Page 11 - 2019 NM Spring
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long to really enjoy their desire near Maricopa Highway, southwest of “crowd control”. But soon
to race on a regular basis. Given of Bakersfield. With the help of a thereafter, a group of local farmers
their local reputation as “outlaws” friend that eventually became the appeared before the Board of
and “a bunch of hot rodders”, they Mayor of Bakersfield, the club was County Supervisors and said the
knew that convincing others that able to secure the land. The first land was too fertile for such a use,
a drag strip was a great idea might official race was held in 1951 - drag and needed to be plowed to grow
be a difficult task. One of the club racing had found a home in Kern more crops, the sale of which would
members was overheard to say, County, California. benefit the county as a whole. As
“we were just two degrees above a result, in 1953 The Smokers, Inc.
the local motorcycle groups”. With Success for the strip came were once again looking for land to
the desire to have a location near quickly. In fact, at the first official build a dragstrip.
Bakersfield, the club began to look event, the site was overwhelmed
at area land that was owned by the with attendees and participants, Just one year later, the Smokers
Kern County Land Company. They and the California Highway found what they believed to be the
found a location that was fairly Patrol had to make an appearance ideal site. The land was located
remote and in an uninhabited area to direct traffic and offer a bit in an uninhabited area, with good
access from both Highway 99
and Highway 65. The land was
approximately 20 minutes due
north of Bakersfield. The Smokers
made a deal with the Kern County
Director of Airports to lease a
portion of the old abandoned
airfield that included one of the two
north-south runways. Only the
east runway remained in use at that
time, and to this day still serves
civilian aircraft that are often seen
as they approach or depart on the
runway east of the dragstrip.
Between 1954 and 1958, the
Smokers held numerous events
at the track. The California car
culture was ripe for drag racing,
and the crowds continued to swell.
With money in the bank account,
the club decided to invite a guy
from Florida that they had been
hearing a lot about to come and
race at the facility in their first
“U.S. Fuel & Gas Championships”.
Jim Black has the final Little-known nationally, Don
say-so when it comes to Garlits accepted the challenge and
Tech Inspection. Up and
coming fuel funny car agreed to appear at the track in
pilot Wes Morris of Boise, early March of 1959. While the
ID is pleased to see Jack club didn’t know what to expect at
Wright’s flopper passed
with flying colors. the event, they could never have
Continued on page 13
Spring 2019 Nitro Madness Magazine 11
