HEARTBREAKING Sudden Ending for Legendary Race Track

The abrupt news of Atco Dragway in Atco, NJ closing forever after 67 years sent shockwaves and sorrow throughout the motorsports and drag racing community. In this video we take one last drive to this closed down drag strip to see it's current state and relive some of the special memories that made Atco so dear to Cycledrag, including traveling their as a young boy with my father and family, watching motorcycle drag racing legends like Larry "Spiderman" McBride, Elmer Trett, Jim McClure, Dave Schultz, John Myers, the start of the AMA / Prostar series, a Top Fuel Motorcycle explosion the Spiderman was lucky to survive and a ton of other cool memories. We also talk about what we can do to prevent more drag strips from closing as top NHRA teams from Tony Stewart racing, to Mike Salinas to the Capco Boys of Torrence Racing have all commented on what must be done to keep drag strips open after watching the closure of Atlanta Dragway, Houston Raceway Park, Bandimere Speedway and so many more. We pay homage to a lot of great people who have passed on including "Atco" Joe Sway who was in charge of the iconic racetrack for so many years. Join me for this trip down memory lane to Atco Dragway in New Jersey. #motorcycles #dragracing
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[@speed6725]

I felt the same way when Englishtown closed. I had many great memories from that track.

[@rdefabri]

I grew up right by Englishtown, went to so many races since the 70's and even raced there. I was crushed when it closed. I wasn't as close to Atco, but have been there, and it's heartbreaking these great tracks are closing down.

[@cycledrag]

I loved E Town. Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@speed6725]

@@cycledrag That’s a hard one. As long as there is $$$ to be made, it won’t be easy to stop it or slow it down. The Napp family put up a fight for many years against the surrounding housing. I guess they got tired of it and sold.

[@ThomasELeClair]

@@cycledrag ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,NHRA got big big big money,,,,,they need to step up and invest.......if a big track is threatened ,,,NHRA should buy the land.....look who saved Maple Grove....... A millionaire Drag Racer.......Hell Mike Salinas is a multi Millionaire,,,step up and buy a track....Same with the Capco crew,,,,,Multi Millionaires.........step up ,,,BUY......

[@wayneb251]

When race tracks fall silent, the memories of yesterday's hero's remain vivid and strong - great dedication video👍

[@cycledrag]

Amen. Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@BigKandRtv]

Folks, we can’t keep losing these tracks. Support them!!!

[@cycledrag]

Amen. Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@BigKandRtv]

@@cycledrag In my opinion every single track owner, big or small is doing it for the love of the sport. If they make any money at all, they’re lucky. The best thing that we can do is promote the sport and encourage paying use of the tracks. We’ve got to get it out of our heads that racing on the street is OK, and get those boys to the track to support it financially. Urban sprawl is inevitable. Lawsuits over land use are inevitable. And when these track owners are faced with those things, we’ve got to make sure they’ve got the money to fight it. Spend money at your local track.

[@rd2fst]

Its people like you jack that this sport needs. you put your heart and soul into this sport and it shows...

[@cycledrag]

I appreciate you. Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@djsi38t]

Great job Jack!...Someone has to pay tribute to places like this that go away for one reason or another.Its always a very sad moment...when you can no longer go to or visit a place that holds so many memories.Recently it was announced that my old High school would be taken down.Just heartbreaking.I feel your pain. I think if it is announced ahead of time that a dragstrip is in jeopardy...maybe then the people can get together and save it before its to late.Thats the only solution I can come up with to try and prevent things like this..

[@1ltcap]

i had been told that a group of racers got together, pooled their money, secured funding and offered the owner more than what he was getting to close it.....and he turned them down. dunno the truth to that or not though

[@cycledrag]

Thank you! Thanks for sharing!

[@fast9625]

Sad, first place i seen ricky gadson I grew up 20 min from there will always love that place

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@fast9625]

Maybe find some investors who absolutely love the sport and don't mind helping keep these tracks open. if I win this powerball tomorrow atco raceway will be purchased and open back up lol

[@geothefisher]

I ran my first 6.99@195 at Atco in 1988. 1500cc big block Kawasaki, fuel injected on alcohol. Atco will always be one of my absolute favorites... it was a great track for bikes and was always well supported back in the day. Those that have been there, either as a racer or spectator have a special place in their hearts for Atco...

[@cycledrag]

So cool! Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@gteefxr3094]

Yup 🏁👍

[@tonyirrera7067]

Atco opened in 1960 , my first time going there was in 1966, that is when Atco was on top of their game, I'm 75 years old now and I'm really gonna' miss that place

[@robhunnicutt6294]

Never missed a prostar race from 1990 so many memories

[@cycledrag]

Such a great race. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@kurtfoulke5130]

Atco was my local track, had many wild & crazy times at the AHDRA and Prostar events 😢 Thank you Jack for sharing such a personal moment and for all that you do for the benefit of Drag Racing and motorcycling throughout the country.

