Lions Drag Strip 1955-60

Glen Stokey switched to twin engines after the fuel ban in late 1957. This was very common as everyone was trying to maintain a higher speed. In 1963 fuel was reinstated. © Steve Brackett photo.

The crowd loved the Top Fuel cars. Some of the cars would smoke the tires for the whole quarter mile. This photo was taken in late 1956. © Steve Brackett photo.

This was a line up on Sunday in late 1955 at Lions. Starting from R-L Ike Icona coupe, not sure on the roadsters, first dragster is Merrymen car club 4-cyl., John Bradley in Gene’s Brake Shop flathead powered, Armstrong and Richter’s Nesbett’s Orange Spl., JE Riley Spl. With Doug Hartlett’s blown Chrysler and Calvin Rice driving.Nichols Brothers injected Olds rail with Walt Nichols driving.Manuel Cohelo’s twin Chrysler 4-wheel drive dragster. © Steve Brackett photo.

Willys Gasser, one of the more popular body styles at that time. Steve Brackett photo.

Late afternoon at Lions. Gary Cagle making a super pass with the front wheels up as he passes the Lions sign in his Chrysler powered rail. © Steve Brackett photo (59-60)

Photo taken during the fuel ban at Lions. Lefty Mudersbach twin engined Chevy dragster. © Steve Brackett photo (58-60).

Another of the twin engined gas dragsters. This was the Howards cams twin bear driven by Glen Ward in 1958-59. Steve Brackett photo.

This super roadster belongs to Wayne Ferguson. In the early days it ran as a modified roadster and was later changed to fuel altered. Steve Brackett photo 1960.

Gary Gabelich. Chrysler powered with down draft carbs and air suspension on the front. Steve Brackett photo 1958.

Early photo of the twin engined Freight Train sponsored by Quincy Automotive. In this photo driver is not known as there were a number of drivers listed during its history. In the background you can see Danny Lares the orignal flag starter at Lions. © Steve Brackett photo (59-60).

Beautiful modified roadster owned by George Cerney. Steve Brackett photo (59-61).

Jr Fuel was one of Lion’s most popular classes.

Jack Chrisman raced his 1929 Model Tudor Sedan at Lions running 115 mph on Nitro with a Flathead and 125 with a 331 Hemi.

Braskett and Skinner blown B/Gas Chevy. Steve Brackett photo.

The Greek vs The Snake. Photo courtesy of Don Gillespie

TV Tommy Ivo 1959, 9 second pass

Gary Gabelich, like most would drive anything, as long as he could go fast. Steve Brackett photo.

In the early days this was a modified roadster and today it is a Fuel Altered. Steve Bracket photo.

Howard Cam Twin Bear from 1959-60. This film clip is one of a kind, as it was the only one, single, Hilborn Injector we saw between 1959-60, as we went to Lions every week. We saw the early Studebaker Sedan in the gas class, but just overlooked the single injector sticking out of the hood.