How big is Houston motorsports Park?

How Big is Houston Motorsports Park?

Houston Motorsports Park, formerly known as Houston Raceway Park, is a 3/8 mile high-banked asphalt oval short track located in Baytown, Texas. With a rich history of hosting various motorsports events, the park has become a popular destination for racing enthusiasts. In this article, we will explore the size and features of Houston Motorsports Park.

Track Size and Layout

The track is a 3/8 mile, high-banked asphalt oval, making it one of the premier short tracks in the country. The track is designed to provide thrilling racing action, with a high-banked turn 4 that allows drivers to reach speeds of over 140 mph.

Track Features

Here are some key features of the track:

• Concrete Turns: The track features concrete turns, which provide a smooth and consistent racing surface.
• High-Banked Turns: The high-banked turns, particularly turn 4, allow drivers to reach high speeds and create exciting racing action.
• Pit Road: The pit road is located on the backstretch and features 20 pit boxes.

History and Ownership

Houston Motorsports Park has a rich history dating back to 1988. The track was founded by the Angel family, who operated it until it was sold to Katoen Natie, a Belgian logistics company, in 2019. Unfortunately, the track will be permanently closing after the 2022 NHRA SpringNationals event to make way for an industrial business park expansion.

Racing Events

Houston Motorsports Park has hosted a variety of racing events over the years, including:

• NHRA Drag Racing: The track has been a regular stop on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule, featuring top drag racing teams and drivers.
• IMCA Modified Racing: The track has also hosted IMCA Modified racing events, which feature modified stock cars competing in a variety of classes.
• Spec Racing: The track offers spec racing events, where drivers compete in identical vehicles, providing a more accessible and affordable racing experience.

Future Plans

Although the track will be closing, there are plans to repurpose the land for an industrial business park expansion. The new development will include a short track, which will be built on a smaller scale than the current track. The new track will be designed to accommodate a variety of racing events and will be more affordable and accessible to racing enthusiasts.

Conclusion

Houston Motorsports Park, with its 3/8 mile high-banked asphalt oval, has been a staple of motorsports in Texas for over three decades. While the track will be closing, the legacy of racing events and the excitement of high-speed racing will live on. As the track transitions to a new era, fans can look forward to new and exciting racing events in the future.

Table: Track Specifications

Bullet Points:

• High-banked turns create exciting racing action
• Concrete turns provide a smooth and consistent racing surface
• Pit road features 20 pit boxes
• Track will be closing after the 2022 NHRA SpringNationals event
• New track will be built on a smaller scale, designed for a variety of racing events