[@cycledrag]

You are very welcome. Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@JimSamuel267]

I grew up in Cherry Hill, NJ, about 20-25 minutes from Atco. The father of one of my friends was part of the original ownership group. We spent a lot of time at that track. My favorite memories back then were watching Jungle Jim Liberman in his '66 Chevy, Lew Arrington in the '65 Brutus GTO, the Kingfish Barracuda and Bruce Larson's USA-1 '67 Chevelle in a match racing exhibition. In the video, he talks about the old tower. Joe Sway did tear that down and put in new aluminum stands with a pre-fab race control tower at the top of the stands. The track was located in the NJ Pinelands so there were a lot of restrictions on what they could do there. One year, I came back to cover the Lucas Oil race and Joe had paved a lot of the parking/pit area that had been sand. I asked him how he got permission from the state to do that. He said "I didn't ask." I spent many great days at Atco, reporting on the races and photographing them. I loved going there. Joe Sway was always fun to be around. The bar was fun. And it was one of the few tracks I worked at that was less than an hour from home, so I could go back and forth every day. The track was not as fun after Joe sold it. I miss that place.

[@drmarkintexas-400]

Very sad 🥺😔💔 Seeing your historical footage, it's difficult to believe that Atco could ever be silenced. Safe environments for families to come enjoy entertainment and sports are not respected. This was a family and generational tradition. It's tragic to know and sad to think what can't be anymore for these families.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

Sad 😢 we had a iconic race track close this year too 😢 great tribute video been watching from Cradle Mountain Tasmania Australia🇦🇺 here cheers🍺🍻🍺🍻🍺 KC 🇦🇺🇦🇺🤝🇺🇸🇺🇸😎✌👍

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@MetalMania3DTV-TAS-AUS]

@@cycledrag better transport to events even free for ticket holders, better prices, example entrance fees, pit pass fees, and stop charging the entertainment meaning the race teams and driver/rider team should be Free, example my Sprintcar Team cost us $450 just for entrance fees including pit fee (have to still pay pit fee 😥 now thats Bullshit ) to get everyone in, we haven't even setup or raced yet my opinion Cheers 🇦🇺🤝🇺🇸😎✌👍

[@texxasal]

Living in the Philadelphia area we had York PA, Cecil county Maryland, and ATCO. all about 3 hours or so from home no shortage of racing. all gone now

[@larryharry7221]

Cecil County is still open

[@pb68slab18]

I remember when Philly police got serious about shutting down the activities on Front St. Atco opened up on Sat nites for street racers.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@RazorRoo1989]

THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO. BRING BACK TEARS. WATCHING MY DAD ON HIS HARLEY. 😢😢BURNING THE TRACK UP

[@georgejetzon3833]

I rode quite a few miles down that track - Sunday mornings - early 1980's! Thanks Jack!!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@michaelmitchell5909]

Man, sorry to hear that Jack. Was awesome to see all these past video memories especially you riding on the back of that harley. Got me chocked up a little thinking about my dad whos been gone a long time now, bought me my first real 3 speed mini bike with a sachs motor, left side kicker...an up grade after having the old briggs and stratton 5 horse solid frame mini bike with a friction brake that rubbed the tire to stop! Never forget those days. Thanks for what you do man, thumbs up every video, keep it goin Jack.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@tonyt8805]

RIP Sacramento Raceway.....😔 😕 😔 1964 - 2023 🙏🏾 🙏🏾 🙏🏾

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@SharpByCoop]

The King is dead: Long Live the King. I have a boatload of terrific memories of this venue. When they abruptly closed this Summer, I was also in shock. Cars, too! I had many great passes in my cars. A fitting tribute. Thanks Jack.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@SharpByCoop]

@@cycledrag Jack: #1 The power of the future is in the hands of the track OWNERS, as you know. A roundtable with a consortium of them would help answer this. 2nd: What IF track ownership was 51% owned by racers? No decision by an individual could upend the future. This would require a LARGE pool of advocates to buy into the franchise. Complicated, but it would be, in effect, * unionizing * the racers. At their investment level. Hmmm.......

[@larryharry7221]

I started going to Atco around 1970 with my dad and best friend. There wasn't much on Jackson Rd back then, just pine trees.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@richardrowe9067]

I lived about 6 miles from Atco Dragway. I was 14 when it opened in 1960 and we would ride our bikes there every Sunday. My first new car was a 68 Road Runner and we would be there to race on the Wednesday night Drags. So sad to see it gone I still live near and go by offen.

