs could donate all the contingency money they’ve withheld to help Columbus out. Watching the cruising on Brice Road during the Mopar Nationals was the most fun I’ve ever had as a spectator. If NHRA could arrange that kind of thing in conjunction with their National Events they would double their spectators from out of town. But I ramble..carry on.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Probably either replacing the spectators side bleachers or just removing them all together because they have not been used due to low spectator numbers. Also some are
Past the 1000 ft mark. I was at Gainesville just a few months ago. The place looked pretty much the same as it always does. I don’t park on the pavement anyway.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Ya know Billy, you are probably correct ....The $3,590,000 that they are asking for the over 119 acres will fit nicely into their pockets...LOL.....Have a great HOLIDAY Billy !!!!!......

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Hummm,
If you consider:
Construct a new 6-lane Interstate highway – about $7 million per mile in rural areas, $11 million or more per mile in urban areas. Mill and resurface a 4-lane road – about $1.25 million per mile. Expand an Interstate Highway from four lanes to six lanes – about $4 million per mile. Apr 26, 2019
And each mile of Interstate Hwy is approx. 468 Acres..
How does the $30,168 Per Ac. sound?

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Oh boy!
Atlanta Dragway Goes Up On the Auction Block
December 16, 2020

https://www.racingjunk.com/news/atla...etter_12_17_20

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

"we will invest SOME of the proceeds into our other tracks"

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

I am not sure why they don't invest some money into Atlanta. This could have been a great facility but people quit going because they would update the bathrooms, pits or concession stand.
This is my home track. When its gone I will have to drive 3hrs to Reynolds to test. Seems like its getting easier everyday to turn my racecar back into a street car.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

unfortunately NHRA is in a bad way. Trying to keep existing racers happy but bring in new Blood and new spectators in a new world. Online gaming is crazy popular, People robbing delivery trucks of new PS5? gaming consoles,easier to pawn than a car.

Tracks are doing well with crazy races. A no prep race, I think Rockingham, run from the shutdown area toward the starting line had 100 cars paying $275 to win $30,000. Was it safe, hell no but tracks are seeing how it sells tickets.

Orlando speed world just started doing the same thing, and no track prep money

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Great way for racing Top Fuel and Fuel Funny cars !

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

I am surprised D2 racers dont make up a petition to get Smith to have Divisional races at Bristol and Charlotte? If Bristol had one I would support it when my stuff gets done

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Bill Bader, owner/manager of Norwalk, gave his thoughts on Atlanta as well as just what it takes in general to run these places. Check it out here.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Whats the fate of Atlanta Dragway ?

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

That sucks

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

do you have a link to podcast that is not facebook. Not happy with them right now

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

That was a fantastic interview with Bader! If you've never experienced Norwalk, you need to put it on your bucket list! The man talks the talk and walks the walk!

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Starting to see the rationale for having the Southern Nationals so early in the season (besides the obvious pandemic issues). Hope we can get the Division race in before they crank up the bulldozers.

Seeing more and more press about all the commercial properties going up around the Atlanta drag strip and of course the urban sprawl that will accompany it.

Chicago was on my bucket list, guess I better make the necessary arrangements so that I can attend Norwalk and Maple Grove before either I age out or they sell out.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Sad news and a sign of the times, I guess. The track had been open for a while the first time I was there, and I remember that the exit near the track had a Waffle House, a Holiday Inn, and a couple of gas stations. That aerial photo showed how much things have changed.


It reminds me that progress for some people is not necessarily progress for others.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

last time i was there i would ride the scooter down to sonic for some treats and bags of ice, that is until some drunks stole my scooter while i was getting pictures taken!

speaking of which, i remember someone walking out the gate with Warren Johnson's door!
a few memories of atlanta dragway that i will never forget!

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

So is the National event still on ?

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

This will be the FINAL Nat event at ATLANTA ..
RIP .....Big business takes over ....

