But in that same time , many other tracks have either been rebuilt , renovated , or built entirely new . Even in the face of rising property values , land-hungry property developers , and increasing costs for track owners , the sport has seen numerous business owners step up to the plate to provide places to race across the country .

Dragway 42 in Ohio and GALOT Motorsports Park ( formerly Dunn-Benson Dragstrip ) in North Carolina are several years into ownership changes that also came with extensive , multi-million-dollar renovations . In the same timeframe , Virginia Motorsports Park in Virginia and Bradenton Motorsports Park in Florida were acquired by racers – Tommy Franklin and Victor Alvarez , respectively – who have continued to pour funds and efforts into those facilities to build them up .

More recently , Flying H Dragstrip has established a new , world-class facility in the Midwest , bringing drag racing back to the Kansas City area . While a rumored NHRA national event there hasn ’ t panned out yet , the track has hosted an NHRA divisional and a Street Outlaws : No Prep Kings event , while the $ 150,000-to-win Smackdown , September 19-21 , will bring some of the top Pro Mod teams in the country to Flying H .

In July , news broke that father-son racers Doug and Justin Kirk and partner Ronnie Herald purchased the track formerly known as Twin

Branch Motorsports Park . Now 304 Motorsports Park , the site is a reclaimed West Virginia coal mine that was never developed past a racing surface and concrete walls . With the WDRA advising the group , they hope to get the track functional in the near future .

Finally , after years of fans and racers criticizing the aging Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park , the NHRA-owned facility is getting a facelift . The three-phase project will include a new Wally Parks Tower and renovated suites , fan enhancements , a new entrance , new restrooms , a new ticket office , and a shifting of the pro pits to the west side of the facility . The new tower won ’ t be ready in time for this year ’ s 70th annual NHRA U . S . Nationals , instead targeting a 2025 U . S . Nationals debut , but this multi-year renovation project is a huge step in the right direction for one of the sport ’ s most historic tracks .

This is just scratching the surface when it comes to new tracks , new ownership , and renovations happening all over the U . S . and beyond . As a community , we should do our best to support and celebrate these individuals and groups that are investing in drag racing . It can be as simple as sharing a social media post or attending a weekly test-and-tune . Big or small , we can all play a role in the future of drag racing ’ s racetracks . – NATE VAN WAGNEN DI

PHOTOGRAPHS BY NEIL WICKER AERIAL PHOTOGRAPHY , NHRA

From the reclaimed West Virginia coal mine that will become 304 Motorsports Park to renovations at the historic Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park , owners are investing in new tracks or improvements for existing ones .

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