A driver warms up his tires before a race at the I-22 Motorsports drag strip on Thursday. The track is hosting a July the Fourth blowout on Saturday. (Photo by Ben Hamilton)
Then look no further than the I-22 Motorsports Park Racing Facility.
The I-22 Motorsports Park is holding a Fourth of July Blowout Saturday night.
The event will feature all the drag strip racing any fan can handle and will also have a fireworks show that part owner Scott Tucker promises will be second to none.
“We will have as big a fireworks show that there is in Walker County,” proudly stated Tucker. “You can bet on that. Last year we had a huge crowd and expect a bigger one this year. We see a lot of good racing. Around here, people love the Promods.”
The Fast 8 Promods, boasting speeds of 160-200 miles per hour, headline the four racing divisions, which also include the pro, footbrake and the junior dragsters.
Anyone is welcome to attend or race. ATV’s are allowed to race only on Thursday’s during the test-and-tune period before Saturday races.
Admission to Saturday’s event is $15 and anyone who brings a flyer, which is inserted in today’s edition of the Daily Mountain Eagle, will receive a $5 discount. Gates open at 3 p.m., open time trials at 4 p.m., first round qualifying at 6 p.m. and the fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Bill Clanton, better known as “Big Money” will be racing Saturday night.
Racing promoter and photographer Brandon Brown, who stays right alongside the cars, says there isn’t many places he’d rather be.
“Man, when those Promods go by, your whole body rumbles,” Brown said. “This place is awesome.”
The 1/8th of a mile drag racing facility was completed in 2009 with a solid concrete racing surface that is 2,300 feet long and 55 feet wide.
It’s located one mile from the I-22/Corridor X at Exit 39.
The I-22 Motorsports Park is sponsored by House of Discount Tires and Backyard Pro’s. The fireworks show is provided by I-22 Motorsports Park, Yampertown Steakhouse and Diamond Construction. For more information concerning I-22 Motorsports Park, visit www.i-22motorsports.com.
Owners’ Bio
William “Bill” Haley is a local business man and owner of Haley Brothers Coal, Inc. The company has been in business for 31 years. Drag racing has been a part of his life for many years also. In 2008, Haley was approached by Tucker with an idea to build a drag strip. With earth moving equipment available and a tract of land from his coal mining business, Haley, Tucker and Gregg Burgess decided this would be the perfect opportunity to create a business to benefit the community. Haley felt the location of the park was beautiful and a perfect place for families to spend time together. Haley and his family are happy with this part of their lives and hope to see the park grow each year. Haley and his wife Doris have three children, Jennifer Haley, Tim and his wife Jill, and Zach and his wife Hayly. They also have four grandchildren, Brianna, Brooke, Will and Anna.
Scott Tucker is the owner of Scott’s Auto Salvage, Inc., which has been in business for 18 years. Tucker is also a 28 year veteran of the automobile industry. Scott, Burgess and Haley have been friends for many years. Three years ago the trio began dreaming of building a motorsports park in their community. The group began planning in earnest in January of 2008. There have been countless hours of planning and working since then. There is nothing at the facility that hasn’t built or moved by one or all of the three men. Tucker attributes the successful build of the facility to the partnership and the efforts of many close friends who have stepped in to help. Tucker and his wife Meloney have two children, Chelle and Wesley.
Gregg Burgess is a native of Winfield. He and his family own Burgess Transmission and have been in business 15 years. He has been a serious drag racer for the past 20 years with his family both working and racing together. Burgess’ parents, Jerry and Carol Burgess, have been major supporters and have participated in the dream of building I-22 Motorsports Park. Burgess’ children are also involved in racing. He has two sons, Kyle and Hunter and a daughter, Courtney.