Atlanta Dragway

{{Short description|Racing facility in Banks County, Georgia}} {{Use American English|date=July 2025}} {{Infobox motorsport venue |name = Darana Dragway Commerce |location = 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 = International Hot Rod Association |opened = 1976 |closed = 2021 |image = AtlantaDragway2001.jpg |image_caption = Atlanta Dragway in 2001 |events = '''NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series'''<br />''NHRA Southern Nationals'' (1981–2021) |layout = Drag Strip |miles_first = true |length_km = .201 |length_mi = .125 |surface = Concrete |turns = }}

'''Darana Dragway Commerce''' is a proposed drag racing facility located in Banks County, Georgia, just north of Commerce, Georgia. Originally '''Atlanta Dragway''' from 1976 to its 2021 closure, the track hosted From 1981 until 2021, it hosted the NHRA Mission Foods 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>

The property was sold to Terra Commerce for demolition of the tower (which was completed) and grandstands, but not the drag strip itself. On February 4, 2025, Banks County Planning Commission rejected Terra Commerce's plans to redevelop the venue as a mixed-use unit of over 1,200 homes and 300,000 square feet of commercial development in a unanimous vote, 5-0, after considerable objections by local residents.<ref>{{cite web |title=Banks County Commission Meeting - February 4, 2025 |url=https://mccmeetings.blob.core.usgovcloudapi.net/banksctyga-pubu/MEET-Minutes-1ce298824db84f378a530515b6976ddc.pdf |website=Banks County |access-date=2025-11-20 |ref=BanksRejectsDragway}}</ref>

Later in 2025, many drag racing insiders told Bobby Bennett's Competition Plus site that the International Hot Rod Association was considering purchasing the facility as part of expanding the 2026 schedule. A working draft of the IHRA's 2026 schedule speculates that the property could be acquired by the organisation, which would host 1/8 mile drag races as a late-autumn round after rebuilding, as the IHRA has committed itself in 2026 to exclusively participating in 1/8 mile drag racing. The announcement was posted in December 2025 for the sanctioning body's ''Drag Review'' magazine as a contracted track. The IHRA, however, was unable to formally announce the event during the December 11-14 Performance Racing Industry trade show in Indianapolis. The schedule announcement did, however, keep the proposed October date for the track open while the IHRA finishes negotiations with Banks County and contractors for the rebuilding that would include grandstands and a timing tower. The proposed date would be the season finals for the IHRA.<ref>{{cite web |title=Rumor Mill: IHRA Eyes Shocking Returns for Commerce and Memphis |url=https://competitionplus.com/rumor-mill-ihra-eyes-shocking-returns-for-commerce-and-memphis/ |website=Competition Plus |access-date=2025-11-20 |ref=IHRACommerce}}</ref> IHRA official Scott Woodruff attended the Banks County Planning Commission meeting on February 3, 2026, where a 5-0 vote to zone the property for motorsport use cleared that hurdle. A week later, Banks County Board of Commissioners approved the conditional use permit for the track with a new provision prohibiting racing on Sundays before 12 noon. This permits the IHRA to close on the deal and prepare for construction work for the venue to permit racing for the intended IHRA World Finals on October 22-24, although the IHRA could move the event to a later date.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Winslow |first1=Steve |title=Banks County Commissioners approve land use to reopen race track |url=https://accesswdun.com/news/banks-county-commissioners-approve-land-use-to-reopen-race-track |website=WDUN Radio |access-date=2026-02-11 |ref=WDUN}}</ref>

On February 18, 2026, the IHRA formally announced the acquisition of the circuit, with the IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series World Finals set for October 22-24, 2026. The race will be an eighth-mile event for professional categories, except IHRA Pro Stock (which under 2026 rules is the equivalent of the NHRA's Factory Stock Showdown) and some sportsman categories.<ref>{{cite web |title=International Hot Rod Association Acquires Atlanta Dragway in Banks County, Georgia |url=https://ihra.com/IHRA-aquires-atlanta-dragway |website=International Hot Rod Association |access-date=2026-02-18 |ref=IHRALocksDeal}}</ref>

==Winners== {| class="wikitable" |- ! Year !! Top Fuel !! Funny Car !! Pro Stock |- | 1981 || Shirley Muldowney || Tripp Shumake || Lee Shepherd |- | 1982 || Lucille Lee || Raymond Beadle || Lee Shepherd |- | 1983 || Gary Beck || Frank Hawley || Lee Shepherd |- | 1984 || Joe Amato || Billy Meyer || Lee Shepherd |- | 1985 || Don Garlits || Kenny Bernstein || Butch Leal |- | 1986 || Dan Pastorini || Ed McCulloch || Warren Johnson |- | 1987 || Darrell Gwynn || Kenny Bernstein || Bob Glidden |- | 1988 || Eddie Hill || Ed McCulloch || Warren Johnson |- | 1989 || Dick Lahaie || Mike Dunn || Bob Glidden |- | 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 || 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 |- | 2011 || Antron Brown || Jack Beckman || Jason Line |- | 2012 || Steve Torrence || Ron Capps || Greg Anderson |- | 2013 || Antron Brown || Johnny Gray || Mike Edwards |- | 2014 || Spencer Massey || Robert Hight || Jeg Coughlin |- | 2015 || Antron Brown || Tim Wilkerson || Jason Line |- | 2016 || Doug Kalitta || Matt Hagan || Jason Line |- | 2017 || Steve Torrence || Ron Capps || James E Butner III |- | 2018 || Leah Pruett || Courtney Force || Vincent Nobile |- | 2019 || Steve Torrence || Ron Capps || N/A |- | 2020 || colspan=4 align="center" | Cancelled during the Covid-19 pandemic |- | 2021 || Antron Brown || Bob Tasca III || Greg Anderson |}

==References== {{reflist}}

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

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:Drag racing venues Category:Sports venues in Georgia (U.S. state)