Ending months of speculation following what was believed to have been the final running of the NHRA Arizona Nationals at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park in March, Radford Racing School officials announced today they have assumed operation of the multi-use venue outside of Phoenix and will oversee its continued use into the forseeable future. Representatives of the school nor NHRA officials spoke of the future of the Arizona Nationals or NHRA-sanctioned drag racing activities outside of the school’s drag racing programs.

Wild Horse Pass, built more than four decades ago and a part of the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series tour since 1985, has been at the center of numerous reporting closures — both rumor and official — first to make way for a 3,300-acre development project, and later to accommodate a proposed highway project through the area. The 2023 Arizona Nationals was announced more than a year ago to be the track’s final national event, but by the time the date arrived, an aura of hope surrounded the weekend’s festivities.

Said the school in its official statement: “Radford Racing School, the world’s premier driving and racing school, announced today that it has expanded its business in Chandler, Ariz., by collaborating with the Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park on the Gila River Indian Reservation to keep the 10-turn, 1.25-mile road course; the 11-turn, 1.1-mile road course with 3/8-mile straightaway; and the ¼-mile NHRA- sanctioned drag strip open and available to Radford students. Radford Racing School’s existing tracks include the recently upgraded 15-turn, 1.6-mile main track, designed by champion racer Bob Bondurant in 1990, and a .75-mile kart track and 10-acre skills pad.”

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

“Off-track, a newly renovated guest center, track-side student lounge, gift shop, and event center complete the Radford Racing School experience, which is shared by thousands of drivers from around the world each year. Now that all tracks will remain open, Radford has the capacity to accommodate more students and classes, offer new automotive experiences, and the ability to bring major automotive- and motorsports- related events to the region. With this news, Radford Racing School is now the largest driving and racing school in the world, spanning more than 447 acres.”

Kim Wolfkill, a spokesperson for the Radford Racing School, tells DRAGZINE that the agreement expands the scope of its former lease with the the property owners, the Gila River Indian Community. Previously, the school utilized other parts of the property for its program, and use of the dragstrip went outside of their lease agreement; this new arrangement now allows them to make regular use of the dragstrip for drag racing courses.

Photo courtesy NHRA/National Dragster

“We’re jazzed about it, because now we have greater, easier access to the dragstrip. But we haven’t purchased anything, we’re just working closely with the Wild Horse Pass people to schedule things for our school. There’s renewed commitment from both sides to keep things going here at the track. We have a business to run, but we also understand how important the dragstrip is to the community, and selfishly, we’re offering drag racing courses, so we want to make sure everyone benefits.”

Wolfkill says decisions regarding the future of the Arizona Nationals and the running of other public racing events will lie with the Gila River Indian Community. Radford officials are continuing discussions with the community on how the future uses of the dragstrip beyond the school will unfold. Wolkfkill was not at liberty to disclose the terms of its agreement — terms which would indicate how long the community is presently committed to keeping the track alive.