Southeastern International Dragway - Dallas, Georgia
Article and Photos by Fred A. Simmons
Southeastern International Dragway was first opened and operated by Marvin "Red'' Jones, as "Red's Dragstrip", on July 4, 1955. The original track was constructed 1,000 ft. long from tar and gravel and located where the return road is today. In the mid fifties, the track was relocated to its present location and increased to a quarter mile asphalt track.
Charles Hardy worked as a starter flagman and started racing at the track back in the fifties. Charles raced his 1956, 4 door Chevy, with a 265 V8 engine, 2-fours and a 3 speed on the column, also a Henry J, with a 409 engine and 6-twos. On January 1, 1963, Charles took over the operation and management of the track. By the late 1960’s his sons Johnny and Mike, along with other family members were involved in the operation of the track.
Around 1964, several NASCAR drivers like Junior Johnson, Curtis Turner and Freddie Lorenzen visited Dallas to try their luck at drag racing. In 1966 the track was sanctioned by the NHRA which had the first Division 2 drag race finals at Southeastern International Dragway. Many of the top racers such as Don Garlits, Dyno Don Nicholson, Hubert Platt, Phil Bonner, and Arnie Beswick came from around the country to race and entertain fans at Southeastern International Dragway.
By the seventies the speeds were increasing so the track surface was shortened to 1/8 mile to insure safety for all. Around the mid 1990s, the track underwent a major improvement by re-grading and implementing a full concrete racing surface.
In 1997 Gene Fuller took over as track promoter and manager. He was instrumental in some of these racing catalogues, such as Super Quick 5.99 or quicker, Regular Bracket Racing 7.50 heads-up, Bracket Bonaza, Pro Mod’s, Friday night Test & Tune. Gene operated the facility as Southeastern Dragway successfully until its last race on December 11, 2005. For a full 50 years racers and fans alike enjoyed Southeastern International Dragway.
Southeastern International Dragway was first opened and operated by Marvin "Red'' Jones, as "Red's Dragstrip", on July 4, 1955. The original track was constructed 1,000 ft. long from tar and gravel and located where the return road is today. In the mid fifties, the track was relocated to its present location and increased to a quarter mile asphalt track.
Charles Hardy worked as a starter flagman and started racing at the track back in the fifties. Charles raced his 1956, 4 door Chevy, with a 265 V8 engine, 2-fours and a 3 speed on the column, also a Henry J, with a 409 engine and 6-twos. On January 1, 1963, Charles took over the operation and management of the track. By the late 1960’s his sons Johnny and Mike, along with other family members were involved in the operation of the track.
Around 1964, several NASCAR drivers like Junior Johnson, Curtis Turner and Freddie Lorenzen visited Dallas to try their luck at drag racing. In 1966 the track was sanctioned by the NHRA which had the first Division 2 drag race finals at Southeastern International Dragway. Many of the top racers such as Don Garlits, Dyno Don Nicholson, Hubert Platt, Phil Bonner, and Arnie Beswick came from around the country to race and entertain fans at Southeastern International Dragway.
By the seventies the speeds were increasing so the track surface was shortened to 1/8 mile to insure safety for all. Around the mid 1990s, the track underwent a major improvement by re-grading and implementing a full concrete racing surface.
In 1997 Gene Fuller took over as track promoter and manager. He was instrumental in some of these racing catalogues, such as Super Quick 5.99 or quicker, Regular Bracket Racing 7.50 heads-up, Bracket Bonaza, Pro Mod’s, Friday night Test & Tune. Gene operated the facility as Southeastern Dragway successfully until its last race on December 11, 2005. For a full 50 years racers and fans alike enjoyed Southeastern International Dragway.
posted by David @ 2:01 PM
<< Home