CAROLINA DRAGWAY 50TH ANNIVERSARY
Fri, 2007-10-05 09:44
The year was 1957 and Chevrolet was
introducing to the world what would become the most sought-after car ever to be
built, the ‘57 Chevy. In a small town in South Carolina another legend was being
born as well. L.B. “Junior” Steed had a dream to open a drag racing track for
the world to see. He started clearing land and laid out his facility…little did
he know some of the biggest names in motor sports history would soon be visiting
him every month. Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins and Ronnie
Sox would frequent the track, lining up next to the local racers and each other.
The years went by and Jackson came to be a household name in the racing
industry. Many tracks in the area came and went but Jackson withstood them all.
Being one of only two 1/4 mile tracks in South Carolina, Carolina Dragway (originally named Jackson Dragstrip) was certainly destined for greatness. At 25 acres Jackson was a large track in the 50's and 60's, but as time passed the size of the facility grew out of necessity. Steed bought up as much surrounding land as possible and kept expanding on his dream. Then, in 1985, it was time for a change.
Being one of only two 1/4 mile tracks in South Carolina, Carolina Dragway (originally named Jackson Dragstrip) was certainly destined for greatness. At 25 acres Jackson was a large track in the 50's and 60's, but as time passed the size of the facility grew out of necessity. Steed bought up as much surrounding land as possible and kept expanding on his dream. Then, in 1985, it was time for a change.
The year was 1957 and Chevrolet was
introducing to the world what would become the most sought-after car ever to be
built, the ‘57 Chevy. In a small town in South Carolina another legend was being
born as well. L.B. “Junior” Steed had a dream to open a drag racing track for
the world to see. He started clearing land and laid out his facility…little did
he know some of the biggest names in motor sports history would soon be visiting
him every month. Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, Bill "Grumpy" Jenkins and Ronnie
Sox would frequent the track, lining up next to the local racers and each other.
The years went by and Jackson came to be a household name in the racing
industry. Many tracks in the area came and went but Jackson withstood them all.
Being one of only two 1/4 mile tracks in South Carolina, Carolina Dragway (originally named Jackson Dragstrip) was certainly destined for greatness. At 25 acres Jackson was a large track in the 50's and 60's, but as time passed the size of the facility grew out of necessity. Steed bought up as much surrounding land as possible and kept expanding on his dream. Then, in 1985, it was time for a change.
After working 16 hour days for 28 years Steed decided it was time for retirement and put the 50 acre facility up for sale. Jeff Miles Sr. was contacted by a family friend Rene' Johnson about the facility. This is when the storied facility took its next step to greatness. Countless hours of hard work and millions of dollars have been spent to take Jackson Dragstrip to the place now known as Carolina Dragway.
Carolina Dragway is nestled in rural Aiken County on 250 acres of beautifully landscaped area. Home to awards such as 1990 IHRA Track of the Year and 2002 IHRA Divisional Track of the Year under the control of Jeff Miles Sr. In 2003 Jeff Sr. passed the torch to his two kids Angel and Jeff Jr. Since the passing of Jeff Sr. the Miles family has continued to uphold the family name by adding 2004 and 2005 Divisional Track of the Year Awards.
On October 13th Carolina Dragway will be 50 years old and their planned celebration will be worthy of the 50 years of great history the track has seen. The Nostalgia Nationals will bring Nitro Front Engine Dragsters, Nitro Funny Cars such as the Chi Town Hustler, Stone Woods & Cook, Nitro Pony, and the Fuelish 69 Mustang. Also on tap are Alcohol Funny Cars, AA Blown Altereds, Arnie "The Farmer" Bestwick's 63 Tempest, plus A & B Gassers from the 50's and 60's as well as the Worlds Wildest Woody Wheelstander. Tickets are just $20 with kids 10 and under admitted free. Also bring your Hot Rod and put it on display for the Peoples Choice award with all the funds from the voting going to charity.
For more info visit Carolina Dragway.com or call the Hotline @ 877-471-RACE.
Being one of only two 1/4 mile tracks in South Carolina, Carolina Dragway (originally named Jackson Dragstrip) was certainly destined for greatness. At 25 acres Jackson was a large track in the 50's and 60's, but as time passed the size of the facility grew out of necessity. Steed bought up as much surrounding land as possible and kept expanding on his dream. Then, in 1985, it was time for a change.
After working 16 hour days for 28 years Steed decided it was time for retirement and put the 50 acre facility up for sale. Jeff Miles Sr. was contacted by a family friend Rene' Johnson about the facility. This is when the storied facility took its next step to greatness. Countless hours of hard work and millions of dollars have been spent to take Jackson Dragstrip to the place now known as Carolina Dragway.
Carolina Dragway is nestled in rural Aiken County on 250 acres of beautifully landscaped area. Home to awards such as 1990 IHRA Track of the Year and 2002 IHRA Divisional Track of the Year under the control of Jeff Miles Sr. In 2003 Jeff Sr. passed the torch to his two kids Angel and Jeff Jr. Since the passing of Jeff Sr. the Miles family has continued to uphold the family name by adding 2004 and 2005 Divisional Track of the Year Awards.
On October 13th Carolina Dragway will be 50 years old and their planned celebration will be worthy of the 50 years of great history the track has seen. The Nostalgia Nationals will bring Nitro Front Engine Dragsters, Nitro Funny Cars such as the Chi Town Hustler, Stone Woods & Cook, Nitro Pony, and the Fuelish 69 Mustang. Also on tap are Alcohol Funny Cars, AA Blown Altereds, Arnie "The Farmer" Bestwick's 63 Tempest, plus A & B Gassers from the 50's and 60's as well as the Worlds Wildest Woody Wheelstander. Tickets are just $20 with kids 10 and under admitted free. Also bring your Hot Rod and put it on display for the Peoples Choice award with all the funds from the voting going to charity.
For more info visit Carolina Dragway.com or call the Hotline @ 877-471-RACE.
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