8/19/2013
US 13 Dragway
U.S. 13 DRAGWAY TO CELEBRATE 50TH ANNIVERSARY SUNDAY
By Charlie Brown, Delmar, DE – Remember the old phrase “where were you in ’62?� Some can’t remember and others weren’t even born. Charlie Cathell, promoter of the U.S. 13 Dragway knows exactly where he was in August of 1963. He was helping his father, William J. Cathell, at the grand opening of the U.S. 13 Dragway in Delmar, Del. On Sunday, August 25th the U.S. 13 Dragway will celebrate 50 years with the William J. & Juanita Cathell Memorial 50th Anniversary Chevy Show, Shine & Drags. The U.S. 13 Dragway is one of only a few dragways in the country that have operated for 50 consecutive years under the same family management.
The first 2,000 fans will receive a free commemorative Pepsi can in a 50th Anniversary koozie. Also, we will have a huge carnival area set up for kids of all ages. Another attraction will be our memorabilia tent filled with lot's of items on display from pictures, trophy's, racer's from the 60's, 70's & 80's and other collectibles to be viewed. Tom Jerman has produced an hour long slide show of his collection of pictures which show cases all the years of racing at the U S 13 Dragway. Also, be sure to pick up your anniversary t-shirt and collectors cup celebrating our 50 years of drag racing and motorsports.
The special day will be a combination of drag racing, car show, automotive flea market and nostalgia. The Mason-Dixon Classic Chevy Club will once again host the Chevy show. The first 200 entries will receive dash plaques and all entries must be Chevy powered. Judging will be done by qualified judges and there will be no classes. Fifty first place, 50 second place and 50 third place awards will be presented plus three “Best in Show� awards. Registration will be from 9 a.m. until noon. For additional show information contact Kathy Swagler at 410-213-7579.
There will be a full day a drag racing beginning with time trials at 10 a.m. Racing is open to all makes and models and will be part of the NHRA Summit Racing Point Series for Super Pro, Pro, Pro Bike, Street, Jr. Dragster 1 and Jr. Dragster 2. “Wally� trophies will be presented to the final round winners in Super Pro, Pro, Pro Bike and Street. A special Pro Mod “Delaware Showdown� will take place between Steve Drummond in his five second, 245 m.p.h. Mustang and Tim O’Hare in his five second, 245 m.p.h. Camaro.
Special guests will include Jerry Turner who was the first flagman (before the invention of the starting lights) and Gene Wharton who owned Delmarva Speed & Custom, the first speed shop in the area.
Gates open at 9 a.m. on Sunday and general admission is just $15. Commercial vendors can still contact the Dragway office at 302-875-1911 for pricing. The rain date for the event is Sunday, September 8th.
