Tulsa Drag Racing Track Closes Due To Struggling Economy

Emily Baucum, News on 6

TULSA, Oklahoma -- The struggling economy's hitting the brakes on one of Green Country's most popular sports. Drag racing fans will have to find another spot as Tulsa Raceway Park closes this weekend.

From the spinning wheels to the burning rubber, when they feel the need for speed, these racing fans know where to put the pedal to the metal.

"It's exciting. You never know what's going to happen," racing fan Arminda Darbenstott said.

The numbers separate winner from losers. But instead of time and speed, it's dollars and cents that forced owner Dan Guterman to sell the track.

"Drag races are closed four-and-a-half months a year so you're really relying on hitting home runs every weekend you're open," Guterman said.

The high price of fuel is keeping racers at home.

"It's expensive. We've got an hour drive just to get here, almost," racing fan Shawn Andrews said.

And our brutally hot summer left the grandstand empty.

"To run an event where you have 20 cars and maybe 100 spectators, there's just no possible way you can come out even on something like that," Guterman said.

So the track is shutting down, putting the brakes on its 46-year history.

"The majors of drag racing have all raced here. Some of them call this track home," Guterman said.

"It's the last day and everyone wants to be out here and support it since it's not going to be here anymore. Have one last fun time at the track," racing fan Caleb Morgan said.

But will the track stay silent for long?

The new owners hope to lease it out, so it's possible we could still hear the screeching of tires out here for years to come.

10/5/2011 Related Story: Tulsa Drag Racing Track To Close