This one goes out to our racers and racing fans in the northeastern corner of the US! Since the closing of the legendary Englishtown Raceway Park last year, New Jersey racers have been faced with the decision of which track to make their new home track. Allow me to make a quick argument for Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey.

Driving into Island Dragway on a Saturday morning is akin to driving right back in time to the 1960s. To be honest, the track itself hasn’t changed much since it opened way back when, lending to its air of nostalgia. However, the owners have been working nonstop to improve the overall experience. A new bridge has been installed in the pit area, and a newly-operational kitchen and restrooms are open for business.

Since the friendly competitive neighbor to its south closed its gates last season, Island has stepped up to welcome Englishtown’s regulars, and has been trying to incorporate events to quell the needs of the displaced racers, along with its normal crowd.

Island will be hosting its Blue Oval Nationals this coming weekend, on Sunday, July 14^th. The race, presented by Smith Motor Company, will feature ten car show classes along with four race classes. All Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury-bodied or powered vehicles will have a place in one class or another, and each race will be bracket style.

The classes are as follows: F1, a 9.99 and quicker or delay box class; F2, a class for 10.00-12.99 cars that allows trans brakes; F3, 13.00 and slower with trans brakes allowed; and Modern Ford for 10.00 and slower with DOT tires and mufflers.

Island Dragway has also decided to open the track to test and tune drivers in all makes and models, so bring your Chevy and Dodge friends, too (we guess).

Gates open at 10:00 a.m., and the weather is looking warm and sunny. Time trials begin at noon, and eliminations (as well as car show awards) should be going down around 3:00 p.m. You can find the event information here on Facebook. Hope to catch you out on this legendary track!