History "Anchorage Dragway" Information Request

Hello everyone, my name is Robert Larson, looking for assistance and information regarding ANCHORAGE DRAGWAY located at Anchorage, Alaska that originally opened as the first major dragway in Alaska on July 3, 1965. I am seeking information and pictures regarding when it closed, why it closed, interesting stories about the track, especially people who raced there, and other interesting facts and stories. Looking for old posters, advertising, or memorabilia of ANY 1960's Drag Racing events in Alaska including Polar Raceway, Tannacross Drags, and Anchorage Dragways. Thank You for looking- Robert (218) 251-6928 cell

 

DragStripList.Com. It is still an active airport for residents living around the airport. I'm Alaska born myself, Elmendorf AFB, Anchorage, Alaska, 1951; yeah, I'm getting old. I am Butch/56sedandelivery.

 

Thank You Butch, for the information on DragStripList.com- Great site for looking up current and past drag racing track history in every state. However, their historical information is very limited on the Anchorage Dragway- about all we know is the Grand Opening date of July 3rd 1965 and other info on their July 3rd 1965 advertisement in the Anchorage Daily Times.

 

I was in the Army stationed at Ft Richardson just outside Anchorage from August 1969 to March of 1971 and I don't believe it was in operation then

 

Lived there from 62-67. Went to Auora elementary on base. My dad knew a guy named Doyle Ethridge who probably raced there. Great place to live.

 

That drag strip was only in use for a couple of years. It is out in the Ocean View subdivision area. It became a private airstrip for that community & from what I know is still there in use today. It closed down after Polar Raceway opened out in the Palmer area around the same time & became more popular.

 

That air strip is still in use by private pilots on that strip in Ocean View subdivision . I have lived in South Anchorage since 1980 and this airstrip was in use since the 60's
Vic

 

Actually I looked at the map again. That is the now OMalley airstrip. Had my plane there in 1978. It is still a active small air strip.
Vic

 

Thank You for your recent and upcoming responses. Here is a May 28th, 1961 Tannacross Drag Races advertisement for a race close to Fairbanks, Alaska. ANYONE with information regarding Tannacross, Anchorage Dragway, Polar Drags, or any other Alaska Drag races during the 1960's please tell us your story or historical information. Thank You for looking- Robert

 

These were taken at Tannacross bout 1963.

 

Nice pictures and Thank You to "akoutlaw" from Eagle River, Alaska for posting Tannacross vintage photos. Great history. Here is a photo of a 1961 Tannacross race advertisement poster posted as a full image-

 

Here is the Anchorage Dragway opening week July 3rd, 4th, 5th, 1965 advertisement in the July 3rd 1965 Alaska Anchorage Daily Times - shown as a Full Pic-

 

As a kid in the 60's, I remember seeing photos in Hot Rod magazine of the track, it still had snow on the side of the strip, that's some dedicated racing!

 

Here is a Polar Dragway July 2nd 1965 advertisement from the Anchorage Daily Times. Interesting to see the intense competition between Polar Dragway and Anchorage Dragway. Polar Dragway gave money to racers for showing up while both dragways had competing races on July 4th weekend. It did not last long for Anchorage Dragway because they closed a few years later. I heard people complained about cars driving through residential neighborhoods to get to the dragway. It would be nice to know the last race day date when Anchorage Dragway closed and any other interesting advertisements, race results and memorabilia of both dragways. Robert 218-251-6928 cell Robert 218-251-6928 cell