Most Historic Drag Strip in America? Hot Rod Golden Era Time Capsule Lives Here!! (Super Sketchy)

If you are new here you're in for something great. This little track outside of Dallas Texas is something I stumbled across a few months ago and have been going to races here weekly ever since. Yello Belly Drag Strip is UNSANCTIONED...meaning the NHRA and IHRA rules/safety requirements do not apply here. This place is and has been essentially legal street racing since 1955! Little add ons here and there but the core of the facility has remained unchanged for over 30 years and the spirit of the racers reflects the same. We take a tour from Ronnie Barnes the track manager who has also been racing here since 1981 himself. If these walls could talk...they'd be named Ronnie.
Welcome to...THE PEOPLES TRACK!!
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[@Stapleton42]

I always knew this place was packed full of history but I never expected it to be this much. It’s a totally different experience during the daytime in silence. Yello Belly is a gem of American racing history no question....THE PEOPLES TRACK FTW Also: Candyman ZL1 shirts are LIVE!! stapletonautoworks.com

[@moneyninja1647]

Love the videos my NINJA

[@moneyninja1647]

I was at good guys car show at the big track there and I didn't know where yellowbelly was or I would have definitely went by. I'm always around so I'll be seeing you my NINJA

[@jeepercreepers2]

Do some people's track merch maby help put a little money in the place just some thing that could relly help them. U should take top flight security spot. WORK at the PEOPLE'S TRACK !!

[@dejonrobertson7783]

Was good bro

[@dejonrobertson7783]

Love yo vids bro u blowin up ☝

[@Kenneth_Rogers]

These are the tracks that fathered racing in America. I'll never get tired of hearing these stories.

[@Stapleton42]

So true man. It was born here

[@dontask8979]

Agree 100% If this was a 3 hour video, I still would have watched every minute.

[@grifterfadeempire311]

I could watch for hours. Love seeing crazy close races. Ronnie is a legend. Love the peoples track!!!

[@brendankelly605]

My dad and uncle used to race there in the 50s I used to go in the early 80s we went on Sunday....called it going to Church.

[@Matty.Hill_87]

Now that's a "going to church" I can get on board with 👌🤣

[@priceisright1580]

Hahaha ❤ it .. too funny 🤣

[@gallosuelto]

I was watching one of your videos at work and my boss heard Yellow Belly and started telling me stories of him, his brother and their friends running here . I can tell he misses racing because he goes into long talks about funny car races , his brother's hot rod races and gassers he's built . They're out of Weatherford and tells me he remembers Ronnie not only from the strip but from mutual connections and work as well . I'm going to have to pay Yellow Belly a visit with my boss so he can see how the younger crowd is carrying on the racing tradition . Keep up the people's track footage 👍🏽👍🏽

[@priceisright1580]

YB has run some rockin hot 🔥 rod gasser special events in the early 2000's that I remember were kool asf .. it was a classic museum collection of builds Rods racing ... good times .. Racing history US 🇺🇸

[@jamesbailey3821]

Your enthusiasm makes a good interview , question time.

[@MomJeans2]

"Why do they watch the race through their phone cameras. These people know they can look directly at the race, right?" -Your boss after a night with the youngsters

[@soupatos483]

Ronnie saved this track. You should look at old murda clips from a year or two ago before Ronnie started working there. The surface was trash.

[@SSJ2MajinMark]

Ronnie is a goat and hes cool af

[@robb.7078]

Yello Belly, the people's track where a penny can roll faster than a quarter

[@oldskoolbuilds4961]

You should help him get the ambulance running. That be awesome.

[@MrOffwithyourhead]

Solid content suggestion

[@Matty.Hill_87]

I love the picture of the "keep off the track" with everyone stood infornt of it on the track 🤣🤣

[@priceisright1580]

LMAO 🤣👌🤣👌

[@jimmyford271]

Amarillo Dragway was founded in 1960 and is still in operation today. Amarillo Dragway was the home of the NHRA World Finals in the early 70’s.

