Tulsa Raceway Park Sustains Minor Damage In Severe Storms

The Tulsa Raceway Park in Oklahoma sustained minor damage on Wednesday afternoon when a severe thunderstorm — with what a local meteorologist has confirmed was a downburst, not a tornado — swept through the area along Highway 169. The storm caused significant flash flooding in and around the track co-owned by Keith Haney and Todd Martin, also doing damage to the facility itself: the pit-side stage and various signs were seen leaning over, grandstand sign banners pulled from their anchors, trash barrels littered about the property, and a highway billboard promoting the upcoming NHRA Lucas Oil Series event peeled apart.

No injuries were reported at the track nor the surrounding area. Power was knocked out from downed power lines along 169, with the track expected to be returned to service late Thursday evening. Haney confirmed the track will re-open as scheduled with test-and-tune on Friday and the PMRA Bike Drags on Saturday and Sunday.

Located in the heart of Tornado Alley, destructive storms are an ever-present reality for Martin and Haney at Tulsa Raceway Park, which has been hit by twisters previously during its 53-year history.

Said the track staff in a prepared statement: “We would like to take a minute and say thank you to all that have called texted or message checking on us. Everyone is fine. We have had few people asking about helping clean up. We would gladly take and appreciate anyone that wanted to help tomorrow so we can get ready to race this weekend. We will be at track all day and evening. We will be ready for racing this weekend the best we can tell right now, just lot work to get done between now and then. Thanks everyone.”

About the author

Andrew Wolf

Andrew has been involved in motorsports from a very young age. Over the years, he has photographed several major auto racing events, sports, news journalism, portraiture, and everything in between. After working with the Power Automedia staff for some time on a freelance basis, Andrew joined the team in 2010.
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