mikeb
06-24-2002, 02:49 PM
Here:
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/sports/columnists/len_hayward/3532086.htm
New-look Denton Dragway offers familiar management
BY STAFF WRITER LEN HAYWARD
It's been nearly four months since Larry Croft resigned as manager at Texas Raceway in Kennedale after more than 30 years as an employee and competitor at the legendary dragstrip.
It has not taken him and his family long to let North Texas drag racers know they are back in the business.
Croft left Texas Raceway shortly after new owner Bill Hielscher took control, and moved to a similar position at the revamped Denton Dragway. Dallas businessman Jack Ciarletta, who attempted to buy Texas Raceway earlier this year, purchased the Denton track in April.
Saturday night Croft was doing the same thing he did for so many years at Kennedale, lining up cars and track maintenance. But the difference was it wasn't in Kennedale.
The competitor count for the first NHRA Summitt ET Bracket Series race at Denton was not quite what Croft was accustomed to for so many years at Texas Raceway. The feeling in the pit area, though, was the track might have started a good thing, and many were racing there because of Croft and his family.
Some racers said they were not pleased with some of the changes made at Texas Raceway over the past few months, and followed Croft to Denton.
"There's a family atmosphere," said Mark Powers of Lakeside, who was competing in the Top Eliminator class Saturday. "It's the dedication, and he [Croft] knows what he wants to do. He's a racer and he understands, and he runs an efficient program."
If the track's weekly bracket-racing program grows, it might cut into Texas Raceway's competitor counts, but for now the focus is on building a weekly drag-racing program from the ground up.
More than $1 million in improvements have been made to a facility that gained a bad reputation among area drag-racing enthusiasts. The changes include a new all-concrete racing surface and repaved pits. The track also became a member of the NHRA.
Croft said another 800 feet of concrete has to be laid, and the starting line will be moved back to give the racers a longer shutdown area. Also planned are a new scoring tower, a concession stand and a new timing and scoring system. Croft hopes to have the work done by Aug. 31.
Croft has aspirations of turning the track into one of the top eighth-mile facilities in the country. He might just be on his way.
"They've moved me a little north," Croft said. "But it's still fun."
http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/sports/columnists/len_hayward/3532086.htm
New-look Denton Dragway offers familiar management
BY STAFF WRITER LEN HAYWARD
It's been nearly four months since Larry Croft resigned as manager at Texas Raceway in Kennedale after more than 30 years as an employee and competitor at the legendary dragstrip.
It has not taken him and his family long to let North Texas drag racers know they are back in the business.
Croft left Texas Raceway shortly after new owner Bill Hielscher took control, and moved to a similar position at the revamped Denton Dragway. Dallas businessman Jack Ciarletta, who attempted to buy Texas Raceway earlier this year, purchased the Denton track in April.
Saturday night Croft was doing the same thing he did for so many years at Kennedale, lining up cars and track maintenance. But the difference was it wasn't in Kennedale.
The competitor count for the first NHRA Summitt ET Bracket Series race at Denton was not quite what Croft was accustomed to for so many years at Texas Raceway. The feeling in the pit area, though, was the track might have started a good thing, and many were racing there because of Croft and his family.
Some racers said they were not pleased with some of the changes made at Texas Raceway over the past few months, and followed Croft to Denton.
"There's a family atmosphere," said Mark Powers of Lakeside, who was competing in the Top Eliminator class Saturday. "It's the dedication, and he [Croft] knows what he wants to do. He's a racer and he understands, and he runs an efficient program."
If the track's weekly bracket-racing program grows, it might cut into Texas Raceway's competitor counts, but for now the focus is on building a weekly drag-racing program from the ground up.
More than $1 million in improvements have been made to a facility that gained a bad reputation among area drag-racing enthusiasts. The changes include a new all-concrete racing surface and repaved pits. The track also became a member of the NHRA.
Croft said another 800 feet of concrete has to be laid, and the starting line will be moved back to give the racers a longer shutdown area. Also planned are a new scoring tower, a concession stand and a new timing and scoring system. Croft hopes to have the work done by Aug. 31.
Croft has aspirations of turning the track into one of the top eighth-mile facilities in the country. He might just be on his way.
"They've moved me a little north," Croft said. "But it's still fun."