Page 74 - Nitro Madness Magazine Fall 2017
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Premiere”) wherein 4 national drag race” with only a dry and the surrounding pit area that are
records were established! He dusty fragrance in the air like that being created from authentic
hosted several other main events of a garden full of dead flowers; it photos. In addition, there will be
that made the year of 1972 Lions was destined to rise again when the an ample supply of show-cases
most successful in history. In elements of the past collided with displaying a number of bona fide
doing so he handed over a check the moment of today. track artifacts, battlefield trophies,
for $70,000 to the Lions charity factual memorabilia, record
fund. He also introduced motocross Thanks to Rick Lorenzen, Lions setting jackets, significant driver
races there that ran 2 to 3 nights is being immortalized and will live helmets and such. Not to be over
a week. This elevated community up to its legacy forever! Lorenzen shadowed, an expansive number
complaints and imposed an and his right-hand-man Rob of distinguished racecars will
intolerable posture on the Lions Marchese have set out to vulcanize spotlight the center stage.
Club and LAHC. Regrettably, this the atmosphere of Lions Associated
was the leverage they needed Drag Strip’s days of yore within The event beckoned a multitude
to swiftly enforce the 30-day the confines of his prodigious (way too many to mention) of
revocable permit, leaving Evans Price Transfer trucking enterprise. legendary Drag Racing pioneers,
and team no time to formulate a On June 24, 2017, Rick hosted a notorious drivers, well-seasoned
stay of execution. celebration event to tantalize the crew members, devoted spectators
Drag Racing community with a and a considerable sum of historic
After 6,270 days of operation, glimpse of what’s to come over the fire breathing, ground pounding,
Lions last day of existence was next year or so. Upon completion, period appropriate mechanical
Sunday, December 2, 1972. It has this massive studio will reverberate masterpieces!
been described as the “Woodstock” the “starting-line” circumference
of Drag Racing. From the drivers with the iconic “Lions” overpass, Throughout the day, random
pushing the pedal through the pine bleachers harmonized with static “fire-ups” defeated the
floor for a matter of seconds to the chain-link-fence, blast walls and sounds of the surrounding city.
spectators that lined up along the a hanging “3-bulb” Christmas As the sun meandered below the
chain-link fence, Lions captivated tree. The massive walls will be western horizon, each historic car
the spirit of everyone that entered embellished with full-sized Kenny was brought to life, nudged across
the property! As Gary “Mr. C” Youngblood murals that depict the parking lot by an era suitable
Cochran always said; “Lions was a
happening, not a drag race”!
Dropping the final curtain on
Lions, Steve Evans last day on the
job was a mirror image of Mickey
Thompson’s first day on the job. He
and his staff were not prepared for
the staggering number of racers
and fans that almost paralyzed this
historic funeral event.
Though the hostile darkness
of progressive doom took this
enchanted theater of tragedy
to another dimension, there’s
something to be said about the
awe-inspiring chemistry of Lions
Drag Strip. Laid bare at the “last
74 Nitro Madness Magazine Fall 2017