Old Bridge Township Raceway Park


Old Bridge Township Raceway Park, originally known as Madison Township Raceway Park, is an American auto racing facility located in Old Bridge Township, in Middlesex County, New Jersey, United States,, in the New York metropolitan area.

History

Raceway Park was founded in 1965 by Vincent Napoliello and Louis Napoliello. The site was originally 308 acres on 230 Pension Road, just off of County Route 527. Since then it has grown to 500+ acres with multiple motorsports activities. The track opened with a single 1/4 mile dragstrip. Raceway Park offered two dragstrips, three motocross tracks, a road course track, competition go kart racing track, autocross track, ride and drive site and adjacent Old Bridge Airport.
On September 3, 1977, the Grateful Dead performed for a crowd of 100,000 at Raceway Park. The show was recorded and released in album form as part of "Dick's Picks", a series of live albums, in 1999.
Their radio and television commercials featured the slogan: "Ah ha ha ha ha ha Raceway Park!" and "Rrrrrrrrraceway Park!... Be there!". Raceway Park "is one of the most fabled drag strips in America, and it ranked among the country's top five tracks".
Raceway Park previously hosted the SuperNationals of the National Hot Rod Association for Funny Car and Top Fuel competitions, as well as other drag racing events. In January 2018, NHRA and Raceway Park officials announced that the venue will cease hosting all drag racing events due to rising costs. Areas specific to drag racing will be converted to outdoor concert space. All other areas of the facility will remain operational, such as the drift track, go karts, motocross, etc.

Racing events

As of January 17, 2018, the two drag strips on the property are closed. Raceway Park no longer hosts drag racing events of any type
The 1/8-mile track was the host of junior dragsters and "trophy" classes. The 1/4-mile track was the host of everything from street-driven vehicles to the quickest in the sport, the top fuel dragsters.

NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series

YearDateEventCategoryWinning Driver
1986July 10−1417th NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsTop FuelDarrell Gwynn
1986July 10−1417th NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsFunny CarKenny Bernstein
1986July 10−1417th NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsPro StockWarren Johnson
1990July 5−821st NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsTop FuelGary Ormsby
1990July 5−821st NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsFunny CarChuck Etchells
1990July 5−821st NHRA Budweiser SummernationalsPro StockDarrell Alderman
2006June 15–18K&N Filters SuperNationalsTop FuelRod Fuller
2007June 21−2438th ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationalsTop FuelLarry Dixon
2007June 21−2438th ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationalsFunny CarTommy Johnson, Jr.
2007June 21−2438th ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationalsPro StockGreg Anderson
2007June 21−2438th ProCare Rx NHRA SuperNationalsPro Stock MotorcycleCraig Treble
2011June 2−542nd NHRA SuperNationalsTop FuelSpencer Massey
2011June 2−542nd NHRA SuperNationalsFunny CarMike Neff
2011June 2−542nd NHRA SuperNationalsPro StockAllen Johnson
2011June 2−542nd NHRA SuperNationalsPro Stock MotorcycleMatt Smith
2016June 9−1247th NHRA SummernationalsTop FuelSteve Torrance
2016June 9−1247th NHRA SummernationalsFunny CarRon Capps
2016June 9−1247th NHRA SummernationalsPro StockGreg Anderson
2016June 9−1247th NHRA SummernationalsPro Stock MotorcycleAngelle Sampey
2017June 8-1148th E3 Spark Plugs NHRA SummernationalsTop FuelSteve Torrance
2017June 8-1148th E3 Spark Plugs NHRA SummernationalsFunny CarJack Beckman
2017June 8-1148th E3 Spark Plugs NHRA SummernationalsPro StockGreg Anderson
2017June 8-1148th E3 Spark Plugs NHRA SummernationalsPro Stock MotorcycleJerry Savoie

Motocross

The riding surfaces on the practice motocross tracks are mostly soft loam, which is known to be one of the best surface for a nice ride, and are slightly angled to allow for drainage. The tracks are also regularly maintained to keep the jump faces, bowls, and whoops from rutting and cupping out. The tracks provide both good length straight paths for speed as well as challenging obstacles like off cambers, banks, ledges, ditches, and more.

Drifting

Drifting is hosted by a company called ClubLoose; they have been running events there since 2002, which started off in the parking lot, but now take places only on the road course. With different classes ranging from introductory, intermediate, and the top level which allows tandeming with other drivers on the track simultaneously. Both the car and the equipment being used by every driver get inspected prior to being allowed to participate. Rear-wheel-drive cars are the only cars that will pass ClubLoose technical inspection.

Event schedule

Raceway Park offers a series of car shows, concerts, mud runs, motocross and swap meet events throughout their season. In the past every Wednesday and select Friday nights they had Time Trials where the track was open for anyone who would like to race their cars, bike, etc. for practice.

Incidents and accidents