My home track, Keystone Raceway, has been sold, and chances are near 100% that it will not be a drag strip in 2027. It's been open since 1967, the year I was born, it's the first drag strip I went to as a 12 year old to see funny cars and fireworks, the first track I went down the 1/4 mile, the first track I got a payout at, the first (and at this point, only) track that I've won at, the first track I worked at - in the burnout box, ticket booth, computer operator, car caller/head of staging, first track I announced at. It's been my home for the 30 years I've had my 1969 Cutlass Supreme, and now my 1981 Cutlass. It was NHRA through 2001, IHRA through 2022, WDRA 2023-2025, back to NHRA this season. I'm lucky enough that I'll still be able to race, and I'll have friends from home and friends that I've made over the years at other tracks, but I also know that there are friends who will be done. I am sure to be an emotional mess on Sunday, in whatever round I bow out and the realization hits that was my last time down at Keystone.
If you're around the area, the weather looks awesome, come join us.
'81 Cutlass, KX05, Keystone Raceway Park Millerstown Pic-A-Part, Tarentum, PA Wholesale Transmission, New Kensington, PA Thinking of Nikki and Mark - forever 53
October 22, 2026, 03:15 AM
wvdragracer
See you Friday Chuck. Lost my Local track 27 years ago, and know the feeling. Havent seen some of those racers since then. Many will still travel. Hopefully something happens in northern WV to South western PA to fill the void.
October 22, 2026, 04:56 AM
Andamo
I've attended and helped on cars at Keystone since it first opened in 1967. I've never made a pass down the track and now I have regrets. The only time I missed going there was during the 'gas crisis' years. I'm old enough to remember seeing PID, Sunset, Skyline, Meander, Peterson, Fairmont, Nu-Be and Friendship/Freebird shut down also. I wish I could be there at Keystone for the last race and say goodbye to an old dear friend. Thanks to Chuck for the well written obit.This message has been edited. Last edited by: Andamo,
October 22, 2026, 12:40 PM
Doug
quote:
Originally posted by ChuckT: My home track, Keystone Raceway, has been sold, and chances are near 100% that it will not be a drag strip in 2027. It's been open since 1967, the year I was born, it's the first drag strip I went to as a 12 year old to see funny cars and fireworks, the first track I went down the 1/4 mile, the first track I got a payout at, the first (and at this point, only) track that I've won at, the first track I worked at - in the burnout box, ticket booth, computer operator, car caller/head of staging, first track I announced at. It's been my home for the 30 years I've had my 1969 Cutlass Supreme, and now my 1981 Cutlass. It was NHRA through 2001, IHRA through 2022, WDRA 2023-2025, back to NHRA this season. I'm lucky enough that I'll still be able to race, and I'll have friends from home and friends that I've made over the years at other tracks, but I also know that there are friends who will be done. I am sure to be an emotional mess on Sunday, in whatever round I bow out and the realization hits that was my last time down at Keystone.
If you're around the area, the weather looks awesome, come join us.
What an absolute shame if it does not remain a race track, I've had some great memories from there that I will cherish forever and I've met some of the greatest people including you Chuck. I haven't been there in a few years but I am hoping for the best for everyone there. I am in the same boat with not knowing if my local track, Empire Dragway will remain open for next year, hoping for the best there as well. What a crazy time we are currently experiencing, something I never would have thought I'd see.
October 22, 2026, 04:44 PM
ferndaleflyer
Sorry to hear that Chuck. You know I was the first one to ever double enter at that track. Maybe you can make it down to Bristol this year.