It’s a sad day for the automotive and drag racing world. Very recently, Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey announced it will no longer conduct quarter mile or eighth mile drag racing events effective immediately due to “a reorganization of the company’s business operations”. This affects the Mopar world in a pretty big way as the “Mopars @ E-Town” car show and drag race event is held at the raceway every year. While the car show will still probably take place, it’s the drag racing portion of the event that was the main attraction. Sadly, we have a feeling it will contribute to a downturn in attendance going forward.
Raceway Park will retain and use the stadium portion of the facility including the VIP hospitality tower and grandstands to continue most of its operations including the spring and fall auto swap meets, numerous car shows, both motocross racing and practice, kart racing, auto drifting, road course activities, mud runs, monster truck shows, musical concerts, festival events and more. However, there will be no drag racing what so ever; both NHRA and car show related racing. This was a huge shock as the track has played host to NHRA national events since 1968! This decision has forced the NHRA to relocate the already-scheduled 2018 Summer Nationals.
Old Bridge Township Raceway Park has been a family owned and operated business since its opening on July 4th, 1965. For the past 52 years, the Napp family has focused on presenting the very best in fast family fun that includes practically every form of motorsports. Its unclear what the exact reasoning is behind the sudden decision but it’s been reported that Raceway Park has long been the target of noise-related lawsuits from the track’s neighbors; despite its construction and operation predating any housing developments in the area.