[@tatormade1997]

Dropped my son's truck off today at Triple Seven Performance in Arlington. Got to meet one off the KZbinrs I follow. Mitchell Stapleton was super humble and genuinely seemed happy to meet a fan. John the owner was really hospitable and showed us the shop and even his personal projects. All in all it was a blast, these guys know one thing for sure, they know how to go fast!

[@steveh5587]

Cool history, cool track. It’s a shame that these tracks are disappearing. This one looks like it’s barely hanging on

[@6-98]

Yea its so old it needs a re-model

[@Stapleton42]

Re model my ass. Don’t friggin touch a thing

[@Tylercmadden]

This track will never go anywhere

[@Zx10mezz]

It’s been looking like this since i first went to it around 06’ or so... so it’s hanging on good from that barely

[@728GT]

Hanging on? The Gut is ALWAYS jumping

[@andrewhentges3237]

I love that Ronnie is still there and rides his bike still. Love the videos. Keep it up

[@JimmyJohn60]

Yello Belly on Sunday afternoon after cruising Keist Park in Oak Cliff in the late 70’s and early 80’s. Consumed plenty of alcohol and reefer and back to work on Mondays. Good times. Thanks for sharing this trip down memory lane.

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man!

[@chriscaliri7977]

This is awesome we need more people like Ron in this country. Save the great racetracks stop mowing them down for shitty condos

[@devint7758]

Man I look for this channel to really blow up. Ive been subscribed since you started at the peoples track and every videos is grade A. Keep up the great work!

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks dude. Putting points on the board every day 💪🏻

[@elchoobs6638]

Same thats how i got here and havent missed a video 🤙

[@brennanbowers3184]

This guy reminds me of my grandfather.. Miss you pops

[@fixithamilton6086]

I have a Fox Body Mustang set up for racing. Full roll cage and everything. You have inspired me to bring it back to life!!

[@secretagentx52]

I've watched Murdas "hood track" streams for a while and have watched all of your "peoples track" videos, but this video was even more awesome. . I knew Ronnie was a drag bike racer, photographer, and the track manager, but hearing and seeing his personal history of the track was awesome. Thanks you and Ronnie for the video. 10 out out of 10!

[@greggilbertson3313]

I've watched this video 7 times...this is your best history track! Everybody does nascar stuff...but grass roots dragstrips get lost in time...wish you would would go back and continue this content...also I meet you in person at tulsa when you had rig up your exhaust to make a hit...miss those days

[@hatersgonnahateyo]

is it possible to nostalgia over a time when you werent alive. the nostalgia is real

[@l3git_papa]

Grew up on tracks in the 80s and 90s was cool to relive the memories on this video. I remember watching Ronnie in the 80s and 90s thanks for the trip down memory lane

[@evelkoloski]

mornin .... Goin out to fire up my 06 srt8 charger to upgrade the fuel system this weekend, going pro charger next month.... love the yellowbelly footage, even my wife watches and loves all your bs...and both love it, but that will have to wait, bout an hour.... im 51, and have a few stories.... but daaayum, love that OG commentary. Keep the shiny side up Ronnie!!!

[@MrTexasDan]

Drag strip forensics! Nice job peeling back the layers of history in this place.

[@pjoshuashepherd]

Ronnie is a rad dude, he should make a KZbin channel! I know he has some badass stories and a lot of knowledge that we could gather about the track and life in general!

[@MrNativebear]

Too fast grandpa two wheel scooter Ronnie! History of yello belly people's TRACK!

[@christopherhuber7428]

Mr. Hood Cleetus this video was really great. It was awesome for Mr. Ronnie to go thru the history and the nostalgia associated with The Peoples Track. Quite literally a step back in time like you had said.

[@Bigdubs55]

So much history packed in this video. Thank you for taking the time to put it together and thank you for the weekly “People’s Track” videos. Nothing has changed. My Dad raced here in the late 60’s and early 70’s. Gold 67 coupe Mustang with a 390 and 4 speed. It was a quarter mile track then and he always talked about how skeech the shut down area was. I raced there in the late 80’s with my 65 stepside C-10 and then a couple of fox body Mustangs. Definitely will have to make a trip out again tomorrow I check out the action and say hello and appreciate your time invested in making the videos happen!!

