PHOTOGRAPHS BY VAN ABERNETHY
Striking a Balance
Buff second and third generation modernize Shadyside Dragway while maintaining old-school flair
By Van Abernethy
November / December 2024
It ’ s always encouraging when a vintage dragstrip undergoes an extensive remodeling , and Shadyside Dragway is a perfect example of what can be accomplished when restoring a time-honored facility . Tucked away in rural Shelby , North Carolina , the Buff family – who ’ s owned the facility since 1980 – has poured tons of time and resources into this fabled dragstrip in recent years .
Perhaps the most visible upgrade is the sprawling aluminum bleachers just installed in 2024 . For Lennie Buff and his kids , the upgrade , while impressive , was bittersweet since Lennie and his dad , the late Ronnie Buff , together poured the concrete bleachers that had previously accommodated race fans for decades .
Next came the replacement of Ronnie ’ s beloved Chrondek timing system , in favor of the much more modern Accutime platform . “ Grandpa would kill us if he knew we replaced his Chrondek system ,” laughs Seth Buff , who along with brothers Bryson and Zackary make up a trio that Ronnie lovingly referred to as “ his grandbabies .”
Among the other surprising moves was when Shadyside joined IHRA , which raised more than a few eyebrows since this track had never once been sanctioned since it opened in 1958 ! “ The whole sanctioning body experience has been a learning curve for us ,” says Lennie .
In mid-summer 2024 , the guys broke out the earthmoving equipment and began grading the top of the property , expanding the pits to better accommodate massive modern race rigs . Additional spectator parking is also being performed , as the track is hosting larger events of late . Updated scoreboards and fencing also complement the ongoing improvements . A litany of other updates is being discussed and include things such as redoing the top end , installing concrete guard walls , building a new tower , and eventually designating a portion of the stands for VIP .
The Buff family has admittedly embraced the changes that are necessary if they want to continue moving forward , but they also haven ’ t forgotten that they ’ re walking on hallowed ground of drag racing folklore . Legends such as Scotty Cannon , Tommy Mauney , and many others did some of their earliest racing at Shadyside . Marching into
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