Post by dragnews on Mar 24, 2010 20:12:24 GMT -5
As most of you know I have been appointed by the Gods to be the Ardmore Dragway historian. I have asked the remaining original Drag strip members if they could remember the original date, the Springer location opened. I know by the records I have
acquired that on May 14 1960 Joe, Dennis, and J.R. borrowed the money to pave the strip after it was broken up after only one race. Joe recalled this took place only weeks after the first race. By my calculations. (and I went to school at Ardmore)that puts the first race date around April 10 1960. Hey thats six days after I was born. MOM does that mean the dragstrip and I are twins?
She would probably think so after 50 years. I have photo's of me still in moms arms at that first race. I think I have attended few more races at Ardmore since then. So you might say the dragstrip and I have seen some sights in the last 50 years.
Here are a few photo's on how things have changed over the years.
One of the first weekends. Note the large spectator turn out. No Clocks, a flag start man. and the way cool tower that Ricks grandfather built.
Here we see the actual re-paving being done May 1960.
Dads Model-A.(1961) Some refer to it as the poster child of Ardmore Dragway.
Track operators Johnnie Laird & Lonnie Sears 1971.
Women become more than crew members in the 70's
By the 80's the cows are all but gone. And the cars are getting faster all the time.
The next generation had taken over.
The 90's brought new challenges. Coors was gone as a sponsor. New dragstrips had been built, the rising cost of racing was soaring. But still Johnnie got us through.
A new future of drag racers had arrived.
And old friends kept true.
So as you pass into the gate this weekend wish the track Happy Birthday. And peek into the ticket booth. Ricks' grandson Kasen
has a birthday (1) also next week.
See you at the drags.....Rob
(Photo's and story courtesy of the Ragland collection 2010)
acquired that on May 14 1960 Joe, Dennis, and J.R. borrowed the money to pave the strip after it was broken up after only one race. Joe recalled this took place only weeks after the first race. By my calculations. (and I went to school at Ardmore)that puts the first race date around April 10 1960. Hey thats six days after I was born. MOM does that mean the dragstrip and I are twins?
She would probably think so after 50 years. I have photo's of me still in moms arms at that first race. I think I have attended few more races at Ardmore since then. So you might say the dragstrip and I have seen some sights in the last 50 years.
Here are a few photo's on how things have changed over the years.
One of the first weekends. Note the large spectator turn out. No Clocks, a flag start man. and the way cool tower that Ricks grandfather built.
Here we see the actual re-paving being done May 1960.
Dads Model-A.(1961) Some refer to it as the poster child of Ardmore Dragway.
Track operators Johnnie Laird & Lonnie Sears 1971.
Women become more than crew members in the 70's
By the 80's the cows are all but gone. And the cars are getting faster all the time.
The next generation had taken over.
The 90's brought new challenges. Coors was gone as a sponsor. New dragstrips had been built, the rising cost of racing was soaring. But still Johnnie got us through.
A new future of drag racers had arrived.
And old friends kept true.
So as you pass into the gate this weekend wish the track Happy Birthday. And peek into the ticket booth. Ricks' grandson Kasen
has a birthday (1) also next week.
See you at the drags.....Rob
(Photo's and story courtesy of the Ragland collection 2010)