[@JPOWDaGangsta]

Not even halfway through and am enjoying every second of this video. So much history! Can only imagine racing back in the day. Good work putting the video together. Thanks to Ronnie for providing you with awesome photo and stories!

[@Stapleton42]

Ronnie is the man

[@Spaman42]

When you asked about another speedway with as much or more history, Temple popped into my head and he immediately says Temple was built two years later, lol.

[@ChrisWilliams-ri4bp]

I'm 38 years old and I remember going to Yello Belly as a kid. There's a little track like that in Temple Tx. Little River dragway. It's just as old and has just as much history.

[@Bee_Vet_Collects]

You're the man for showing the history of this track man. Ronnie is a true OG of the sport. Huge props to both of you. Thanks for the history lesson. 🤙

[@probablynotwearingpants6228]

The Onion Track! So many layers! And lots of cool history.

[@priceisright1580]

LOL 🤣

[@deanrandall8542]

Glad that Ronnie took you on a tour of the place, lots of cool history! And thank you for taking the time to show us!👍🤠

[@young11984]

Always love seeing the history and old pictures of tracks and see the stages of upgrades over the years

[@Darkdivine12]

Literally the coolest thing I have seen in a very long time! So much history and amazing things to listen to and take in. This is a video to rewatch and enjoy over and over again. Thank you Stapleton and Ronnie for taking the time to do this!

[@smallgaragebigdreams1085]

Ahhhhhhhhhhh shoulda planned this upload for the end of the day 😂 now everyone wondering why I’m sitting in my truck for an hour 😂😂😂 thanks for this upload bro. Cars and history go hand and hand!

[@TheAmerican1963]

Back in 1986-87 I used to race my GSXR 750 there ..... scary place now that I'm 60 years old !!!!! I was told by an "old-timer" that the original owner wanted to extend the track to 1/4 mile but could not buy the land at the end to facilitate it. At the time I used to go, bikes ruled the street. That has all changed. Cars today rule the "scratch" so to speak. I remember the street light that was used. It was a wild place. Raymond Ross owned the track behind Yello Belly in the early 2000's. I used to work with him at LTV. He was quite the dirt tracker back in the day. He sold it last I heard because it flooded constantly. 🙂

[@when_pigs_fly1817]

"Hope the people enjoy it". Thank you Ronnie, WE DID!

[@justinw_tbss_dadvan9447]

Love seeing the old school photos. I hope some day I can make it out to Yello belly that track is classic American history

[@mikenapper3725]

this maybe my favorite viedo.of your so far i love the nostalgia and the history behind drag racing love old pictures and videos of the hay day of the sport man i wish i could of lived it Thanks for the videos

[@Stapleton42]

Thanks man 🤟🏻

[@rontronnesjr]

AWESOME information. Mitchell, thanks for taking the time to do this with Ronnie. Love history.

[@ImpHalla66]

Thx for taking the time to dig up the history. Thx Ron for taking the time to show SAW around the track. I've never seen it during the daytime.

[@johnolive3377]

I raced for the last time there in 1968 and it’s was 1/4 mile. I never heard of 1/8 mile. I drove a 1967 435 hp corvette. I worked for Friendly Chevrolet in Dallas. It was all asphalt. I’m 67 years old and live in Lubbock Tx. Good luck to all of you John Olive.

[@dhaswell2587]

I ran my 79 Monte Carlo there from 2000 to 2015. The end shed where the dirt is, was built around 2010. I remember a Jeep jumping up and taking out the starting tree. Saw many wrecks there. I loved sitting on the East side of the track under the cover watching the action go by that close. I live in Oregon now. Still have the car.

[@paulbutz8292]

So Awesome. Thank you for taking the time. I really love that track. I was born in Arlington and lived in Dallas and Fort Worth. My dad was into racing as well as my uncle. Too bad both aren't here to ask about that place. Bet they had been there.

