COASTAL PLAINS DRAGWAY

America ’ s military , as Jacksonville has a strong military presence since it ’ s the location of Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune .

The following week on July 8-9 , Coastal Plains will hold the Night of Honor event , which gives recognition to the local Sheriff ’ s Department and State Patrol , along with EMS and Fire Department . “ We will have representatives from each department here that weekend and we ’ ll have displays set up ,” says Humphrey .

In September , Coastal Plains is set to host the Never Forget the Fallen Shootout , which honors fallen military members .

October ushers in the Pumpkin Smasher Nationals , and back by popular demand will be the second annual Nostalgia Drag Race . “ This is Nancy Wilson ’ s program ,” Humphrey says . “ She held her inaugural event here last year and it was a great turnout . These cars represent where racing began , and it ’ s pretty awesome .”

The inaugural Spooky Drags will close out the month of October , while November sees the return of the Thanksgiving Classic , now in its 36th running . The New Year ’ s Bash is slated for December 30 , and will close out the 2023 season .

Yet another project that Coastal Plains Dragway has in the works is the opening of the Ace Antique Cars and Engines Museum . Ronnie Humphrey ’ s father , Troy , started this museum many years ago and it ’ s located on the northside of Jacksonville , but it ’ s always been a private entity .

“ This is yet another sideline project I ’ m putting under the umbrella of Charles Myers , and he ’ s put a team together and hopefully we ’ ll get this museum open to the public in April of 2023 . We ’ re so proud of our history here at Coastal Plains , and this museum will be a great way to honor and pay tribute to the racers who ’ s made Coastal Plains Dragway what it is today ,” concludes Humphrey . DI

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