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Remember the comments from NHRA as stated in Dragzine. I hope they really meant this. I fear that they had no intentions to preserve racing in the area. We know that the upper echelon at NHRA has zero interest or understanding of sportsman racers. Follow the money,

Remember the laughable statement NHRA made when they changed the Atlanta date? They said it was done to consider the loyal fan base in the Atlanta area. None of this adds up.

This appears to be a sale with an accountant’s view and not one of an organization that has a responsibility to be stewards for the community and the sport.




“We are a sanctioning body, and we have a responsibility to preserve and protect the sport, and so our intention is to sell the property as a drag racing facility and to keep the Southern Nationals there, as well,” states NHRA VP of Marketing and Communications Jeffrey Young. “We need to invest in the Lucas Oil Raceway, in Gainesville Raceway, and in Pomona (which the NHRA leases) — drainage updates and upgrades to the facilities that we want to do on those three tracks. So we will use some of the proceeds of this sale to re-invest back into those tracks.”

As part of its initiative to ensure a continuation of drag racing operations at the facility, Young says the NHRA and its real estate partner fully intend to vet interested parties; at this time Young says it has not fielded any offers. A 2021 event schedule has already been released, and until a buyer can be found, Young says the Atlanta Dragway will continue to operate business as usual — including the Southern Nationals — until a transition to new ownership can take place.

“We want to keep racing in that area,” Young says matter-of-factly.

The NHRA likewise intends to maintain Atlanta Dragway staff in other positions within the sanctioning body and its properties upon its sale, or help facilitate a transition of that staff to the new ownership.

Atlanta Dragway was the home track for Coca-Cola, which served as the NHRA’s title marketing partner for 19 years before parting in late 2020.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Good point Jim, ...just like the PHOENIX track,...the WRITING is on the wall...even RAY CHARLES saw this coming....$$$$$$ always wins ....

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Yes, Glen Cromwell told us this months ago on a conference call. But think about it like this: If someone offered you $2m for your entire Stock or SS operation, I can only assume 99.99% of you would take the offer immediately. Why? Because money talks.

Sure, you might ask the buyer, "What are you plans with my operation?" To which they buyer may say, "I plan to blow it up and get a bunch of hits
on YouTube." Sure, that would suck seeing your hard work go up in flames ......... but what do you care? You just got $2m right?

My point is NHRA was hoping to sell the track to someone who would keep it a racetrack ......... it isn't going to happen. Capitalism wins every time. If this racetrack was that important then you'd see about 1,000 local racers pool their money together and buy it themselves. Anybody think that'll happen? Nope.

At least you boys and girls still have pleny of tracks you can race your cars at. We're a little more limited on where we get to run ours. :cool: Oh well. It is what it is. And it wouldn't surprise me one bit if there's 1 or 2 new places we're racing at in 2022 or 2023. ;)

Years ago we stopped running at Memphis. Then Joliet. Now it'll be Atlanta. Eventually it'll be another track. It's OK. NHRA will be fine.



Matt Hanley
Car Chief
Leverich Racing Top Fuel

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

With the EV push think it was a sure deal that Biden wouldn’t let SK get locked out. Even more sure is that given the growth in the area the Dragway was a goner anyway. Dragstrips close to major urban areas and industrial expansion are all under pressure...and no saviors in sight, certainly not NHRA.

Understand what you’re saying Matt but just don’t see evidence of any long term strategic planning by the NHRA brass and if Cromwell’s sentiments are we’ll keep going right along until someone offers us plenty of money to stop then that is inconsistent with Wally’s vision.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Exactly. If Cromwell has a plan other then to keep sucking a salary while he pushes the nose down, I would love to hear it. People with no heart, vision or passion should never ever be put in a position of leadership. Big mistake.

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

What I feel is odd, how does a nonprofit sell real estate at a profit?

Then say they are going to reinvest in other real estate that they own.

What ever happened?

Re: Atlanta dragway
 

Hate to see this for Atlanta hope another track in Georgia can keep a national event going down there !