RKRacing1's Home Page

(Updated 07/30/21)

These pages are dedicated as a tribute to

Oswego Dragstrip, the racers, families,

crews, spectators & great times had there.....

In 1971 a good buddy of mine took me to see my first drag race at Oswego
Dragstrip located on US Rt34 in Oswego Illinois. In 1972 I bought my first
car, a brand new 1972 Mercury Comet and began racing there. The car
evolved as a street/strip machine known as "302much". I caught on quick
and won the 1975 & 1976 Oswego Track Championships in Super Street
Eliminator. So I grew up at Oswego Dragstrip and have very fond memories
of those good ol' days when racecars had names and personalities. Enjoy.

My car:

April of 1980 the following short article appeared in the paper:

After 5 years of rumors and 25 years of continuous operation,
Oswego Dragstrip will not reopen this season. It was the oldest
operating dragstrip in the US. The property has been sold for a
nursing home. All of us, the Oswego Crew, Manager Bub Thurlby,
and his wife Debbie, and Operator Ben Christ were saddened by the
closing of the Big "O".

Quartermile Countdown magazine was published by Performance,
Publications March thru October featuring US30 and Oswego
dragstrips. In 1977 it distributed 360,000 copies to subscribers
and advertisers. Dolores Christ was the editor, Bob Doss was the
art director, and Al Poyer, Jeannie Martinie, Bubba & Debbie
Thurlby were major contributors, just to name a few.

Enjoy their work....

(Click any cover page to enlarge)