Post by dragnews on Dec 21, 2008 20:48:48 GMT -5
Since it is the season for thanks, I want to start out by saying thanks. Thanks to you the racers and you the fans that supported the new generation of drag racing in Ardmore during the 2008 season.
Lets start way back last winter when the word got out, Johnnie
and Susan were ready to retire and that Ardmore Dragway was for sale. Now I have been at Ardmore Dragway since the first two cars ran down the strip in April 1960. That has been many
Cowpasture's ago for you at home keeping score. To say my life revolves around Ardmore Dragway, would be a understatement.
So normally I was very concerned when I received the news that the strip was up for sale. At that time the housing boom was still in swing, and readers I have lost many a good drag strip to urban growth the last 30 years. Drag strips don't get replaced when there gone. So on a cool February afternoon I was more than elated when Johnnie handed Rick the keys and closed the deal.
Now while on the subject of thanks. let me say thank you Johnnie for 37 great years of memories at Ardmore Dragway.
A special thanks to the Carrell family for preserving racing in Ardmore for many years to come..
Now the year in review...................................................................
Day one Daniel was all smiles as she greeted the racers to the
new Ardmore Dragway.
For years we all have complained about the dirt, especially yours truly. In phase one black top and lots of it was layed on the return roads and pit entrance area.
I think I only washed the black cars twice all year. Not only did the cars stay cleaner. Jerry Ford was able to keep the starting line more consistent with out the dust blowing across it on those
hot Oklahoma summer days. As always Jerry was looking out for us racers making sure we had equal lanes.
New covered grandstands located on the tower side were packed during the labor day Hot Rod Reunion,Big Bucks Bracket Shootout.
Did I mention Jungle Jim?
Ricky and crew improved the timing system with dial in boards and score board win lights.
Race cars and fans packed the track for the Labor day race,
CDRA, and Cowpasture nationals.
We crowned our first new generation track champions, Rick Armstrong-Super Pro. Dave Raney-No E. Both these drivers
compiled the most round wins to become our champions. I bet
they can do it again. We will meet them in a few weeks in my
Champions story.
Overall I think it was the most exciting year ever at Ardmore Dragway. 2009 will be aven more exciting, with more improvements on the facility and more special events.
Rick and Brenda have committed to make Ardmore dragway the best 1/8 drag strip in the South.
With all that was good, unfortunately there was also sorrow.We lost many of our former racers again in 2008. Danny Paenrod from Walters raced his small block Camaro in the 70's and was always a threat to win. We lost Motorcycle racer Floyd Gaither, who may have made more runs since 1955 than any other racer. Bob Hightower a former fuel racer from the west coast, was a regular in the mid 80's and always crewed on my
Nostalgia dragster, Carolyn Burnette drove the Lamp Lighter
Chevy 2 back in the late 70's, and David Koiner who raced back in the 60's and ran the Trouble maker dragster with his son Bubba at our Reunion events. We are going to miss them, but are blessed to have had each one of them touch our lives.
As I stated earlier 2008 was a great year and the entire Ardmore Dragway staff wants to thank you for your support, We look forward for a great 2009 year, and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.....Rob
(Story and photos courtesy of the Ragland collection 2008)
,
Lets start way back last winter when the word got out, Johnnie
and Susan were ready to retire and that Ardmore Dragway was for sale. Now I have been at Ardmore Dragway since the first two cars ran down the strip in April 1960. That has been many
Cowpasture's ago for you at home keeping score. To say my life revolves around Ardmore Dragway, would be a understatement.
So normally I was very concerned when I received the news that the strip was up for sale. At that time the housing boom was still in swing, and readers I have lost many a good drag strip to urban growth the last 30 years. Drag strips don't get replaced when there gone. So on a cool February afternoon I was more than elated when Johnnie handed Rick the keys and closed the deal.
Now while on the subject of thanks. let me say thank you Johnnie for 37 great years of memories at Ardmore Dragway.
A special thanks to the Carrell family for preserving racing in Ardmore for many years to come..
Now the year in review...................................................................
Day one Daniel was all smiles as she greeted the racers to the
new Ardmore Dragway.
For years we all have complained about the dirt, especially yours truly. In phase one black top and lots of it was layed on the return roads and pit entrance area.
I think I only washed the black cars twice all year. Not only did the cars stay cleaner. Jerry Ford was able to keep the starting line more consistent with out the dust blowing across it on those
hot Oklahoma summer days. As always Jerry was looking out for us racers making sure we had equal lanes.
New covered grandstands located on the tower side were packed during the labor day Hot Rod Reunion,Big Bucks Bracket Shootout.
Did I mention Jungle Jim?
Ricky and crew improved the timing system with dial in boards and score board win lights.
Race cars and fans packed the track for the Labor day race,
CDRA, and Cowpasture nationals.
We crowned our first new generation track champions, Rick Armstrong-Super Pro. Dave Raney-No E. Both these drivers
compiled the most round wins to become our champions. I bet
they can do it again. We will meet them in a few weeks in my
Champions story.
Overall I think it was the most exciting year ever at Ardmore Dragway. 2009 will be aven more exciting, with more improvements on the facility and more special events.
Rick and Brenda have committed to make Ardmore dragway the best 1/8 drag strip in the South.
With all that was good, unfortunately there was also sorrow.We lost many of our former racers again in 2008. Danny Paenrod from Walters raced his small block Camaro in the 70's and was always a threat to win. We lost Motorcycle racer Floyd Gaither, who may have made more runs since 1955 than any other racer. Bob Hightower a former fuel racer from the west coast, was a regular in the mid 80's and always crewed on my
Nostalgia dragster, Carolyn Burnette drove the Lamp Lighter
Chevy 2 back in the late 70's, and David Koiner who raced back in the 60's and ran the Trouble maker dragster with his son Bubba at our Reunion events. We are going to miss them, but are blessed to have had each one of them touch our lives.
As I stated earlier 2008 was a great year and the entire Ardmore Dragway staff wants to thank you for your support, We look forward for a great 2009 year, and wish all of you a Merry Christmas.....Rob
(Story and photos courtesy of the Ragland collection 2008)
,