[@cycledrag]

Seems like a great place to live. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@matthewgiller7335]

They tried to shut Sydney Dragway a few years ago because people did not like the noise. Luckily the council let the dragway stay open as it was there first. These tracks will never fall silent. Great work Jack

[@cycledrag]

Thank you! Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@matthewgiller7335]

We gotta put in district ordinance that if a developer builds near a race track, the buyers of the properties must be informed and they must waive their right to bring noise complaints against the dragway. If the dragway is built after the properties, so the properties were there first, then noise complaints are still allowed

[@philprice5712]

Maybe it is time to consider co-oping drag strips. If the team owners own a parcel of the track gotta be better for everyone, for the long run.

[@cycledrag]

Intersting take. Tell me more.

[@philprice5712]

I'm suggesting that drag team owners & or riders as strip owners would have a different emphasis on keeping a track going and not just bottom dollar. The track I used to run cost us the owners/riders, we never made a cent. We did for the love of the sport.@@cycledrag

[@gtroyFJB]

In the mid to late 70s we used to got there for the drag Racing. Some of my Buddies had cars and we would go a couple times a month to race their cars. It was a great place to go to. Shame it is no longer there. It was a 80 minute ride for us so it was our local track. As someone stated the places are disappearing but they can’t take our memories First we lost Englishtown and now Atco. Closest to us now is Reading or Cecil

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@gtroyFJB]

@@cycledrag I believe some how we have to get these young people more involved in the sport. I don’t like seeing all these tracks going away. You posting your videos is definitely helping. Keep it up and hopefully it will turn around

[@JodyB-ib1mi]

I raced several of my bikes here and watched many, many races here. I will miss this track forever!!!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@cmsracing]

I was getting ready to go to Atco this past summer and I was checking the web site for the opening time. Imagin my surprise when the web site said it was closed, the day before I was going to drive up from Buds Creek MD.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@JamieEmery315]

I’ve got a lot of great memories from Atco over the years.. from watching my dad race to racing against the greats like McBride,McClure,Price,Furr,Drumms and so many others!!! Hopefully there will be tracks for the generations to come to make memories and live life to the fullest.

[@cycledrag]

Good to see you on here! Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@gteefxr3094]

Jamie, you are one of the "baddest badasses" ever! Isn't ATCO where your handlbar broke off in the lights?

[@user-yw3pz8gn5o]

When I entered the “pits” at those MC Nationals; it was like being at an art show. The beauty and design of those motorcycles. Miss that tremendously. I still have a brand new Dave Schultz shirt that I would never wear.

[@cycledrag]

I agree 100%. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@gary9674]

Lots of memories there racing cars, diesel big trucks and drag bikes ! Very great memories.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@jayhughes2418]

We used to race Atco mainly. Probably about 35 weekends a year and test n tune nights. Very strong bracket program through the mid 90s til about 2010. I probably made 300 passes a year down Atco. We would also travel to Etown and Cecil on off weeks. Atco also had probably the longest shut down area anywhere in the country

[@TreadTalk247]

Sad for sure! Meanwhile it makes me very happy to be near Cecil Co Dragway and see its owner and racer “Crouse” pump a lot of money into his track over the past two years!! Cecil Co Drag-O-Way is here to stay THANK GOD!!!!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@TreadTalk247]

@@cycledrag Jack I really think we need to get younger folks involved in racing early!!! It’s just like classic cars, the “please don’t touch” signs do not want a young person to want to get into the hobby because they can’t touch the cars and get excited about them! We can’t keep people coming to the track if we don’t give them a reason to get excited! We need more young folks in junior dragsters, make them affordable so it offers easier access to more people!

[@phildanh621]

Thank you Jack! All this is so sad. I’ve seen so many tracks, ovals, road courses get closed in the 39 years I’ve been here….Very sad and scary for the future of our sport.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@Channel-jy1ui]

Ran a 10.2 on a stock cbr1000rr at atco

[@michaelmitchell5909]

That's awesome man, you still have the bike?

[@Channel-jy1ui]

Yea . It’s an 07 Repsol

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@user-yk6zu6et5i]

I remember taking our cars there in high-school to see who had the fastest cars from William Tennant Warminster Pa class of 88 fond memories. Love n light

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@larrylux]

Wow Jack, very sobering coverage. One thing Dana and I have determined is nowadays there doesn't seem to be as much promotion prior to an event. Back in 70's, 80's you would hear about a race for a month on the "radio". Thanx to folks like you and Tom McCarthy maybe this sport will persevere. Keep striving Jack! 👍

[@DJPTEXAS]

Spot on, I always hear about it after the fact.... With less " Local " news and little to read in print available, if they don't put it ahead of time on line you never hear about it....

[@796andy2]

Sunday Sunday Sunday !!!

[@DJPTEXAS]

Yes! @@796andy2

[@cycledrag]

Thanks so much for commenting! What do you feel can be done to keep this from happening to more tracks?

