By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Missed racing seasons, a few extra dollars, and a lot of stress: the one goal in reconstructing the SRCA Dragstrip west of Great Bend was to get it right. As construction progress continues, Great Bend City Administrator Logan Burns offered a glowing report during Monday’s city council meeting.
“I’m expecting the crash walls to be done this week,” he said. “Striping is complete, and the next step will be the grading on the north side of the track. Hank (Denning) is here, but they’re working on the timing install right now, and then texturing of the track itself, that is going to be starting March 14-19. I’m happy to announce that, after conversations with several experts, we have the flattest-poured track in the nation. I think that’s something we should be proud of and hang our hat on.”
Big plans are already in the works for the revamped dragstrip. On June 5, the city will welcome racers for a pre-party for Rocky Mountain Race Week. That Friday will include a special downtown event with racers lined up on Lakin Ave. between Main and Williams Streets. After races in Nebraska and Colorado, the Final Day Shootout is scheduled for June 12 at the SRCA Dragstrip.
On Sept. 24-26, the SRCA Dragstrip will host the National Hot Rod Association Summit Racing Equipment E.T. West Division Finals. Just two dragstrips in the nation were selected to host division final events, with the top racers from each division advancing to the finals in Las Vegas on Oct. 29-Nov. 1.