Lions Drag Strip-December 2nd (1 Viewer)

[TopFuel@Lions]

Today marks 52 years since the greatest weekly drag strip of all time held it's last great race, the "Last Drag Race." This was the last of 161 visits to this awesome track located at 223rd & Alameda the dad and I attended. This date to this day stings like hell still to this day. Dad took me when he thought I was ready in 1964 but he had been going since opening day of October 1955. There was nothing that matched the location, the ocean air, the closeness to the track, the cozy confines of the pits and the great chili dogs and tamales. We sat in the first grandstand next to the right lane in our same seats for 161 trips to this special place. Pappy on his Honda, Bernie Mather calling the shows, Larry Sutton and Weed. Push starts, roller starters and the biggest names in the sport all visited this Wilmington speed palace. I have been to 159 racetracks and now 2036 races but nothing matches Lions. As my late wife would tell me on this date before she passed of cancer in 2022, today is Lions day...it sure is!


Late Model Mark
Talladega Short Track Announcer
(Or TopFuel@LIons)

 

[65 Goatboy]

Great piece of history, thanks for sharing.

 

[none]

Mark,
I appreciate that you loved the racetrack of your youth. I did as well.

But are you claiming that 6.20 230 MPH cars (Isn't that about what they ran back then?) were more exciting than what we have now? Or that you have been to 2036 races since then and been disappointed every time?

Just asking,
Alan

 

[DG]

I started going regularly in the fall of 1961, but didn't go to the last race on purpose.

We could hear the fuelers from my partner, Bill Butters, house, as we worked on our racecars over the years.

I started as a "Tire Wiper / Clutch Can Cleaner" on his B/Gas Dragster and later joined Bill as a full partner when we switched to Top Fuel in 1962.

I think the most enjoyable racing was when we made our TF'er a dual class car and ran with the Fuel Coupes and Roaster gang for a while! Dixon Sr. Perregon Sr. Heidelberg, Heiders, and several others. Real hard core racers and great guys!

I am too dumb to quit and still have two partners in our Moeller-Whitby-Gerard Top Dragster and have new friends there too, but it is just not the same as racing every Saturday at Lions and occasional on Sunday at The Pond!

 

[sutton]

Mark,
I appreciate that you loved the racetrack of your youth. I did as well.

But are you claiming that 6.20 230 MPH cars (Isn't that about what they ran back then?) were more exciting than what we have now? Or that you have been to 2036 races since then and been disappointed every time?

Just asking,
Alan

Yes my good friend they were more exciting at Lions. we packed the place almost every week end with spectors and race cars from Z stock too fuel cars and would complete the unbelievable racing in one day. The fuel cars looked like real cars of the day with names on them that the spectators could relate to. It was true racing for cars that were tuned by crew chiefs that were allowed to make changes to the race cars that were not ruled by spects but by their brains and not by just adjusting timers. Yes Alan I like watching the racing today but it is not even close to the racing in all classes that ran during the days of Lions. Sorry you missed those days or you would better understand where I am coming from.
Larry Sutton---Lions Starter
PS: people will be wearing Lions t-shirts for many years after I am gone.

 

[M Jones]

Yes my good friend they were more exciting at Lions. we packed the place almost every week end with spectors and race cars from Z stock too fuel cars and would complete the unbelievable racing in one day. The fuel cars looked at be like real cars of the day with names on them that the spectators could relate to. It was true racing for cars that were tuned by crew chiefs that were allowed to make changes to the race cars that were not ruled by spects but by their brains and not by just adjusting timers. Yes Alan I like watching the racing today but it is not even close to the racing in all classes that ran during the days of Lions. Sorry you missed those days or you would better understand where I am coming from.
Larry Sutton---Lions Starter
PS: people will be wearing Lions t-shirts for many years after I am gone.

Well said Larry, maybe that will help younger fans understand what us old racers miss

 

[LAZYC]

Today marks 52 years since the greatest weekly drag strip of all time held it's last great race, the "Last Drag Race." This was the last of 161 visits to this awesome track located at 223rd & Alameda the dad and I attended. This date to this day stings like hell still to this day. Dad took me when he thought I was ready in 1964 but he had been going since opening day of October 1955. There was nothing that matched the location, the ocean air, the closeness to the track, the cozy confines of the pits and the great chili dogs and tamales. We sat in the first grandstand next to the right lane in our same seats for 161 trips to this special place. Pappy on his Honda, Bernie Mather calling the shows, Larry Sutton and Weed. Push starts, roller starters and the biggest names in the sport all visited this Wilmington speed palace. I have been to 159 racetracks and now 2036 races but nothing matches Lions. As my late wife would tell me on this date before she passed of cancer in 2022, today is Lions day...it sure is!