[@Americaslostcars]

Ronnie seems like one of the coolest people ever. Could literally sit and talk to that guy forever and listen to old stories.

[@larryw76]

That black nova2 was my pops. Dracula was unstoppable. Good memories.

[@muddywaterfishing]

I'm glad you're documenting the history of this place, this stuff will never not be cool.

[@amd6570]

Ronnie seems like such a cool guy. I love to see all those old pics. Awesome video, Thanks for sharing.

[@ruleroftheundersky570]

The history of The Peoples Track. Always nice to hear the stories, and see old pictures. It helps people connect better with the track. I really enjoyed the pictures from the 60's. Looking back in time is always awesome to me. I love this track that much more now knowing, and seeing the history of it. Great video my man. I have to make it out to this track one day... It's on my bucket list now.

[@jamesfrost5261]

I had a 2009 kawasaki zx14 like Ronnie's. It was stretched and lowered also. Had a accident on it in 2012 and broke my back. Can't walk anymore but would get back on it in a heart beat. Ron talking about wheelies is great, the 14 would come up at 80 shifting into 2nd. One day I kept it straight up and down at over 130mph. I had the wind push me from the left shoulder over to the right shoulder. I came to a patch of trees that blocked the wind and I finally brought it down.

[@MM_in_Havasu]

Digging the wheelie on that Honda CBX @ 1:20 and 36:30 in the video, still have my own 1979 Honda CBX(bought new in '83)that is now turbocharged. Very informative history video of this cool facility! This is what it's all about.

[@southernviking3113]

Perfect example of "if its not broke dont fix it!!" just repair a little lol i was raised up around drag strips and dirt tracks here in NC and they all have their own story to tell!! thanks again for the video!

[@mikemalone5230]

Thanks for doing this video. I grew up in Irving and this was a hangout in the 80's. Sportsdrome was right next door and raced on Saturday nights. Lot's of memories for a whole bunch of people here. The peoples track is an appropriate name.

[@NObucketLIST]

My Dad ran 1/4 mile at this strip in '67. Moved in Jan. '68. I was 6 mo. old! I have to go see this one day while it and me are still kickin'.

[@Stapleton42]

That’s awesome

[@NObucketLIST]

@@Stapleton42 👍 Oh yeah. You hit it right on the money. He used to say he ran 13s @ 96-97 MPH.

[@mikegraczyk3706]

Absolutely loved watching this. Thanks to you and Ronnie for taking the time to go through all this great history. Tracks like this; the people that race there and fill their stands are where the heartbeat of the American Racing Spirit lives and beats true. It's too bad that's so many are dying due to minds being consumed by the digital devices. Places like Yello Belly really are a beacon of hope for the future racers

[@drewrout]

Thanks for taking the time to do a history lesson on "The Peoples Track". 👍

[@chrisrosado1553]

You make some bada$$ videos but you outdid yourself this time! Finally the backstory of the gut from the "Wheelie King" himself Ronnie Barnes. We need more videos like this where you visit old tracks and listen to the history.

[@Matty.Hill_87]

I've wanted to know the origins of this place since you started going regularly, this is going to be a good episode

[@Stapleton42]

I had so much fun filming it

[@mjc8248]

Thanks for the history lesson man. Even with the cars being slower it took balls to run a quarter there.

[@Raceussery]

My granfather was the head foreman for the company that retopped the track in the early 90’s, I was riding with him when I was kid the day it was finished and he took me down the track. I love going to this track!

[@nescaferacers3145]

BIG THANKS to you and especially Ronnie for sharing the history of this storied track! Mitchell, you may have missed your calling as a Hot Rod/ Drag historian... Keep up the variety in the channel!

[@Stapleton42]

Who says I missed it? I am providing that information here aren’t it 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@metrickarma]

@@Stapleton42 Your 'interviews' are some of the best content! Ask the most insightful questions, hoping to see some of this at rocky mountain race week!!!

[@Flippin-mad]

This is the best series on KZbin, your passion for this track shows and is infectious. Keep up the excellent work!

