The Atco Dragway has been in the talks of repurposing for months now, and it looks like the final blow has been dealt. The 63-year-old facility had faced a proposal to re-develop the site by Illinois-based Insurance Auto Auctions.
People thought it would take years for the deal to be closed, but no one could have anticipated Atco to close down so suddenly and with no warning.
On Tuesday, Atco Dragway announced that it was shutting down forever. It was revealed on the company’s Facebook page with no explanation whatsoever. The message simply stated: “Atco Dragway is permanently closed. We will not be open from this point on. The remainder of our schedule for 2023 will be canceled,” the announcement stated.
Being the first official drag strip of New Jersey, the site contains thousands of memorable moments for the locals.
What is peculiar about the decision is that Atco Dragway’s announcement offers no further information. The comments are blocked, and it is a dead end, proving it impossible for people to snoop around for facts.
The announcement by Dragway ended with heartfelt thanks to all the staff members for sticking around all this time. The company did say, “This isn’t the end for import racing in the northeast!” Is this a hint towards a new development for the site? Or is it just a ray of hope thrown for the currently open drag strips to continue their legacy while every other strip is being closed down?
The dragstrip has been a beloved destination for car enthusiasts for decades, and the racing community has been left devastated after news of the sudden and permanent closing down reached them.
Many news outlets have attempted to reach the owners for more information, but they have not been successful. The era of Atco Dragway is over, leaving its patrons with a boxful of nostalgia.
Are you just as shocked regarding the sudden closedown? Tell us more in the comments below.