[@philsprague]

I used to go to Atco for the car races." Run what ya brung" on Wednesday nights. Sundays I watched some of the biggest names in Drag Racing run down this track. I remember one year I was on crutches due to fracturing both bones in my lower leg. I was in so much pain the guys were carrying me around. Couldn't miss the races. ATCO DRAGWAY soo many memories. I remember bringing my Dads car and ran in G/stock automatic. Took the trophy home and hid it from Pop. He found it gave me hell and then patted me on the back for winning my class.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@colinpattison220]

Wow, some video & nostalgia right there Jack! Great video with very evident raw memories. I sit here watching late in the evening in the UK Jack. So many great names featured there, including good old "Brian Johnson" flying the flag for us Brits. I don't know what the answer is Jack, maybe going forward the "new interest & push" for TF Bike in the NHRA next season may help. We've all just got to get down to the/our tracks and support. Keep up the good work Jack. Best wishes & respect👍👏👏

[@cycledrag]

Brian was a great guy. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@bradleytygard3593]

Even tracks as small as Fontana Dragway in the parking lot outside of California Speedway hurts me. I miss any race track that closes. Great Video Jack!

[@cycledrag]

That one hurt too. That was a big reason why I left CA. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@bradleytygard3593]

Jack, there are a lot of reasons to leave California, unfortunately it’s home for me, I was born here. Nowhere else will do. I believe that what you are doing, and others alike, keeping interest and awareness in our sport is the best way to get folks out to the tracks. Gasoline Forever!

[@billyjack204]

Irwindale Raceway included. Like South Jersey, SoCal had it goin on. May the memories remain...

[@pbmachines972]

Yep I saw Elmer there several times saw Robbie Knievel over shoot the down ramp fifth gear pinned right in front of me good times there

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@pbmachines972]

@@cycledrag we are living in some strange times by ammo and get healthy

[@johnroberts2444]

Hi Jack ,that's sad to hear this dragway is closing down, Happy New Year my friend! 🙏😊🎉🎈🎈🎈🎊

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@johnroberts2444]

@cycledrag I'm not sure ,maybe protest or raise money to fix it up or something! 🤔

[@johnvidal3821]

It still hurts because I was just like u I started going to atco at age 5 years old and always did to closing forever I'm still hart broken about it 😢 r.i.p atco raceway

[@Jeeng1986]

Mr. Korpela I really appreciate your videos and all the support for the race tracks, it’s definitely sad to see them go away. I’d like to invite people to go visit them more often, bring your children, bring friends, family members, pets… let’s do what we can to keep the sport alive! Thanks Jack, you’re amazing brother! 👍🏼🙏🏼

[@cycledrag]

That's a great plan. Thank you!

[@Muffin192213]

Only one track left in Jersey now that being Island Dragway in Great Meadows Warren County, about 100 miles to the North. Great video and walk back in time.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@flacarpetracer]

Bought carburetor parts for my auto repair shop many times over - Dave's carburetor service. -- fort myers fla. --- Dave Schultz

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@ricatiman]

Excellent tale of great racing, family, coming to the racetrack and growing up. It's changing times and changing values that we have to live with today. I remember my first trip to the drag strip as a kid, in 1968, and I was hooked for life. I still ride my streetbike ast the local Friday Night open track events. Long Live Drag Racing!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@ricatiman]

Unfortunately it's a dollars and cents issue - the tracks are worth more as housing projects. Look at the issues Cleetus McFarland is having with new developments right up to the property lines at the Freedom Factory. At least Cleetus will come out ahead when he has to sell out' probably within 5 years.@@cycledrag And, yes that's me as Santa, riding my Monster to a gig...

[@ThomasELeClair]

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,I went to Harley day a few times in the early nineties,,,,,,First time was late eighties,,,,,,,raced my street harley at Atco,,,,,met many Nitro harley guys..........became friends with Bob Spina.......still building and riding at 73 yrs here........................

[@bobmalloy9631]

Great job Jack. It is sad I made hundreds of runs there. Including my first ever

[@cycledrag]

You did a great job. It was cool to see you racing in this video. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@kz750412]

I won the Super Modified championship in 1989. It was IHRA motorcycle division before it became ProStar. It was played on ESPN a few months later.

[@BROU-bb2uc]

My brother ra a twin engine h2 there.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@michaelwynne4346]

I made my first pass in a car there when I was 17 in 74, I mostly ran cars there but in the late 80'S into the 90'S I started racing Bikes, I became good friends with Franky Giordano, Big Carl, Billy Vose, I'd be at franky shop in downtown Philly just by the Ben Franklin Bridge, we would test at Atco then hit the streets at night, i worked at Atco for a few years on the Starting line for Bob and Joe, Bob eventually sold out to Joe, Joe still had his Pro Stock car and it was cool to watch him test their, Joe would yell at us for using to much VHT but we wanted to have the fastest starting line on the East Coast, i probably have gone on long enough but I have so many memories of Atco.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@joechancio5177]

