Remembering America's Forgotten Drag Strips

Key Takeaways:

• Historic Legacy: Iconic tracks like Sacramento Raceway Park, OCIR, Baylands Raceway, and U.S. 30 Dragstrip helped define the golden era of American drag racing.
• Cultural Impact: These venues were more than raceways—they were gathering places that built lifelong friendships and regional racing pride.
• Innovation & Spectacle: From the Fox Hunt to the 64 Funny Car Nationals, each track pioneered entertainment, professionalism, and innovation in motorsport.
• Enduring Influence: Though paved over or abandoned, these lost drag strips continue to inspire today’s racers, fans, and builders.
• Preserving History: Remembering these sites keeps alive the grassroots passion and camaraderie that fueled America’s original drag racing movement.

Before the corporate sponsors, before the million-dollar rigs, and long before digital timing systems, there was raw speed, burnt rubber, and a culture that lived on the edge of asphalt. Across America, hundreds of dragstrips once echoed with the sound of screaming engines and cheering fans. Many are gone now—paved over, redeveloped, or reclaimed by nature—but their legacy continues to fuel the soul of drag racing.

This entry of The Lost Dragstrip Series celebrates four of the most iconic: Sacramento Raceway Park, Orange County International Raceway, Baylands/Fremont Raceway, and U.S. 30 Dragstrip in Gary, Indiana.

What Made Sacramento Raceway Park 'The Home of the Fox Hunt'?

Opened in 1964, Sacramento Raceway Park became Northern California's hub for heads-up racing. The track's signature event, The Fox Hunt, drew thousands of fans and racers from across the West Coast. It was a celebration of horsepower and showmanship—where Pro Mods, jet dragsters, and nitro cars thundered deep into the night under the lights.

Though I never had the chance to attend a Fox Hunt race, I know I would've done everything possible to get there. Drag racing has so much regional culture and flavor—it's a sport that rewards travel and community as much as competition.

A Racing Event Like No Other

The Fox Hunt wasn't just a race; it was an event. Vintage photos show packed grandstands and wild matchups that felt more like rock concerts or heavyweight fights. Generations of racers—local heroes and touring pros alike—cut their teeth on the Sacramento strip. 

When the track closed in 2023, it marked the end of nearly 60 years of continuous drag racing, leaving a deep void in the California racing community. There must be countless incredible stories from this track that we can only begin to imagine.

Why Was Orange County International Raceway Called 'The Disneyland of Drag Racing'?

Built in 1967 in Irvine, California, Orange County International Raceway (OCIR) was a visionary facility ahead of its time. With stadium seating, state-of-the-art timing equipment, and a level of professionalism few could match, OCIR set a new standard for drag racing entertainment.

The Legendary 64 Funny Car Nationals

Its claim to fame was the legendary 64 Funny Car Nationals—an event where 64 nitro-burning floppers battled for supremacy in one unforgettable night. Fans packed the stands to see legends like Don Prudhomme, Tom McEwen, and Roland Leong's Hawaiian Funny Car put on a show for the ages. The spectacle became drag racing's version of the Super Bowl—massive, loud, and unmissable.

Today, we take for granted the modern, polished facilities of Bruton Smith's tracks, but OCIR was the blueprint. Photos of the OCIR tower still give chills—it's the kind of atmosphere modern racing needs again. The place oozed excitement and class. Sadly, the 1980s California land boom swallowed OCIR whole, and when it closed in 1983, racers mourned the loss of what was arguably the most advanced and fan-friendly dragstrip ever built.

What Happened to Baylands Raceway, Northern California's Racing Heartbeat?

Known variously as Fremont Raceway, Baylands Raceway, or simply The Fremont Dragstrip, this venue was the beating heart of Northern California's racing scene. Opening in the late 1950s, it became one of the region's most iconic outlaw drag strips.

