Lions Drag Strip 1955-1972

[@halseyknox]

Thanks for the short documentary and the pics. I think the closing of Lions was definitely an end of of an era in drag racing but also an end of an era of America as well.

[@timford3599]

Absolutely 100% correct. It was a very sad time indeed. So much American greatness was lost!

[@chuckjohnson1841]

Grew up in Sunland and spent many memorable weekends here! Bitter sweet memories now, just loved " Big John Mazmanion!" Was able to pass on the drag racing thrills to my son and many of friends!

[@Martin750hp]

My strip where I grew up just a walk down the street. I never drag drag race there cause I was only 7 yrs young. But I grew up with every night nitro rails screaming all Night long I loved that sound and smell of dragracing....

[@HollywoodGraham]

The number one destination in early 60's for me and my friends. Finally took my 57 Chevy. in '61 to race one Sat. but as I did not have a scatter shield around bell housing they would not let me run. Lions was great, lots of famous drivers and race cars ran there. My favorite was Jim Lyle and Big Al (1) a '34 Ford sedan with an Allison aircraft engine.

[@strokersteve468]

Well done video ! I had no idea there was that much history behind Lions. Fascinating stuff !

[@WilliamMcAdam-mw9fo]

My home track was Miami Hollywood Speedway as a young lad I met Don Gartlets there when I was 12

[@jimkalb3339]

Great stuff. i was there in the late 60's when my Dad and uncle ran their Jr gas dragster. never did find anyone with a picture of it. i can see it like it was yesterday.

[@Robinjg5881]

I went to work at the Spires coffee shop on the corner of Wilmington Avenue and 223rd when I was 12 years old. I lived on Sepulveda and Avalon when I was a boy. I went to Lyons dragstrip many times as a boy and young teenager. When I grew up, I went to work at the Arco refinery and I currently work at the Phillips 66 Refinery in Carson. Which is about to close at the end of 2024.

[@mgbchuck6527]

Good stuff, lots of memories

[@thebig93]

During the presentation there's a shot of Sheldon Konblett's "Snoopy" Jaguar XK-E funny car. Although not mentioned, this car crashed at Lions in 1968 and driver Johnny Hoffman was killed. One of the darker moments of Lions Drag Strip.

[@TheJohnOlivarez]

I have some original Lions Posters , Window stickers with the Lions logo and Tickets. The sixties were the days. Not only Lions but Irwindale, Fontana, OCIR, and Riverside. What ever you wanted to watch from Top Fuel to A/GS, to Funny Car to Wheel Standers that was the Drag Strip you went to. Now I live in Denver now and with urban growth there are NO Drag Strips in the Denver Area. HOW SAD !!

[@MichaelGuziak]

>> * Was at LIONS from 1966.till the end in 72.. I have both ORIGINAL LIONS. GRAND Premiere and Last DRAG Race Posters from A local NAPA STORE WINDOW.. I Raced My 67 SS 396 CHEVELLE there a few times. Mostly went to TO the FUELER RACES.. Which is what die hard fans called the Top Fuel Dragsters.. back then..!!

[@stevennewman8276]

My home track in MS got sold & ripped up as well. Heartbreaking...sux

[@georgemalley6414]

Lived in Carson. Used to go all the time

[@MichaelGuziak]

>> Further more,,, I did not attend the last race because I could not stand the thought of the track closing..!!! >(( THE REAL REASON that the Track got shut down was because the track management built A motorcross dirt bike race track near the front of the property by the street next to The Apartment. Building about 100 feet from said Apartment and Raced there on Sundays???? With REAL.NOISEY TWO STROKE BIKES.!!!!! *HOW STUPID WAS THAT?? )) >> NOW YOU. KNOW WHY LIONS REALLY GOT SHUT DOWN...

[@JeffKopis]

THE ANSWER for any potential track builder is to buy up the 1000 acres surrounding the new track, preventing sleazeball developers and jackass buyers from putting houses next door, then COMPLAINING ABOUT THE NOISE! 😡 There SHOULD be a LEGAL doctrine honoring "We wuz here first!!".

[@richarddouglas1712]

If a new track is approved anywhere! Local laws must state that the track is in operation an noise will be an issue! No noise complaints can filed! You don't move that to a sewer plant an complain about the smell 😅

[@LOLjerel]

1/8 mile track with walls ?

[@Martin750hp]

No never 1/8. Mile ,always 1320 ft.

[@rayfabbri3759]

Willys

[@punisher831]

Mighty Mouse