What a bummer. Im here and m.d. and always knew this track to be special. Gonna be sad to see it go. Been alot of memories made there. Thanks jack.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@WithoutCertainty]

Another track gone. I've been there several times and have a great deal of amazing memories there for NMRA and other events. Many many long nights under a car changing transmissions or pulling heads. Some of the best memories of my life with my friends. This upsets me, seeing all these tracks closing. 😡😠🤬

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@WithoutCertainty]

@@cycledrag Honestly? There's only two things that can save, or keep tracks around: 1- Lots and lots of money 2- Buy a great deal of land and build a track in the middle thus preventing people from moving close and inevitably shutting it own. It should be noted that a lot of the tracks that have closed, did have a large buffer of land around them, but they sold it. Track owners are fighting an uphill battle. They don't make a lot of money and the motorsport gets demonized. Cleetus (Garret) is an exception as he is mastering marketing. Certainly not the rule, unfortunately.

[@1ltcap]

I didn't add this earlier. i started drag racing in the early 80's. since then, i've raced everything from my grandmoms maverick to my 89 mustang gt to the shop camaro(10flat car). when i was running there in the 80's i usually went there by myself. it was amazing how many people would come over and just strike up a conversation. or come over and lend a hand with anything i might've broken. it was like i'd found a whole bunch of new friends. but the BEST thing was this kinda cute brunette that i found sitting on the hood of my truck when i came back to the pits one weekend. we got to chatting. then it happened again. then suddenly she was helping me work on my car when it needed it. then suddenly we were married. yea. i met my wife there. sadly, the marriage didn't last, but having met her is probably my fondest memory of atco raceway, and part of why it hit me so hard when i heard that they were gone.

[@glendecuir6317]

That's how we feel in Houston. When Houston Raceway Park closed it's a sad scene. And it hits the heart😢😢 we had two major tracks closed here the Dickerson track it's sad brother it's sad🤙🇺🇸

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@neilloughran3210]

Great photo of you, your dad, Murd and Ronnie. Remember hearing plenty of stories about yall's trips to atco

[@cycledrag]

Thank you Neil! I wish you were there too! You and Cory need to come up to Mid-Ohio with my dad and Murd. Or we will find something in NC to bring those guys to.

[@DonthekidMorris]

After 50+ years Sacramento Raceway Park has closed forever this nov. I hate to see all these tracks closing and my home track in Sacramento,Cali is gone. My heart is broken. I feel like i'm missing a big part of my life now that Sac raceway is gone. We have nothing now in Sac town and only a few left in Cali. I hope things change going forward for all of us. I love this sport and will always support drag racing in all forms. Thank you for this cycle drag!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@DonthekidMorris]

I wish I had an answer but to me it seems like all States but some are just going to want to build houses or commercial buildings and a race track just doesn't do it for the law makers and politicians. If tracks could do something about zoning and keep housing developments a certain amount of miles away that would help for sure. Money seems always to be the answer in most cases. I just know here in Cali they don't want anything to do with racing and we will have no race tracks of any form here in the near future. My answer is the NHRA and other sanctioning bodies need to step and get behind these race tracks that are being forced to shut down and fight the good fight with us racers and that might help. Thanks for getting the conversation started and I hope we can keep all drag strips open going forward!

[@binniedj]

This is painful to watch. I had the same memories with my dad. I've got an Elmer Trett and John Myers poster I received as a kid from one of those events. My family was really in to drag racing cars and motorcycles. (mostly motorcycles) John Myers got me into Pro Star racing and made me love all things Vance and Hines. This is really sad. I also think something needs to change to bring in more people. The Battle of the Brands was a great idea. Something like that expanded to more brands in a knockout style tournament could be big.

[@cycledrag]

Tell me more. Great take

[@binniedj]

@@cycledrag Would really like to speak with you about this if you have time as I have some really strong thoughts on this. I'm really getting tired of hearing stories of tracks closing down and would like to try to do something to get people back to racing on tracks and not on the street.

[@ericmcelroy6970]

Big government is driving price of everything through the roof and making it too difficult to survive doing any type of business. Keep up good work on your channel love your work. I’m SW Pa MX native and love this channel.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@knutbaardsen6437]

Hey Jack at least we still have Cecil county. Hope to see you there again.

