Sometimes the research find is better then the find itself

[jasonbo]

Austin Raceway Park
This was the home to many local racers and to the Texas top fuel circuit. It was opened in the early 60's as a professional drag strip & 1.5 road race track. A unique feature of the track was that it had a converted Oil drilling tower made into the control tower of the strip. It was closed for multiple reasons, possible tax issues since it was located in the middle of two county's and, local farmers complained about the noise upsetting of the cows. The track served both duties drag strip and 1.5 mile road race track. The track closed in the 70's but it remained a hotbed for the local street racers until the end of the 80's when the city dumped broken cement in the middle of the lanes to prevent any further racing. Remnants of the track remain, the old paved road circuit remains dormant & while the converted tower is gone long since the nostalgic days of racing the track on a count down will one day be converted into housing development.

More Photos
http://s98.photobucket.com/albums/l259/paulherdez/DRAGSTRIPS AUSTIN RACEWAY PARK/

An Now

 

[Trokair]

Very cool. I'm doing some research for a future dig site myself. Expected it to be a late 1800's site but was shocked to find out it was actually settled in 1671. I have some old maps, a description from 1902, and some court records. Just hope the dig turns out to be as awesome as the information search was. Keep up the good work

 

[Bavaria Mike]

Cool post! I'll bet if you find the spectator and concessions area you will do well with the finds. HH, Mike

 

[CMDiamonddawg]

Sad shame ..all that history of the Golden Age of NHRA wasted ..The gasser photo's are great stuff!! 8) The oil rig tower had to be the best for Texas old day's drag racing. 8) We lost many of the tracks up here but still have Englishtown and Atco.. Thanks for the thread

 

[Gator-Flea]

Looks like a great place to hunt.............

 

[Deepdiger60]

You can bet there is some good stuff in those grounds many years and i bet a wrench or two we have 1 race track left out here Riverhead good old figure 8,s and demo derby .Good luck nice photos Dd60