Drag Illustrated Issue 149, October 2019 | Page 56

DIALED IN the transition should go. Going from racer to track owner is an eye- opening experience full of new twists and turns, not the least of which is the operating expenses. “What surprised me most is that this place is a money-eating machine!” laughs McCracken. “You’ll get a wad of cash through the gate, but there’s a bigger wad going out!” McCracken is more than willing to make huge investments in an effort to propel the track in a more modern direction. Updates thus far include remodeling of several buildings, rerouting and adding staging lanes, electrical upgrades, paving repairs, new lighting, as well as extensive clean- ing and painting. Additional indoor concession seating was installed to complement the existing picnic tables outside. A more spacious souvenir stand was developed and relocated to the end of the concessions building. McCracken even sold his beloved race truck to buy a new timing system for the track. “The expenses are incredible – it’s like having an ex-wife!” he laughs. McCracken’s ambitious near-term plans in- clude replacing the existing steel light poles with more modern aluminum poles, which he’s already acquired. McCracken also has plans of widening the track and installing poured concrete barriers, as well as extensive paving upgrades in the pits. “When this place was built, everybody either drove to the track or had small trailers, but today you’ve got these huge toterhomes coming in, so we’ve got to change some things around and keep up with the times.” The one thing McCracken is intent on preserv- ing, though, is the friendly atmosphere of Beaver Springs Dragway. “When me and all my buddies first started coming here some 35 years ago, Bea- ver Bob made us feel so welcome...this is a very welcoming track,” McCracken says. “We felt like this was home and so we all drove the extra miles to come here because of the acknowledgment we got, and I always keep that in my mind.” Even in his retirement, Beaver Bob remains lo- cal to the central Pennsylvania area and frequents the track often, especially during the Ford FE Race and Reunion, of which he plays an integral role in organizing. “Beaver Bob is still around and we want him around,” McCracken says. “We desire his knowledge.” It doesn’t come without the occasional dis- agreement, though. “Bob has been here since day one and he has strong opinions of how things should go, so as a result I’ve had to fire Bob sev- eral times since buying the track,” McCracken laughs. Their mutual respect for each other, not to mention their combined passion for this drag strip, always prevails and in the end they always laugh about their disagreements and continue enjoying this unique drag strip together. For McCracken, he heaps high praise on those who labor alongside him with this new endeavor, many of whom are childhood friends who’ve re- mained close for four decades. “We have such great workers and racers here, and my longtime friends are such a huge help,” McCracken says. “We had 175 cars here yesterday for our Labor Day race, and everything went so smoothly.” The entire facility is comprised of 66 acres, and Mike looks no further than 80-year-old Graham Taylor for help with the mowing. “I’d be lost with- out Graham, and his wife, Betty, who runs the gate,” McCracken adds. “I don’t think I could get 10 kids to work as hard as Graham does!” McCracken’s 2019 race schedule is robust from April through November, with everything from bracket point events to no-prep. Also, there’s spe- cial events that cater to bikes, ATVs and snowmo- biles, as well as special appearances from the Pro Stick and MANDRA series, as well as Al Hanna’s Jet Funny Cars. The York Nationals continues to be a huge gathering and is now in its 15th year. The season finishes out with a great lineup of events including the Jalopy Showdown with the East Coast Gassers, Swap Meet and the Turkey Bowl Gamblers Race. In just his second year at the helm, McCrack- en’s leadership is well-respected and the support he receives is humbling. “I’m driven by passion and we’re proud to have this place! I have high hopes of taking the track to the next level, and when I’m done I hope my son and daughter will continue carrying the torch,” he concludes. DI DI DI DI DI DI DI 56 | D r a g I l l u s t r a t e d | DragIllustrated.com I s s u DI e DI 1 4 DI 9 BEAVER SPRINGS