Flashback Friday: The Houston International Raceway

Image credit: Houston International Raceway Memories on Facebook

As the ADRL heads to the Lone Star State this weekend for the LenMar World Finals in Dallas, we take the opportunity on this Flashback Friday to travel to one of the state’s many ghost tracks. Because as the state that’s long been home to the most active drag strips in the country, it’s only naturally that Texas has a large number of long gone tracks, as well.

Among those is the Houston International Raceway, which was built in the mid-1950’s and was considered one the nations premier drag strips during its time. Situated along I-45 and a member of a the NHRA’s Division 4, Houston International, known to regulars at the “Freeway Dragstrip” was considered a powerhouse of the early Modified Production racing during the 1970’s and 80’s. Modified Production races were held there on a regular basis, and it was said that if you could win at Houston International in the category, you could win anywhere.

Many of the biggest hitters in the sport visited Houston International during it’s prime for match races, Winston World Championship Series races, and other events, including “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Warren Johnson, Lee Shepard, Marvin Graham, Gary Beck, and a host of others.