TUCSON DRAG RACING

TUCSON: VINTAGE DRAG RACING

NEW 2/25/09: Photos from Jay Moody, courtesy of the photographer, Rex Scott.

This car was built by Rex Scott, and later raced by Paul Brittenham who ran it at the "Fuel Altered Nationals event."

Tucson Dragway Photographs from the collection of Dougan Lloyd Gary.

Bradford's, Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

Don's Willys, Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

Dyno Don, Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary, Nanook

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary, Nanook Fire Burnout

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary, Shirley

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary, Warren Johnson

Photo by Dougan Lloyd Gary

The Last Days of Tucson Dragway

The following photographs are from Scott Hansen. These photographs were taken on Feb. 17, 1985, the last day the track was in operation. According to Scott, the track had been used for landing planes smuggling drugs. The authorities found out the week before the Winternationals were scheduled. They attempted to cancel the race, but the local businesses were able to convince the authorities that the loss of revenue would be too great so the races went on. Once the Winternationals were over, Tucson Dragway was closed for good.

Tucson Dragway taken at the finish line, looking north towards the Catalina Mts.

Tucson Dragway taken in the pits looking East towards the Rincon Mts.

CB Radio West Fiat

Larry Smith's Chevy Vega

Ed "The Outlaw" Jones wheelstander, Jolly Rancher Stagecoach

Jolly Rancher Candyland Stage Hauler

Desert Rat Funny Car

Diesel Louie, another wheelstander

Team Zoo Corvette Funny Car

Challenger I Jet Dragster

Rail Dragster being towed to starting line.

Late model Vega & Modified coupe

Nova and Service Center 65 Chevelle Wagon

Chevy Nova and Pinto with a big block Chevy

Funny Car Warming up tires

ADRA Winternationals, Santana (?) Funny Car backing up to stage.

We hope these pics brought back some happy memories for you Tucson racers.

Thanks, Scott, for permission to pubish your photographs.

Donnie Anderson sent this picture of the '283FI 1957 Chevy wagon that he raced at Tucson Dragway from 1970-76. Best Time of 12.20 was at Fremont, Calif. in the Super Stock Division. . Note the automatic tire watering system.

Pennypincher, circa 1974, courtesy of Shelby Breckenridge who has followed in her father's footsteps with her involvement in Tucson drag racing. Check out her website.

More Tucson Drag Racing History, courtesy of Jay Moody

Donnie Anderson ran this A/ED out of Tucson around 1980. Power was a 489 Chevy, and it was very competitive nationally.

Fisher & Greth campaigned the famous Speed Sport Roadsters. Lyle Fisher was one of the early providers of wire front wheels, and the car painted on the sign is a little-known front-motor car that was wrecked in Missouri. This is painted on top of one of the Tucson Timing Assn. signs promoting the races at Tucson's Air Force base in the 50s!

Tucson Timing Association Sign

1950s era trophy, from the Tucson Timing Association, Schaut Photo.

Tucson Dragway trophys, mid-1960s, won by Don Green, AA/FA "Rat Trap", photo courtesy of Keith Stribling.

The following photographs are from the Doug Wachter collection. Here are Doug's recollection about Drag Racing at Davis Monthan AFB.

Just out of high school, we would get as many guys as possible into a trunk and go through a gate into Davis Monthan Air Force Base to an old runway. No lights, just a flagman. I do not remember who was running the show or who received to admittance fee? I remember seeing Donny Toyia (Dons Hot Rod Shop, Tucson) run his Henry J, Fisher/Greth's Speed Sport (Old Noisy), a new XKE, and Larry Long's '49 Oldsmobile. We would go quite often, but this is all I remember.

Larry Long and his 34 Ford

Doug making another pass in his '35 Ford Pick Up

The '38 Chevy Doug bought from Mike Terrell

c)2009 Jim & Nancy Schaut. Our mission is to preserve the rich history of automobile racing in the American West. We have done our best to credit the proper people for information contained on this site. It is sometimes impossible to find the original source. We welcome your comments & corrections. If you would like to submit items to the site, please send them to Nancy.