[@joemann3536]

Key words you said..."You remembered Your DAD" that is the best!👍👍❤

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@joemann3536]

What you do is great because it brings attention to many who just do not know enough about racing. have to try showing to young folks in the schools that have an interest in power machanics / shop classes if that is allowed in the new school so-called education.@@cycledrag

[@antiquemotorcycleclubofame2692]

Jack, wonderful story and great archive of videos. It really brings back memories and hundreds of stories come to mind. Here are a few, 1) In the summer of 1989, Debbie and I drove to an IDBA event to meet with Jack O'Malley of Orient Express. This who my brother (Terry) raced for. I was there to meet with Jack, who was privately my money guy to start what was then the IHRA Motorcycle Division. From the race, we then travelled to Bristol, TN to meet with IHRA President, Ted Jones. When I got there he had already made arrangements with Bob VanSciver and Joe Sway to oversee the new sanctioning body from Atco, NJ. I was soon off to Atco, which I had been to many times, to work out the arrangements. I met with Bob, Joe and Carl Stieffenhofer. The four of us found the sanctioning body that would two years later become Prostar. 2) in September of 1989 we put on our first race calling it a Race for the Championship. It was based on points, so even though Dave Schultz won Pro Stock, John Myers won the championship because he qualified #1 and set both ends of the record. My bother Terry won Top Fuel against legendary Elmer Trett. 3) In 1996, sadly, Elmer died at the NHRA Indy event. The funeral was the same weekend of our U.S. Nationals at Atco. Sheila LaChance and I flew to Atlanta to attend his funeral. When we got back we held a special service at Atco Dragway in honor of Elmer. It was a moving and touching weekend. 4) Back in the early 90's I remember Elmer and Tony Lang making a pass when a deer ran across the track behind Elmer and in front of Tony. It was a close call that would have been devastating. 5) One of the night qualifying sessions is where Dave Kommel of Auto Imagery took the top end photo of Elmer Trett that be immortalized by Kenny Youngblood in his painting "World's Fastest Drag Bike" 6) Getting back to the track closure, my favorite quote from VanSciver was related to people building houses near a drag strip. He said, "It's like building a house next to a garbage dump and then complaining about the smell." I've re-quoted him a thousand times over the year. Going, going, gone are the local race tracks that depended on the local racers on a weekly basis to keep the bills paid. The future of drag racing will fall on the Super Facilities with major events incorporated with sideshows to lure in the non-loyal motorheads to see a circus as opposed to just drag racing. What's on the track me just be background noise, but the platform will still exist for us purist. Just looking at NHRA, it will take fewer National Events to stop the saturation of weekends and focus on one race per year per surviving track. The fewer opportunities create the greater need to attend. Like Baseballs Candlestick Park, Riverfront Stadium, Jack Murphy Stadium, Shea Stadium, Astrodome, Comiskey Park, Tiger Stadium, Yankee Stadium and others, gone but not forgotten. We will always remember Atco Dragway. - Scooter Kizer

[@cycledrag]

This is awesome. I'm going to post this on the site too! Thank you! Thank you for creating Prostar

[@antiquemotorcycleclubofame2692]

Jack, I know it's long-winded, but there is some good history of Atco. I have a ton of other great stories from 1001 Jackson Road, Exit 4 on the NJ Turnpike. Forever (609) area code.

[@jamesclaxton1988]

I feel you, my home track where I raced bikes Bandimere speedway gone after 65 years of memories

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@jamesclaxton1988]

Man that is a rough question, I think we need strength in numbers but the numbers need to be well into the hundreds of thousands and the support of the big sponsors that support drag racing along with other motor sports they all are coming under fire like Cletus down in Florida. Developers have tons of money and the government’s around the tracks like that. There is another track in Colorado name Pueblo motor sports park, and it is now owned by the city of Pueblo so maybe that type of option could work for other tracks that way they get their cake and eat it to. It’s hard to tell the government to shut down a track that is making them money. Just a thought 😊

[@thomasbreitfeller4010]

Hey Jack I only raced once at Atco it was back in 1982 at the NMRA world points final. I had a KZ750 and ran street eliminator it was only the 3rd time running this bike, and i ended up winning the class. This is one of my best memories of all my years that i was involved in drag racing.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@thomasbreitfeller4010]

@cycledrag Jack, I don't know what we can do to stop these closures. Each track has different reasons they closed some due to money problems, some from noise complaints due to encroachment of housing, no volunteers to help run the track, the reasons go on and on. The sheer amount of time and money that it takes to own and run a business like this is enormous, and it takes a certain type of person to be successful with it. All we can do is support our local tracks as best we can.

[@markp0752]

Atco was my favorite track to race my bike and watch the pros. I was fortunate enough to be in pro star. It was great to see all the stars. I believe Angelle raced there too

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@boostedperformance4529]

Atco raceway was my local RaceTrack and it kept us off the streets racing fast cars . Now that it's closed we're back on the streets again no prep.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@bartmitcham9697]

I am sorry I never made it there. When I ran Prostar I always skipped it because it was just so far away. However, we need to get tracks built in remote areas so they will last years before subdivisions and shopping centers move in. I grew up with Green Valley in Fort Worth and Yellow Belly in Dallas. Both long gone. I saw my first motorcycle drag race at yellow belly. I started on a Benelli 350 single in 1963. I retired in 2015 riding a turbo Suzuki.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@seantaylor3105]

This is such a damn shame. These dragstrips are falling like dominos...