Late Model Mark
Talladega Short Track Announcer
(Or TopFuel@LIons)

Some memories of Lions from 1971, I got my F/C lic at Lions in July 1971.

 

[Cliff]

I raced 2 cars at Lions. A 1966 Ford Falcon, ran low 20's (argh) and later a 1971 Ford Pinto. Just racing there is a great memory. I think I went to Lions first in 1963, remember Snake winning Top Fuel with the G B P car. Smoking the tires was something special then. After slipper clutches came in, cars would do a burn out and be pushed back to the starting line. Could see the flames coming out of the headers at night. Loved night racing best. Watched the fuelers go down the track, and about half way down, all you could see was the flames from the exhausts. That is something I miss. One thing I loved was how many AA/FD there were. Easy to get a 32 car field. Today, I almost get tired of watching the same group run. Hardly ever a new face. Things change I guess.

 

[M Jones]

I raced 2 cars at Lions. A 1966 Ford Falcon, ran low 20's (argh) and later a 1971 Ford Pinto. Just racing there is a great memory. I think I went to Lions first in 1963, remember Snake winning Top Fuel with the G B P car. Smoking the tires was something special then. After slipper clutches came in, cars would do a burn out and be pushed back to the starting line. Could see the flames coming out of the headers at night. Loved night racing best. Watched the fuelers go down the track, and about half way down, all you could see was the flames from the exhausts. That is something I miss. One thing I loved was how many AA/FD there were. Easy to get a 32 car field. Today, I almost get tired of watching the same group run. Hardly ever a new face. Things change I guess.

Unfortunately Cliff they do, that’s why I personally like to attend the nostalgia when ever I can

 

[Randy]

Yes my good friend they were more exciting at Lions. we packed the place almost every week end with spectors and race cars from Z stock too fuel cars and would complete the unbelievable racing in one day. The fuel cars looked like real cars of the day with names on them that the spectators could relate to. It was true racing for cars that were tuned by crew chiefs that were allowed to make changes to the race cars that were not ruled by spects but by their brains and not by just adjusting timers. Yes Alan I like watching the racing today but it is not even close to the racing in all classes that ran during the days of Lions. Sorry you missed those days or you would better understand where I am coming from.
Larry Sutton---Lions Starter
PS: people will be wearing Lions t-shirts for many years after I am gone.

Hey Larry, where are you going?

It's amazing to me that the era you are speaking of spawned the Garlits, Kalittas, Prudhommes, Forces, Dunns, Schumachers, and the rest of the old guys who had or still have a heavy influence on where racing is today. Many are still involved.

When they closed my home track, OCIR, preceded by Lions and Irwindale, I tried to continue but finally sold off all my stuff. Didn't last long, because 6 years later I ordered my first TA/FC from another guy ahead of his time, Steve Plueger.

 

[sutton]

Hey Larry, where are you going?

It's amazing to me that the era you are speaking of spawned the Garlits, Kalittas, Prudhommes, Forces, Dunns, Schumachers, and the rest of the old guys who had or still have a heavy influence on where racing is today. Many are still involved.

When they closed my home track, OCIR, preceded by Lions and Irwindale, I tried to continue but finally sold off all my stuff. Didn't last long, because 6 years later I ordered my first TA/FC from another guy ahead of his time, Steve Plueger.

Randy
"Where am i going" My days of going far places are over as I stated on the post I made on my last CHRR. I am here in Cedar city ut. doing as much as possible to keep busy. I will stay here on Mater and try to give as much input as the group wishes. Life has been good to me and I hope I have a few more years to contribute. the sad part is we have lost so many of our friends lately. and I am not sure what my USE BY DATE is.
Larry Sutton---

 

[none]

I appreciate the comments, I loved my home track (The old Tucson Dragway) as well.

I have very fond memories of the Fuel Altered Nationals, the AHRA and later ADRA Winter Nationals, Funny Cars with flames licking out of the pipes while idling, TF cars being pushed back after the burnout, Pro Stock Small Blocks with Nitrous vs. Big Blocks without, Dry Hops, Fire Burnouts, Push starts up the track, Roller Starts with a 455 Buick (I think) doing the work. Don Garlits making the first 5 second run in Arizona and on and on.....

It was there I did my first water burnout, made my first runs, won my first trophy, and damn near my first track championship when I forgot to turn the Nitrous bottle on. It's also where they handed me the mic for the first time and little did I know I was starting my new career. I won Super Street at the 85 Winter Nationals which was the last race before the place closed. Orville Moe and Gerald Johns presented me the trophy.

