The operators of Alabama’s Atmore Dragway announced on Monday morning the impending closure of the long-running facility at the close of the 2025 racing season.
Joey and Misty Barber, who have leased the Atmore Dragstrip since 2022, called the decision “heartbreaking.” Atmore opened in 1976 and has served racers in southern Alabama and the panhandle of Florida for decades.
“Over the last four years, we have poured our hearts, souls, and everything we had into this track. This place has been more than just a racetrack to us, it’s been our second home, Joey’s passion, and a huge part of our lives,” Misty wrote. “We’ve spent days, nights, and weekends here, working behind the scenes to make sure everything was just right even when people didn’t see the long hours and sacrifices that went into keeping the gates open.”
“This decision to close wasn’t made overnight. It comes after fighting through so many challenges from rising costs to constant negativity, criticism, and bashing from people who don’t understand what it really takes to run a track like this. It’s easy for folks to point fingers or complain, but very few truly know what goes on behind the scenes — the long hours, the financial strain, and the endless dedication it takes just to keep things going.
“We are walking away with our heads held high, because we know, without a doubt, that we gave it our all,” she continues. “We poured every bit of our hearts into making sure every racer, spectator, and fan who came through those gates felt welcome, appreciated, and loved. That was always our goal to make Atmore Dragstrip a home away from home.”
“What hurts the most is knowing how many people have made memories here, families, friends, racers, kids who grew up watching from the stands and feeling like we’ve let you down. Please know that was never our intention. Sometimes, no matter how much love and effort you give, the weight of it all just becomes too heavy to carry alone. Atmore Dragstrip may be closing, but the love, the memories, and the friendships we’ve built here will never fade. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we leave knowing we gave it everything we had.cFrom the bottom of our hearts thank you for four unforgettable years.”
The Barber’s invested heavily in the facility since taking over its operations, upgrading the timing system and other electrical systems, and remodeling the tower, the restrooms, and concession stands. They later added concrete guardrails and re-grounded the racing surface, transforming it into one of the south’s finest 1/8-mile drag strips.
Joey, who grew up racing at Atmore, tells Dragzine he and his wife invested everything they had in the track and were “100-percent self sufficient. “Every dime was out of our pockets; we cashed out CDs and I work full time and even that money helped pay for upgrades to the track.”
The Barber’s plan to complete their scheduled test and tune’s and racing events to finish out the 2025 campaign, before closing the gates. While it is believed the property owner may have other uses for the land in mind, the Barber’s say the future of the property is an unknown at this time.
We’ll have more on this developing story as it becomes available.
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