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@trackandtrail6874]

What can WE do to prevent this? That's a monumental task for the average person or racers to achieve and there isn't enough room here to type it out.

[@cycledrag]

Take a shot at it

[@RobertBennie-vx8zs]

Always love going there with friends to race our 1/4 mile cars Sad to see a local place go away

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@anythinggoesgarage5943]

Great video! This closure is sick and appalling It was all about the money till the end with the owner. WE didnt matter. I started racing there in 1988. I was invited to grudge race at their 50Th anniversary. Saw many great races there. Many great grudge races. makes me sick to see this. Thank you for such good memories. I have mine. I got VHS and YT videos up till closing.

[@MsSlosh]

Hi Jack, SEASON GREETINGS to you from England. Enjoy

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@robertwhite2032]

I feel your pain. Growing up in San Diego, we used to go to Carlsbad every weekend for years. My step dad used to run an SS396 69 Camaro then after he ran his modified Norton 750 Commando. I raced my Triumph there for years when I got old enough. Not only drag racing, but we had the USGP world motocross every year. Heck, the AMA used have national road races thete. Also, the Superbikers for several years. It's sad losing these great drag strips/racing facilities.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@robertwhite2032]

@cycledrag change legislation to inhibit people who want to change the environment that they willingly moved into. They moved there, knowing that a race track was close. They should have to sign that they will NEVER try to change the local parameters of preexisting racing facilities. Carlsbad was a local establishment that didn't bother anyone. There were NO local hom.. es for people to get pissed off. It was all about property value. Just like OCIR. Cash. I'm so sorry that extremists have wielded so much power and the community that built the community has been pushed aside by communists. So sad. OCIR is a strip mall in the middle of nowhere. Carlsbad is a drainage for an industrial complex. Why can't they both still be racing facilities? This is ridiculous

[@waynecanaday341]

Went to Atco Englishtown in the 60's never forget top fuel or funny cars what a time to be able to watch.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@user-wq4um2hf5e]

Sad. I was never there but guys like you keep things alive. Lemay Nelson

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@williambassakyros201]

Hi Jack, I raced there many times in the 1970's and 80's when I built many drag bikes. After that I left the business for other adventures. Also, English Town and Virginia were on our list of racing venues for years with Jimmy Simpson. This past year 2023 we headed down to Delaware US 13 Dragway to see the racing and talk to some of the guys I raced with or knew me years ago when I built bikes and raced.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@williambassakyros201]

Jack, it's all economic! When the property of the track is worth more than the income and revenue the owners can make they decide to sell or build themselves. I raced at Bridgehampton, Long Island on their 2.8 mile road racing track. It had 12 turns and a 3,800 ft.straightway. Not only bikes but also car events raced on the track, it was wonderful. They sold it years ago and divided it up into lots. We belonged also to the AMRA and traveled to Road Racing and Drag Racing tracks all over the East Coast. I feel there will be very few left and those only be in places that can stay open all year around instead of a seasonal business. It was fun traveling to Flat Track Races like at Syracuse, NY where they had a one mile oval and watch the Harley-Davidson Factory Racing Team run their 750 XR's. They also closed down. Sorry to say this is happening all over the country Jack. @@cycledrag

[@vehdynam]

Very well done video jack ! I heard about ATCO earlier this last summer. That is a shame. Sometimes I feel "developers" do more harm than good. The struggle for land around major metropolitan areas in very real , unfortunately. I guess strips have to be built more out the boondocks , the way they were in the 60's and 70's. Many thanks.

[@cycledrag]

Thank you!

[@AntonHoward-mx9sb]

What a thoroughly good chap you are Jack.

[@cycledrag]

I appreciate that! Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@BROU-bb2uc]

ATCO was the first track I seen top fuel .

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@BROU-bb2uc]

@@cycledrag not sure brother.

[@tomhenderson1245]

Nice documentary Jack and nice meeting you at PRI to get a couple of CycleDrag stickers! I think show casing top fuel bike will help excite some of the base. More track owners and sponsors should promote more events for Promod bike and 8.90 classes to race a 8 bike field at a car event.

[@cycledrag]

Nice to meet you as well! Tell me more!

[@tomhenderson1245]

Drag racing is competing these days with many other easier, time passing technologies (cell phones - video games). We will need to start in the Jr - HS programs and develop competitions for local schools to show up at the tracks. I am amazed when I poll my college students, that they do not have a clue to racing, cars, or even how they operate. @@cycledrag

[@Hitech82]

Love that sit up chassis Myres used to run..I saw that chassis bar bones rolled off his trailer. Right into Zippers trailer. Then back the next morning. I heard they were trying to make it a sit in chassis. He built a new one instead. Gene Hinkle was the builder fir Zippers

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@paulereeves]

I am from Dallas, Texas and went there in 1986 to see Harley Drags. I met Malcom Forbes when he ew in on hid helicopter.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@r.wesleydukes2825]

I saw Elmer Trent at Atco

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@billyryder501]

I used to ride my dirt bike there they had lites you could ride there till 11 at night it was Tuesday and Saturday nite it was great in the summer I’ll never forget

[@reinhartreveals554]

A guy saying goodbye to a place that changed the course of his life. I feel every emotion he described. I never visited Atco, but I had a track just like that, that when I was a kid got me hooked and ignited a passion that burns to this day. We need to reserve that tracks we have, and make it viable for investors to want to build new ones. That starts with buying a ticket and a hot dog. Next time that you're looking for something to do on Saturday, see what your local track has going. It's probably cheaper that a movie ticket.

