BYRON, CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND ST. THOMAS ADDED TO NHRA MEMBER TRACK ROSTER
The NHRA has announced that three tracks have joined the North Central Division member track roster including Byron Dragway and Central Illinois Dragway in Illinois and St. Thomas Raceway Park in St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada.
Having virtually grown up at Byron, B.J. Vangsness has recently taken controlling interest of the Northern Illinois facility from long time promoter Ron Leek. Dubbed the “Playground of Power” Byron has more than 60 events scheduled with its first special coming up Sunday, May 1 with Nostalgia Nitro Funny Cars and a number of other groups as part of their short track bracket nationals. For additional schedule information see their website www.byrondragway.com.
Bob Gibson is new owner of Central Illinois Dragway, formerly Midstate Dragway, near Havana, Ill. Gibson and his staff have been moving quickly since the purchase of the track to get ready for the 2011 racing season. Following a couple of test and tune weekends the track will begin its point series May 15 to qualify racers for the NHRA Summit Racing Series North Central Division Finals in September. An NHRA chassis inspection seminar has been scheduled on Saturday, May 21 at the track for racers in the area. For more track info log onto their website www.centralillinoisdragway.com.
St. Thomas Raceway Park becomes the second track in the Ontario province to join NHRA since last season. Toronto Motorsports Park, which operates out of the Northeast Division, returned to NHRA in January. John Fletcher will be overseeing racing at St. Thomas which he originally purchased at the end of the 1989 season. The track has a number of Street Legal, bracket racing and special events planned. Complete information may be found on their website www.sthomasracewaypark.com
“We are pleased to welcome each of the tracks and look forward to working with them in offering racers in their area with the opportunity to participate in the National DRAGSTER Challenge, NHRA 60th Anniversary King of the Track, and NHRA Jr. Dragster Challenge special events,” said NHRA North Central Division Director Jay Hullinger. “Racers from Byron Dragway and Central Illinois Dragway will qualify for the North Central Division NHRA Summit Racing Series Finals and we’re excited about working with John (Fletcher) in creating new programs in Ontario.”
