Atco Dragway Suddenly Closes After 63 Years, Shocking Drag-Racing Community

ATCO, NJ — The iconic Atco Dragway announced its permanent closure Tuesday, sending shockwaves through the drag-racing community after 63 years in business.

Opening in 1960, Atco Dragway was the oldest drag strip in New Jersey and also served as a destination for car shows and swap meets. The racetrack had dozens of events scheduled through November, which were canceled because of the facility's abrupt closure.

"Effective immediately: Atco Dragway is permanently closed," the business said Tuesday on social media. "We will not be open from this point on. The remainder of our schedule for 2023 will be canceled."

The post continued:

"Thank you all for your patronage and memories over the years.

Special thank you to our 29th annual Pan American Nationals racers & crowd for making Atco Dragway’s last event the biggest and best one ever. This isn’t the end for import racing in the northeast!

To all of our staff, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts for sticking it out with us and being the best in the business!"

The news traveled quickly through the drag-racing world. Atco Dragway disabled comments on the announcement, which has been shared 15,000 times as of Wednesday morning.

The track is sanctioned by the National Hot Rod Association — the largest sanctioning body in drag racing. Just last week, Atco Dragway hosted its 29th annual Pan American Nationals, which attracted 400 race teams and more than 12,000 people.

The abrupt closure left some enthusiasts wondering where drivers could safely and legally race and avoid taking it to the streets. (Editor's note: Some of the tweets below contain profanity.)

Street racing is illegal throughout the United States and caused 399 crash deaths around the nation from 1998-2001, according to a study in BMJ Journals. The NHRA opposes illegal street racing and implores drivers to take competitions to the track.