[@cycledrag]

Excellent take from one of the greatest announcers ever!

[@MrBubbablast1]

That video was awesome. It’s a shame that it’s closed, I grew up going to Atco. Seen so many big names make passes at the track like Antron Brown, Ricky Gadson to John Force and the great Bob Gliddon. So many thrill shows and just to watch the gamblers races on Tuesday and Friday nights. First it was Englishtown which I live 25 mins down the road from, sad. Now I to travel to Maple Grove, Maryland International to see racing, both awesome track but to go you have to plan the trip. I miss both tracks.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@peterbergeris6510]

Racers have to travel a lot further now. Cecil county MD. and Maple Grove.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@Ronaldl2350]

Dang it! Another track gone! Sadly I know the feeling, my local track for South Florida closed early last year.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@abcanimal]

The last event I saw at ATCO was night of fire event in 2022 with jet cars and monster trucks and cars like "Time Bomb". Very sad to see all these great tracks going away 😢😢😢

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@JamesSmith-mz9ec]

This is how I felt when they closed OCIR Orange County International Raceway in 1983, broke my heart, many , many memories of 64 funny car events, Shirley breaking 250, John Force cutting his teeth, Dunn, Densham, Jungle and Pam, Big daddy, those were wonderful days!

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@JamesSmith-mz9ec]

you can't! with urban sprawl and property taxes increasing every 6 months it's easier to sell some of the smaller tracks and less used ones and make some real$ on the real estate than scrimp and sweat to keep them open, Rember when there were more than a dozen funny cars running the NHRA circuit? what happened there?@@cycledrag

[@boomerpaschall]

Thank you, Jack

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@boomerpaschall]

@@cycledrag Tracks need to do more social media for themselves, live paper view streams etc. Or & additionally, should be televised somehow.

[@ralphvasso7209]

I moved to atco from Philly and I could ride my quad there from my dads house. We lived 2 minutes from there. I also worked there when I was a kid. I also have a lot of memories there

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@Freddie2598]

Sadly, I was home on leave from the Marines when I went to the US nationals and seen Elmer Trent crash and lose his life. I also singing Daryl Gwen crash at that saying race and get hurt really bad. I don’t recall the year but I do know that it was pre-Afghanistan.

[@cycledrag]

1996 US Nationals in Indy. I'm sorry you had to experience that. Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@Freddie2598]

@@cycledrag More spectators to draw in more money for track owners to help support tracks and upkeep. If we don’t have the crowds there, they’re not making the money to stay in business.

[@WFORadio]

Great job, but sad. Miami-Hollywood Speedway was our first track. It’s gone now too. Very tough to deal with. Support your local and national tracks.

[@cycledrag]

Great call WFO Joe! What do you think track owners can do different to prevent this?

[@Bernardking497]

We won a idba at atco and a match race there. Lots of memorys. (Bernard King)

[@spider7431]

its sad some of my best memories are at the drag strip

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@rogerhiggins3190]

I ran a duel engine Harley at Atco in 1967....

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@Hitech82]

The wall i remember was behind the bleach pit. We always raced at Atco on the month of July..the heat on the asphalt hill..We would qualify Friday nite. 2 more Saturday. Then start the race at high noon.. Englishtown was the following weekend. So we stayed at a buddies moms in Summerville.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@djlan_08232]

Also to note, after your statement.they closed off that return rode around 2011-13. The Philadelphia eagles player Fletcher Cox made an offer to buy Atco but was turned down.

[@cycledrag]

Really? Tell me more? Wh did they not sell to Fletcher?

[@louisblair8450]

That was my home for many years I feel like I lost a family member 💔

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@landho1]

So sad, first Englishtown and now Atco. My brother took me to Atco back in the 90's to see Elmer Trett race

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?

[@landho1]

@@cycledrag I don't know what the story was with Atco, but at Englishtown it was about the noise from what I understand. Not much you can do to stop stupid people from buying a home next to a race track and then complain about the noise!

[@leenelson2279]

i remember going in the mid 70sand my 1st trip down a race track stilled hooked it's a sad day.

[@cycledrag]

Thanks for watching and sharing! What do you think we can do to prevent this from happening to more tracks?