[@Gmgl-lorsavage]

My grandfather has a race car from back then and me and him is rebuilding it and it’s pretty cool we redoing everything

[@Fordster22]

Great video and thank you Ronnie for sharing with us!

[@ryansammons12]

Ronnies the man love the back story and history of the peoples track.

[@bigfredo2987]

Thank you for this. Makes me proud to know I’ve been part of this history. One of the last outlaw tracks left in America.

[@EverythingElseWasTakenAlready]

What an absolutely gnarly piece of history.

[@priceisright1580]

Part of racing 🏎 history US 🇺🇸 !!!!

[@joeziegler9054]

Thanks for sharing bro! There's a lot of history and memories at that track. As you said I'm a nerd too when it comes to this shit. I live in SC and there was a small track we raced at in Darlington SC. 1/8 mile track nothing fancy but it was packed every weekend! Good times. We had a white 63 Nova II with a small block. The car was tubbed with a full roll cage. The guy that built the engine worked for Gene Fulton for a long time. We ran 6.30's consistently and we thought in the 80's we were flying!! The guys with the big money back then were running in the mid to high 5's. We thought it would last forever!! They eventually closed that track due to the fact it was right in the middle of a residential neighborhood! Thanks again for the trip down memory lane. I hope one day I can make it to "The peoples track"

[@Breal08]

damn man this guy brought back so many memories. I started going to yellow belly in the '90s and 2000s and I remember those days.

[@Holt443]

Great video! There’s a dragway up here in Michigan called Milan dragway that’s been around since the 60’s and is still popular today and it also has a lot of history. I go there all the time in the summer and it’s a pretty cool ass place. Keep up the good videos!

[@jbrinTexas]

We raced and set records in modified and comp eliminator at the old Green Valley drag strip in Dallas back in the late 70’s. They tore it down and built houses on the property. I have pictures of Tommy “TV” Ivo running his four engine dragster there. I still have most of my drag shirts from the late 70’s early 80’s.

[@elevatedinnature]

Bunker Hill Raceway and Drag strip in Kokomo Indiana!!!! Opened in 1956!!! It’s the country version of the people’s track!!!!

[@donnie1581]

Hell yeah. My uncle used to race there in the 60's-80's

[@Stapleton42]

Is it renovated or still mostly original?

[@elevatedinnature]

@@Stapleton42 pretty much original, nearly sure it’s only amateur and daily driver races there!! It’s a fun time and a buddy of mine just got a part time job there to help during the summer

[@ryanherman5035]

I believe bunker Hill is ihra now. They hold ihra summit series races there now. Dad drag raced there in the 80's. Back then places like bunker Hill Osceola dragway was the yellow belly tracks Martin mi us 131 was nhra that's where the big boys went

[@Scottholiday13F]

@@Stapleton42 it’s still mostly original but they’re getting into some renovations. I’m an hr away and my brother and i go there with our friends to test before covid smh

[@AR-gp4eu]

This track is so OG. Love the atmosphere and raw feeling of it. Feels like street racing!!! Love it!

[@ferdsan9025]

I hope he knows how much that peek into racing history means to us, thanks for the vid stape 🤘

[@Stapleton42]

Yessir!

[@priceisright1580]

Big part of racing 🏎 history US 🇺🇸 !!!

[@elvissking]

Awesome job on the research on the people’s track. Ronny is a wonderful dude.

[@CARMEKANIK]

Thanks for documenting this, my family raced there back in the 60s and 70s and more recently in the 90s and early 2000's.

[@chesa6795]

Awesome, how cool is that? Thanks for the nostalgic trip down yellow belly lane. Also many thanks to Ronnie for the tour. Great video.

[@ziptiejedi5658]

Got to love an old outlaw drag strip!! It a shame there isn't many left.

[@RyanKirk99]

Honda CBX doing a wheelie must have been a sight to see and great sound. One of the best sounding bikes in history.

[@rosiejo2045]

This is why you have the best channel this type of detail is amazing

[@HeMan_420]

You uploaded just as I finished my last day of welding school. and with a banger

[@stevencostley9266]

The people's track. Thanks for the history. 👍

[@fetusmccarlane9627]

Can't thank you enough for this upload!

