View source for Atlanta Dragway

{{Short description|Racing facility in Banks County, Georgia}}
{{Infobox motorsport venue
|Name          = Atlanta Dragway
|Location      = [[Banks County, Georgia|Banks County]], near [[Commerce, Georgia]], [[United States]]
|Coordinates   = {{coord|34|15|50.06|N|83|28|21.93|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|Address       = 500 E. Ridgeway Road 
|Owner         = National Hot Rod Association
|Opened        = 1976
|Closed        = 2021
|Image         = AtlantaDragway2001.jpg
|Events        = '''[[NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series]]'''<br />''NHRA Southern Nationals'' (1981–2021)
|Layout1       = Drag Strip
|miles_first   = true
|Length_km     = .402
|Length_mi     = .25
|Surface       = Asphalt
|Turns         = 
}}

'''Atlanta Dragway''' was a [[drag racing]] facility located in [[Banks County, Georgia]], just north of [[Commerce, Georgia]].  From 1981 until its closure after the 2021 season, it hosted the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series, Southern Nationals.

==History==
Atlanta Dragway was built in 1975 by Gene Bennett and originally had been graded out for an airport. The original airport tower served as the original timing tower, and the track direction was the same as the airport without asphalt, just Georgia red clay. In 1980, the track was sold to Norman Pearah and became an NHRA-sanctioned track. Back then, the track was only opened twice a year for major events.

The track was purchased in 1987 by Pro Stock driver Gary Brown and partners J.D. Stevens and Rudy Bowen. The track underwent major reconstruction to put in new aluminum grandstand seating, permanent restrooms and rebuilt concession buildings. In 1989, the thirteen-year-old track was resurfaced with a concrete launching pad and a new timing system. In addition to the track modification, a reconditioned VIP tower complete with a timing deck, press center and corporate suites was built in 1990.

NHRA purchased the track in 1993. They resurfaced the track and added an updated timing system in 1999.  The tower restrooms were remodeled and all concession, tower and ticket buildings were rewired. In 2003, the track's FM radio and public address system were both upgraded. In 2008 NHRA history was made at the track when [[Ashley Force Hood]] became the first female driver to win a Funny Car event. NHRA has announced intentions to sell the property after the 2021 meet.<ref>[https://www.hagerty.com/media/news/after-40-years-atlanta-dragway-will-say-goodbye-to-nhra-racing-in-2021-possibly-closing-its-doors/ After 40 years, Atlanta Dragway will say goodbye to NHRA racing in 2021, possibly closing its doors] - Phillip Thomas, Hagerty, 23 March 2021</ref>

NHRA announced that the "2021 NHRA Southern Nationals would be the final major NHRA national event to be held at historic Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, GA."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-06|title=Lucas Oil NHRA Southern Nationals*|url=https://www.nhra.com/schedule/2021/nhra-camping-world-drag-racing-series/lucas-oil-nhra-southern-nationals|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210520230918/https://www.nhra.com/schedule/2021/nhra-camping-world-drag-racing-series/lucas-oil-nhra-southern-nationals|archive-date=2021-05-20|access-date=2021-05-20|website=NHRA|language=en}}</ref>

==Winners==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Top Fuel !! Funny Car !! Pro Stock
|-
| 1990 || [[Lori Johns]] || Ed McCulloch || Larry Morgan
|-
| 1991 || Kenny Bernstein || Del Worsham || Bob Glidden
|-
| 1992 || Don Prudhomme || [[John Force]] || Don Beverley
|-
| 1993 || Eddie Hill || John Force || Warren Johnson
|-
| 1994 || Connie Kalitta || John Force || "Scott Geoffrion"
|-
| 1995 || Cory McClenathan || John Force || Mark Osborne
|-
| 1996 || Larry Dixon || Tony Pedregon || Kurt Johnson
|-
| 1997 || Kenny Bernstein || Randy Anderson || Jim Yates
|-
| 1998 || Cory McClenathan || Cruz Pedregon || Mark Osborne
|-
| 1999 || Gary Scelzi || John Force || Warren Johnson
|-
| 2000 || Gary Scelzi || John Force || Jeg Coughlin
|-
| 2001 || Mike Dunn || Frank Pedregon || Jim Yates
|-
| 2002 || [[Larry Dixon (drag racer)|Larry Dixon]] || Whit Bazemore || Allen Johnson
|-
| 2003 || Larry Dixon || Tony Pedregon || Warren Johnson
|-
| 2004 || Cory McClenathan || Whit Bazemore || Greg Anderson
|-
| 2005 || Doug Kalitta || John Force || Greg Anderson
|-
| 2006 || Doug Kalitta || Tony Pedregon || Dave Connolly
|-
| 2007 || [[Brandon Bernstein]] || Robert Hight || Greg Anderson
|-
| 2008 || Antron Brown || Ashley Force || Mike Edwards
|-
| 2009 || Morgan Lucas || Jack Beckman || Mike Edwards
|-
| 2010 || Larry Dixon || Robert Hight || Jeg Coughlin
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*{{Official website|www.atlantadragway.com}}

{{NHRA dragstrips}}

[[Category:Buildings and structures in Banks County, Georgia]]
[[Category:NHRA Division 2 drag racing venues]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Banks County, Georgia]]
[[Category:1975 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Sports venues completed in 1975]]
[[Category:Motorsport venues in the United States]]
[[Category:Drag racing venues]]
[[Category:Sports venues in Georgia (U.S. state)]]
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