Alaska Raceway Park signs with National Hot Rod Association

WASILLA — Alaska’s largest and most professional racetrack just kicked things up a notch.

The Alaska Raceway Park recently signed on as a National Hot Rod Association member, which will ultimately benefit the track and the racers, according to Michelle Lackey Maynor, operations manager.

“One of the main reasons is that NHRA is one of the biggest names in drag racing,” Lackey Maynor said.

The Alaska Raceway Park draws racers from across the state because it’s the only racetrack in Alaskan with a drag strip and NASCAR oval track. Now, they’re officially members of the Northwest Division in NHRA’s roster of racetracks.

Located in the heart of Butte, the Alaska Raceway Park is often regarded as one of the more scenic multi-use motorsports parks in the country with a splendor of Alaskan mountains and wilderness as the backdrop. Locals and visitors alike frequently marvel at the professional setting meshed with iconic, natural beauty.

“With one of the most beautiful settings a track could be located and a great group of racers, we’re very excited to have Alaska Raceway Park and its racers in the NHRA family,” Division 6 Director Matt Levonas stated in a recent press release.

The Alaska Raceway Park was originally built in 1964 and it’s owned and operated by Earl and Karen Lackey and their daughter Michelle Lackey Maynor.

“The dragstrip has been there for 55 years and we just opened the NASCAR track in 2016. NHRA is the top name in drag racing and NASCAR is the top name in oval racing so it seemed like a good fit,” Lackey Maynor stated in the press release. “We’re excited for the upcoming season. To get back to the fun part of racing. That track family atmosphere is kind of what we’re focusing on for this year.”

The Alaska Raceway Park’s seasons run from Mother’s Day weekend until Labor Day. They will host a slate of NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League events throughout the year.

Racers will also have the chance to compete against other racers in the division for a championship “Wally” (the official NHRA trophy) through the Land of the Leaders ET Challenge Series.

As an NHRA sanctioned track, the Alaska Raceway Park is now eligible to offer racers a variety of racing opportunities, such as the NHRA Summit Racing Series, the NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League, NHRA Jr. Street and the NHRA Drags: Street Legal Style presented by AAA.

The park will also be to host NHRA’s specialty events, including the National DRAGSTER Challenge, NHRA Summit King of the Track, and NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Challenge.

The 2020 race season is now available online. For more information, visit raceak.com.

Contact Mat-Su Valley reporter Jacob Mann at jacob.mann@frontiersman.com