I guess I'm just wired differently, I truly loved that place, and when I drive by or fly over (there's still enough of it left to identify) moments in time come back to me. But....

I have always believed that the "Good Old Days" start tomorrow, and as much as I loved the old place, I don't want to go back, I want to go forward. I have witnessed and my voice will forever be part of some amazing moments in Drag Racing history, both triumph and tragic. But my favorite race will always be the next one.

Thanks for stirring up so many good memories, I can't wait to make more....

Alan

 

[sutton]

I appreciate the comments, I loved my home track (The old Tucson Dragway) as well.

I have very fond memories of the Fuel Altered Nationals, the AHRA and later ADRA Winter Nationals, Funny Cars with flames licking out of the pipes while idling, TF cars being pushed back after the burnout, Pro Stock Small Blocks with Nitrous vs. Big Blocks without, Dry Hops, Fire Burnouts, Push starts up the track, Roller Starts with a 455 Buick (I think) doing the work. Don Garlits making the first 5 second run in Arizona and on and on.....

It was there I did my first water burnout, made my first runs, won my first trophy, and damn near my first track championship when I forgot to turn the Nitrous bottle on. It's also where they handed me the mic for the first time and little did I know I was starting my new career. I won Super Street at the 85 Winter Nationals which was the last race before the place closed. Orville Moe and Gerald Johns presented me the trophy.

I guess I'm just wired differently, I truly loved that place, and when I drive by or fly over (there's still enough of it left to identify) moments in time come back to me. But....

I have always believed that the "Good Old Days" start tomorrow, and as much as I loved the old place, I don't want to go back, I want to go forward. I have witnessed and my voice will forever be part of some amazing moments in Drag Racing history, both triumph and tragic. But my favorite race will always be the next one.

Thanks for stirring up so many good memories, I can't wait to make more....

Alan

ALL RIGHT guys we got Alan Reminiscing about his GOOD OLD DAYS, Alan fond memories are always good. No Alan we can't go back to those days, drag racing has advanced so much in safety,speed, etc. there is no way to return. So these are the good new days and we will remember all the days of your great announcing. (Remember kids the older you get the better you were.) :sutton2024AD
Larry Sutton---

 

[MichaelD]

I loved those return road bleachers. And standing behind the starting line.
One of the interesting things sitting in the bleachers was after Sutherland/Gilmore intoduced zoomy headers, by the time the dragsters reached the finish line, particles of rubber sprinkled down on the spectators!

 

[Cliff]

Yeah, the stands on the pit side of Lions were cool to sit & watch the cars run. Cars were literally right in front of you.

 

[Randy]

Randy
"Where am i going" My days of going far places are over as I stated on the post I made on my last CHRR. I am here in Cedar city ut. doing as much as possible to keep busy. I will stay here on Mater and try to give as much input as the group wishes. Life has been good to me and I hope I have a few more years to contribute. the sad part is we have lost so many of our friends lately. and I am not sure what my USE BY DATE is.
Larry Sutton---

Well, they aren't ready to shove you off the cliff yet. Keep the stories coming.

 

[Cliff]

Someone needs to make a movie. The Larry Sutton Story, or How I Survived Being A Starter.

 

[DG]

When we had finished the days racing at Lions and loading up the racecar on the trailer, we would drive down the pit road past the old tower and park against the fence.

We would stand in the back of out 56' Ford pickup [Had a 392 Chrysler and Torqueflight in it!] and, magically, a beer can with a shop towel wrapped around it would appear in our hands ()!

We never knew that these were the "Good OL' Days"!

 

[Ramjet]

When we had finished the days racing at Lions and loading up the racecar on the trailer, we would drive down the pit road past the old tower and park against the fence.

We would stand in the back of out 56' Ford pickup [Had a 392 Chrysler and Torqueflight in it!] and, magically, a beer can with a shop towel wrapped around it would appear in our hands ()!

We never knew that these were the "Good OL' Days"!

I doubt if you remember it, but there was a 32 car show at Long Beach and you got 2 hits to qualify. The line was almost out of the Pitts. I decided to change the weights (bolts) in the clutch and dropped one into the can. Problem was it was aluminum and how do you get it out. Being a fairly small guy (180) lbs I couldn't move the engine forward in line to get the bolt out. You Guys were 1 car behind me and when the line moved up I'm taking the Motor loose. one of your guys came over to see what was happening and I told him. He said "Not to worry" and went back and brought a bunch of people with him. Every one picked up the car turned it half way over and shook the bolt out. Never lost my place in line. People you didn't really know would help you until the Motor got loud. That kind of stuff is what helped make LIONS what it was. It was a different way of life but there probably has never been a greater Track than "The Beach".

 

[glofria]

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