Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

[Gary R.]

I just heard all drag racing at Englishtown, NJ is done. All other activities will be scheduled but no more racing. Another one bites the dust as the car world moves on.

[Michael G.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

You just broke my heart.

[Paul O.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Here is the Letter. Vinnie and Richart Napp built one of the best Drag Racing facilities in the country. I worked there in the 70's wonder if all the housing development built well after the track was. In another county caused this final blow with more lawsuits.

http://www.etownraceway.com/mydocuments/nappfamilyrestructure.pdf

[Harry S.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Wow, I was a senior in high school in NJ in 65 and that summer started one of many visits to etown to enjoy the cars, smoke and noise. It will be missed!

[Larry E.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

NHRA statement on Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, NHRA Summernationals

Yesterday Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, N.J., informed NHRA that it will no longer host any drag racing events at its facility, effective immediately. This includes the 49th annual NHRA Summernationals, scheduled to take place this June.

[Ed H.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Shades of Lions Drag strip in Long Beach, Ca. where I spent many a 10sec going down the strip in my 1960 Corvette. In Ca. (Peoples Republic of Ca.) there is a movement to do away with all fuel or gas burning vehicles including classic cars. I wish I could get out of this state but my grandsons keep me here.

[Michael L.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Wow that's too bad. I grew up watching the Summernationals there and raced there many times. I also raced at the track in WestHampton LI, which also closed long ago. I still have the class trophy I won on my very first trip to the drags at 16 yo at Westhampton in my '71 Torino. Too bad, it's becoming tougher to find a place to put your foot down in our old classics.

Mike

[Ed S.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

I was born & raised in Sayreville NJ. My childhood home was about 4 miles the way the crow flies from Englishtown raceway. I could hear the cars go down the 1/4 mile at night on weekends from my bedroom window. Does anyone remember the drag races at Old Bridge Stadium in the early 60s on the 1/2 mile asphalt oval track? Starting line was in turn 4 of the oval, finish line was half way down the straightaway. Race distance was about 110 yards, you had another 110 yards to slow down before you hit turn 1. Made for some exciting drag races.

[Dennis D.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Broke my heart when I heard. Spend many many memorible years there. Was there in 69 when they landed on the moon. What a bummer

[Ed D.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

What a shame. Ran all my cars down that track. First was in 1966 with a GTO. I was only to the Old Bridge Stadium a couple of times. The 1/8 mile was a little tight for street cars as they need low gears, but was fun to watch.
I will miss Englishtown as my son and grandkids all enjoyed it with me.
Ed

[Ed S.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

I wonder why they are terminating drag racing. It might be a noise factor. When the track was built it was in the middle of farms - not much near by. The area has grown steadily, and now there are structures a lot closer to the track then years ago. Complaints from residences about noise and traffic might have been too much to deal with.

You're going to love this - check out the article at the attached link. They are closing ops because the owners will lease the property to insurance companies that need space to park flood damaged cars. The owners are quoted as saying that the insurance industry made them an offer they couldn't refuse. Sounds like something that would happen in New Jersey.

https://jalopnik.com/englishtown-raceway-abruptly-closes-its-nhra-drag-strip-1822154422

[Dick W.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

You're going to love this - check out the article at the attached link. They are closing ops because the owners will lease the property to insurance companies that need space to park flood damaged cars. The owners are quoted as saying that the insurance industry made them an offer they couldn't refuse. Sounds like something that would happen in New Jersey.
https://jalopnik.com/englishtown-rac...rip-1822154422

CoPart has leased the track for storage of vehicles awaiting auction

[Ara G.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

That's really a shame. I spent the best 15 years of my life in Belmar NJ and went to Englishtown and to Wall Stadium often to watch the races. Sad to hear....ARA

[Michael M.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

I used this 1/4 mile for about ten years racing GM vehicles. I would have to say that those were some of the best years of my life. Here is another thing that proves all good things must come to a end.

[Roger W.]

Re: Englishtown, NJ- Drag Racing all done after 52 years

Sad news. More and more drag and circle tracks are closing. The land is getting to valuable to have a business that operates for only half of the year. Insurance and taxes have increased very much. Tracks that have been operating for more than 75 years have residents who recently moved near the tracks filing lawsuits, because of the noise.