Airport Raceway
During warm summer nights, the Airport Raceway is a popular destination for the whole family. Ten miles east of Garden City, the Airport Raceway holds weekly events for the racing community. The 1/6-mile raceway is home to Dwarf and Midget car races. The short inner track is for go-karts and junior sprint cars. The smell of exhaust, the excitement of the pit crew, and the buzz of the engines will hit you from the stands. It is sure to get your heart racing whether you are a driver or an admirer in the stands.
The Airport Raceway is hosted by Garden City retiree Jack Crook. Jack was among the first community members who built the racetrack in the 1990s. This long-time event organizer has racing in his blood and his heritage. His father, Gene Crook, fostered a passion for racing with his family while on vacations at the racetrack. The Crook family has four generations of racers including Jack’s sons. You’ll be sure to find the whole family overseeing raceway events; whether they are repairing cars or driving them themselves. Jack firmly believes that the raceway is a great family atmosphere where hands-on learning and sportsmanship are promoted.
The events at the racetrack are possible thanks to the support of the volunteers and local businesses. The more time you spend at the raceway, you will realize there is a whole team behind the show. Maintenance of the dirt track, clean accommodations for onlookers, and mowing the lawn are just a few of the duties that the raceway team is committed to. The local sponsors include tire shops, bowling alleys, and rental agencies who come together to make it happen. Participants come from many neighboring cities for this one-of-a-kind raceway. In the crowd and on the track, you’ll find people from Dodge City, Liberal, and Ulysses.
New Racers
rom May to September, the Airport Raceway community cheers on racers as they compete for first place on the dirt track. They also host car classes for racing beginners. Your children can learn from pro-drivers. The classes are a resource for the youth interested in micros, go-carts, and junior sprints.
The Airport Raceway loves to see new racers on the track. The adrenaline is real for these safety-conscious racers. The driver’s seat is low to the ground; and the dirt racing by just inches away. The professionals at the raceway are experienced in handling all situations on the race track. They also teach preventative techniques for safe driving so everyone feels comfortable.
Visit The Track
An updated schedule is released each year with a full list of weekly events and large racing meets. Generally, the gates open around 4 pm. Practice rounds warm up the track, before the feature races start at 7:30 pm. For adults, you can purchase your ticket for $10 at the gate. Kids age 10 and under enter for free.
The Airport Raceway community keeps everyone up to date with the most recent raceway news on their Facebook page. If you want more information, contact Jack Crook at 620-287-3695