Where Street Power Met Organized Competition

Baylands was where raw street power met organized competition. It hosted countless local legends, grudge matches, and NHRA Division 7 events. From Funny Cars to Top Fuelers, racers made weekend pilgrimages to this gritty, blue-collar track that radiated authenticity and soul.

When Baylands closed in 1988 to make way for industrial development, California racers lost not just a strip—but a community. The memory of those weekend races, the smell of burnt rubber at the starting line, and the camaraderie in the pits live on in the stories shared by racers who spent their formative years at this local track.

Why Was U.S. 30 Dragstrip Called the 'Nitro Jungle'?

Dubbed "Where the Great Ones Run," U.S. 30 Dragstrip was the epicenter of Midwest drag racing from the 1960s through the 1980s. Located off Route 30 in Gary, Indiana, it was famous for its Saturday night Funny Car shows featuring 32 nitro machines—an explosive Midwestern rival to OCIR's west coast spectacle.

A Family Connection to Racing History

The atmosphere was pure electricity. Nitro clouds hung heavy in the air, the crowd pressed tight to the fences, and announcer Jan Gabriel's booming "SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!" became the stuff of legend. My grandfather, Jeg Coughlin Sr., raced there several times with his nitro-injected Funny Cars and always spoke highly of the track's energy and professionalism. The stands were packed, the events were well-promoted, and the memories endure.

Though U.S. 30 closed in the 1980s, its spirit lives on through grainy Super 8 footage, vintage flyers, and the stories of those lucky enough to witness it firsthand. Watching my dad share memories of his father racing there connects me to a time when so many tracks filled the landscape and drag racing was exploding across America.

Why Do These Lost Drag Strips Still Matter Today?

Each of these lost dragstrips played a defining role in shaping drag racing's culture—and, for many of us, our lives. These places turned local heroes into legends and gave rise to the brands and innovations that still drive the sport today.

Their stories remind us that speed and power fuel more than competition—they inspire curiosity, creativity, and community. The forgotten drag strips that once dotted the American landscape weren't just facilities; they were gathering places where families spent weekends, where racers learned their craft, and where the roots of modern drag racing took hold.

Lessons from Abandoned Drag Strips

As drag racing continues to evolve, remembering these iconic tracks keeps alive the passion, grit, and camaraderie that made the sport more than just a race—it made it a movement. When I look at old photos and hear stories from racers who were there, I'm struck by how much we've gained in technology and safety, but also by what we've lost in terms of accessibility and that raw, grassroots connection to the sport.

These abandoned drag strips teach us something important: the infrastructure may disappear, but the spirit and memories live on. Every time someone shares a story, posts a photo, or passes down a moment from memory lane to the next generation, these tracks continue to exist in our collective consciousness.

Where Will The Lost Dragstrip Series Take Us Next?

Future entries in The Lost Dragstrip Series will spotlight other legendary venues—Lions Drag Strip, Irwindale Raceway, Englishtown Raceway Park, and dozens of lesser-known tracks across the U.S., where American hot rodding came to life. From Southern California's golden age of drag racing to forgotten strips in small towns across the country, countless fascinating stories are waiting to be told.

I'm glad we have the opportunity to explore these tracks, preserve their history, and share the incredible legacy they left behind. If you raced at any of these tracks, spent time in the pits, or have memories you'd like to share, please comment below. Your stories help keep these great tracks alive for future generations who never had the chance to hear the roar of engines at these legendary facilities.

Troy Coughlin Jr. is a third-generation racer and the founder of Revelry1. The grandson of drag racing Hall of Famer Jeg Coughlin Sr. and son of three-time Pro Mod world champion Troy Coughlin Sr., Troy Jr. has been competing since age 8. A three-time champion with 17 national victories, he's claimed titles in Top Alcohol Dragster and Super Gas, and twice won the prestigious U.S. Nationals. Currently racing in NHRA Pro Stock, Troy Jr. brings his lifelong passion for motorsports and vintage racing culture to every piece of Revelry1 apparel.