[@bobmcnelis3648]

#1 Ronnie is the Legend!! #2. With all of the mechanical talent that uses those facilities, some folks should show some love, and straighten out the Ambulance for their own good. I know that the track owners have some liability, but that’s what the racing community does! What ever is needed, to both help and promote our sport!

[@trylessego]

Thank You Ronnie...

[@krushon3298]

My dad took us once or twice as a youngsters, I went a few more times in my teens, took my kids in my 20s, non-existent to me in my 30's....AND after this great vid now set as a reminder, I have to go for the first time in a long time now that I'm 40....I was raised 10 min up Davis on the hill in a house where my parents still reside til this day! HOW TIME FLIES!!!

[@krushon3298]

I literally just got off Google maps looking at YellowBelly.....I was in bit of a shock when I got into KZbin and seen this vid, perfect timing! 💥🤯💭

[@krushon3298]

Oh yea, I just hit that 'sub' button!👍

[@kevinporthouse2773]

So cool. I have been waiting for this video since you mentioned doing one. Ronnie is the man for taking time to share the history with you.

[@n5ifi]

I used to work on the railroad that goes right behind that track in 1979 and it was open then. It is a historic track which at that time was in the middle of nowhere.

[@Stapleton42]

man thats wild to think since it is so congested in that area now

[@pawpawg7358]

Wheelie on a 6 cylinder 78 Honda CBX, those are ballz of steel. Love seeing this old track still going. They should use those buildings for a flea market

[@radkesrods1184]

my dad used to bring me there when i was 8. those pictures gave me goosebumps

[@Stapleton42]

Dude that’s awesome

[@dustyjones756]

How old are u now if you don’t mind

[@priceisright1580]

Classic US 🇺🇸 racing history !!!!

[@austin3439]

Its great to see a video with Ronnie and the history of the track. Places like this are the grandfather of drag racing. Good on you for keeping the heritage and history of the sport alive. Especially in todays era where a lot of these places have closed their doors and more and more are closing for good each year.

[@MausSpaece]

The Candyman shirt is FIRE! I hope Baylor wasn't offended it's a badass shirt.

[@feREXtheBLUE]

You should come down to Houston and talk to judson Massingill at SAM Tech. Dude has been racing since the 60s around Dallas and Houston. He's done everything in the race community.

[@motogeekster5399]

Thanks for this!! I am totally addicted to watching these videos. They are less boring that your build vids... not that I can talk.

[@Rene_ROwdyy]

Really cool to see the history and how the place envolved over the years and became to what it is nowadays and that you took the time to show it to all of us.👌🏼Nice work man

[@sendit9129]

This is exactly the kind of stuff I love seeing. To me, racing in general was 10x more pure and badass back in the day. We saw that fall out with Nascar, we've seeing it fall apart with drag racing, and we've seen it fall apart with supercross. Listening to all of the old stories of Near-broke blue collar guys tweaking, shifting, drilling, and welding anything they could on a car.. whether it be a football in the RR coil spring, home made fuel baffles, etc.. they were out there to win, and wasn't banking on a credit card to fund it. The stuff you see put together there from back in the day carries that same old school theme of "We're not here to make it pretty, we're here to make it work".

[@solitaryclusterofneurons598]

I get the sentiment, but lets be real, most guys that run here aren't 'near broke'. Even if you're building your car yourself, most cars running here have $5000, $10,000, $50,000, $100,000+ worth of parts, plus cost of tools, workspace, etc. You gotta be well off, struck career-gold, or just be born into a family that was already doing that shit

[@normannew7774]

I grew up at that track. My dad won B class about every Sunday all thru the 70's in a orange 66 Chevelle named Persuasion his name is Norman New. Had a lot of fun and memories at that track

[@LoganFord91]

Awesome piece of history! Somewhat reminds me of my home track, Huntsville Dragway in Huntsville Alabama. Functional time capsules.

[@Liv4z28s]

Very cool to go back in time like that, loved it!