Date published: November 19, 2010
Gainesville Raceway
Gainesville
Track managers
Donald K. Robertson
(executive general)
Thomas A. Brown
(facilities and operations)
Track address
11211 N. County Road 225
Gainesville, FL 32609
Track phone
352-377-0046
Fax
352-371-4212
gainesvilleraceway@nhra.com
Website
www.gainesvilleraceway.com
Location
The track is on County Road 225, eight miles north of Gainesville Regional Airport. If traveling north on Interstate 75, use Exit 382, Williston Road (CR 331), and turn left (east). Williston Road will become Waldo Road (State Route 24) after it crosses U.S. 441. Continue on Waldo Road to Northeast 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and continue 3.5 miles to the track. From Interstate 75 north or south, use Exit 390, 39th Avenue (SR 222), go east to Waldo Road (SR 24), turn left, go to Northeast 53rd Avenue, turn left, then immediately right onto CR 225 and continue 3.5 miles to the track.
Classes
Combo, Electronic, Footbrake, True Street, Motorcycle, No Box, Jr. Dragster
Weekly schedule
The track is open from March until November. Wednesday nights are reserved for test 'n' tune sessions, and weekends are reserved for various race events.
Special events
* Tire Kingdom NHRA Nationals
* NHRA Unleashed
* NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event
* Aerospace Components King of the Track
* National DRAGSTER Challenge
* Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge
* Grassroots Motorsports Challenge
* Import Face-off
* BOPC event
* NHDRA event
Track history
Gainesville Raceway was established in 1969. The track held the inaugural Gatornationals in 1970 and continues to host the event every March. The track has been the site of many historic moments in drag racing, including the first-ever 260- and 270-mph runs. It is also the site where Kenny Bernstein broke the 300-mph barrier behind the wheel of his Budweiser King Top Fuel dragster in 1992.
Recent Improvements
In the last few years, the track added Skybox luxury suites above the pitside grandstands, newly renovated restroom facilities, and a multipurpose pavilion. The 301 Club Grandstand was relocated to the spectator-side starting-line area, along with a new walkway connecting the pit and spectator sides of the track. Track officials also replaced the control tower and press/media facilities.
Track tidbits
* racing for both quarter-mile and eighth-mile
* 167 feet above sea level
* concrete/asphalt track
* 677-foot concrete launchpad
* entry fees: vary per class
* purses: vary per class
* voted Alachua County Alliance of Economic Development Business of the Year (2002)
* voted NHRA Division 2 Track of the Year (2003)