Lake Havasu AZ needs a dragstrip

Yes River Dave build a racetrack !!!

Congrats.

Three years after Bandimere Speedway closed its gates, a new chapter for Colorado drag racing is taking shape. Colorado National Speedway is developing an 1/8-mile, no-prep dragstrip aimed at bringing street-style racing into a safe, legal environment.

The facility will feature professional timing systems and ample shutdown space, all while complementing its existing oval racing program. An official opening date hasn’t been announced yet.

Catch IHRA on SPEED SPORT 1! 📺🏁

THURSDAY, 3/12
➡️ 2025 IHRA Highlight Show (Mountain Motor Pro Stock and Top Sportsman from Darana Dragway - Milan)
— 4:00AM, 12:00PM, 8:00PM

➡️ 2025 IHRA Highlight Show (Top Bulb Shootout Day 1 from Darana Dragway - Milan)
— 5:00AM, 1:00PM, 9:00PM

How to watch: https://speedsport1.com/how-to-%20get-ss1/

Seeking Sponsors to help make this event the best one yet!! Racers are signing up at a fast pace!!

Sign up right away before its sold out

TKW Trailer Sales Find your perfect adventure trailer today!

How I would approach selling the idea of a drag strip.

Mayor, council members, business owners, and residents of Lake Havasu City thank you for giving me a few minutes of your time.

I’d like you to picture something with me. It’s a cool January evening in Lake Havasu the kind of night where the air is crisp, the sunsets are gold, and the tourists have mostly gone home. Now imagine, instead of quiet streets and empty parking lots, the distant rumble of engines echoing through the desert not chaos, but life. The stands are full, kids are cheering, racers from across the Southwest are lining up, and every hotel in town has a glowing “No Vacancy” sign.

That’s what a dragstrip brings. Not just sound, but momentum. Not just race cars, but revenue. It’s energy, economy, and opportunity rolled into one.

And here’s the important part: we already have a circle track. The Havasu 95 Speedway has been part of this city for years, and the sound that comes from a well-run race night is no different than what you’d hear at a dragstrip. The noise level is comparable sometimes even less. What matters is management and respect. With modern sound barriers, limited operating hours, and smart scheduling, both facilities can thrive without disturbing our neighborhoods. The track isn’t a disruption it’s an asset, just like the one we already have.

Now, think about what happens when you add drag racing to that ecosystem. Every driver who brings a car here brings more than a race vehicle. They bring friends, families, pit crews, and supporters people who need food, fuel, and a place to stay. They fill hotel rooms in the slower winter months, eat at our restaurants, and stop at our local gas stations. They buy parts, welding supplies, and fluids from local stores. They visit machine shops, tire shops, and auto parts counters all right here in Lake Havasu.

A dragstrip doesn’t just create a single night of entertainment. It creates a chain reaction through the entire community. Machine shops expand. Automotive students get internships. EMTs and firefighters get real-world standby experience and extra hours. Restaurants hire more staff. Local businesses that normally see a slowdown in the off-season suddenly find themselves busy year-round.

And there’s more a facility like this becomes a hub for events. Car shows, swap meets, charity runs, even national-level race weekends that bring thousands of visitors from California, Nevada, and beyond. They’ll come for the racing, but they’ll stay for the lake. They’ll rent rooms, launch boats, and explore the town. And when they go home, they’ll tell everyone how Lake Havasu became the winter racing capital of Arizona.

Some people might worry about change or the sound of engines. But the truth is, we already live in a community that embraces engines. From boats to bikes, off-road trucks to the circle track it’s part of who we are. What we’re talking about isn’t introducing noise; it’s expanding opportunity.

Our weather gives us a unique advantage. While other cities are buried in snow, we’ve got clear skies and 60-degree evenings. Racers across the country are looking for a warm home base and Lake Havasu could be it.

This is about more than racing. It’s about creating good, honest jobs. Construction workers to build it, local contractors to maintain it, emergency crews to support it, food vendors, ticket staff, hospitality workers the list goes on. It’s about giving young people a place to learn, compete, and grow. A safe, legal, and family-friendly outlet that keeps motorsports enthusiasts off the streets and brings pride to our city.

We already have the beauty, the lake, and the spirit. Now, we have the chance to add one more piece a place that captures the sound of excitement and turns it into lasting economic growth.

So tonight, I’m not asking for investors or handouts. I’m asking for vision to see what this could mean for Lake Havasu. To imagine a future where our city isn’t just known for the bridge and the boats, but for being the heartbeat of Arizona motorsports.

We can build this together. We can grow this city year-round. We can keep our economy moving when the summer ends.

The sound of a dragstrip isn’t just horsepower it’s progress. It’s community. It’s the sound of Lake Havasu moving forward.

Thank you.