John Justice

Tampa drag strip was right where the open air theater is at Hillsborough County Fairgrounds right near 92 and 301. They also have a quarter mile dirt track there where they raced late models and sprint cars. Does anyone remember the half mile clay track that they have in downtown Tampa where you going to first city at Tampa soccer field is now?

senor honda

Thanks for joining us John and for providing your knowledge.
The drag strip which I recall .....and who remembers the name of it at this day in 2019...
Was across the interstate from Cracker Barrel and Lazy Days RV. It ran West to East.
There might be a huge "Rooms to Go" building sitting on that spot now.
(I haven't even looked lately for the name on the huge building as I drive down I-4).

That's where I recall the track was at.
The track ended and then cars tried to stop just before the intersection at the traffic light at 92.
That is probably what killed the track.
Some cars could not get stopped before going into the intersection at that traffic light.

Don Garlits was nearby in Seffner back in the day, and might provide a confirmation.
Tomas Nunez and his brother used to run a Ford there.
That would provide a second confirmation.

Garlits has a few really good car shows during the year in Ocala (next to) East of I-75 at his museum.
That museum is a great bargain on car show weekends.

Tomas Nunez shows up sometimes at the Tampa Bay Antique Vehicles Association,
cruise in on Tuesdays 5PM -830PM at Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

• 11004 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, Florida
• Phone: (813) 335-3139
• Email: moresi.hydro@gmail.com
• Website: http://clubs.hemmings.com/tbava/?club=tbava

senor honda

I think Charles was discussing the names of two tracks and the city they were in.

Maybe the track I'm recalling was named Tampa Dragway.
The North-South road that intersects with hwy 92 is now exit 10 of I-4,
and don't ask me what that North-South road is now called.
(I could look it up if the bet was high enough lol )
--------------------------------

The name of the other track was Twin Cities on S Mobley Road according to Charles.
It shows on Google Earth.
It's in a previous posting in this thread, I think, but a lot of pictures have gone away
including the google earth pictures.
Charles may be right about the place being called ED RADICE PARK.
------------------------------

The first few posts in this thread will provide more information.
-------------------------

senor honda

I recall going to the dirt track for sprint car races at what is now Tampa University in downtown Tampa.
The concrete grand stands are still there.....and there is now (or was) a soccer field between the concrete stands and the
Tampa U. cafeteria area. I haven't been there for years.
--------------------------------------
At one time, the Florida State Fair was held in some of the Tampa U buildings, (downtown Tampa)
and Boulevard was a main street through the fairgrounds.
In those days....late 60's.......... the Gasparilla parade would end at a Tampa U exhibition building.
Kids got in free....and on that day maybe opening day.....maybe grownups did too.
-------------------

senor honda

What I recall about the current Florida State Fairgrounds can be found here:
Tying some Tampa Racing history together with links: Tampa International Raceway (Fair Grounds)

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...l-raceway.html
You can see the ticket booths in the background with Florida State Fair painted on them.
It would be a good idea to watch this video soon before it goes away!
-----------------------------

IMSA raced sports cars at the current Florida State Fairgrounds.......(some of those roads are still there)
but that was before the St Pete Grand Prix came along. At both locations, volunteer workers would install fences, etc
in return for getting into the races free.........until IMSA decided to shut out the workers.....bad move....
----------------------

At one time IMSA headquarters was over on Henderson, approximately across from Outback restaurant.
-------------------------------------

senor honda

On August 10,
Get your car questions (or problems) answered for free by Andreh
& our 4 knowledgeable, experienced mechanics.

Event coverage is here
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...ast-tampa.html
See your buddies. Show off your cars. Bring your favorite car or hot rod
tuner, or streeter & join us for a friendly gathering of your buddies on the
2nd Saturday of every month.
Insty Tune & Lube
14783 N. Dale Mabry Hwy 33618
(813) 960-3908
Hear Us Roar – Click last photo!
or



__________________







See you there August 10!

senor honda

Charles, Is this your red Cadillac at Insty Tune 2nd Saturday Breakfast?
Every 2nd Saturday of every month...next is February 8 2020
Photos from January 11 2020

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bjan2n8ch...CltnLSmla?dl=0
--------------------------------
Get your car questions (or problems) answered for free by Andreh
& our 4 knowledgeable, experienced mechanics.

Event coverage is here
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/e...ast-tampa.html
See your buddies. Show off your cars. Bring your favorite car or hot rod
tuner, or streeter & join us for a friendly gathering of your buddies on the
2nd Saturday of every month.
Insty Tune & Lube
14783 N. Dale Mabry Hwy 33618
(813) 960-3908
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bjan2n8ch...CltnLSmla?dl=0

senor honda

Tying some racing history together
See last post in thread:
See it before it goes away.



*****************************
Inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame*********************

You Tube

NASCAR Hall of Fame Tour 2013************************

You Tube

NASCAR Hall of Fame Museum Tour... Charlotte, NC



*************************************

Abandoned tracks in Florida area and other places (updated)
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-fl-area.html

Bonneville History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...e-history.html

Daytona History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...a-history.html

Drag Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...ml#post9366328

This link has some historic drag racing pics.

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/dr...pics-ever.html


Local historic drag racing track Twin City Oldsmar

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...florida-4.html


Indianapolis History

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9373490

24 Hours of Lemans history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...s-history.html


Lemans

Lime Rock Park history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/au...rock-park.html


Pikes Peak racing history
Is Pikes Peak a road Race?


https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362624


History of Race Cars

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9370578

Road Racing History
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...g-history.html

Sebring history

The way to part 2 "A brief History of Sebring Raceway" is here:
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/g...-40-posts.html
-------------------------------------------------
This was the original brief history of Sebring part 1
https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/general-car-chat/816701-sebring-raceway-brief-history-part-1-has-now-exceeded-40-posts-115-posts.html
---------------------------------------------------

A bit of stock car racing history

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...ml#post9362625


Tying some Tampa Racing history together with links: Tampa International Raceway (Fair Grounds)

https://www.tamparacing.com/forums/ge...l-raceway.html

Oldgoat

Tampa dragway was on 92 west of thonotossa road where rooms to go warehouse is today.
if you could not stop on the blacktop many cars went off the big end and crossed thonotosassa
Road and went into the woods.
Also the return road was deep sand!!!

Oldgoat

Tampa dragway was on 92 west of thonotossa road where rooms to go warehouse is today.
if you could not stop on the blacktop many cars went off the big end and crossed thonotosassa
Road and went into the woods.
Also the return road was deep sand!!!