Some History about Sacramento Raceway

The Sacramento Raceway Dragstrip was originally built in 1964 by Vastine Smith (Dave Smith’s long lost cousin) Vastine Smith laid the original asphalt and timing tower for the current Dragstrip and two sets of grandstands which held approximately 50 Spectators. Mr. Vastine Smith ran the racetrack for a few years then turned management over to Betty Clark in 1967 who named it Eldorado Raceway, Hence being in South-East Sacramento and so close to the El Dorado Hills.

In late 1967 Western Oil development , purchased the 198 Acre property and then named the facility Sacramento Raceway, spent approximately $50,000 in upgrades to the property, adding the now existing starting line light poles, NewTronics Timing equipment with (win light only) and an entry gate ticket booth. The Investors after one year of promotions searched for a buyer who would lease and retain the property as a racetrack. As they could not make the Dragstrip successful.

Dave Smith and his family (current owners of Sacramento Raceway Motorsports Park) leased Sacramento Raceway in early 1968 ,While still running his family business, Cascade Custom Fence Co., Dave Smith held drag races every Wednesday nite, Every Saturday nite and Motocross every Sunday with great draw and support from local businesses and racing fans. The facility has taken NHRA as an official Sanctioner of Drag Racing and currently uses all NHRA rules and regulations for every event.

The Racetrack was purchased by the Smith family in 1971 and Dave Smith over the Past 3 decades has made many improvements to Sacramento Raceway including; Safety upgrades to the One mile Motocross track, Supercross track, The 2-1/4 mile Clay Stock Car tracks, The 5/8 mile Clay Nascar track (built in 1980 and is now inoperable when a use permits was denied in 1982 because of the adjoining Mather Air Force Base), Sand Drag Track, BMX racetrack. and Adding Full facility restrooms, Food and Souvenir Concessions, shade trees, NHRA certified double steel guardrails, New TSI infrared and Daktronics Timers, Safety fencing, additional lighting, repaving of the Dragstrip, Grandstands seating 10,000 spectators, A homestead and Maintenance yards making Sacramento Raceway a $8,000,000 facility According to the County of Sacramento, one of the very few successful racetrack with a sole proprietorship axross the whole United States.

Because of County restrictions concerning noise, curfews and traffic congestion, The current schedule of events only allows the racetrack to hold Wednesday night muffled street legal fun drags, bimonthly Friday nite Supercross, Saturday nite stock car racing, and Saturday/Sunday Drag races at the Highlite events, featuring Jets, Funny cars, Wheelstanders etc.

Northern California Automotive related businesses that rely on Sacramento Raceway Motorsports Park for their income include; high performance engine shops, custom paint businesses, carburetor tune up shops, race car fabricators, and many others With a total economic impact of $25,000,000 a year.

Sacramento Raceway contributes over $50,000 each year to local schools, sports organizations, churches and fundraisers.

Total Length:

Standard Length of Track:

1/4 mile

Turnouts:

.2, .3. and .4 past finish line

Timing System:

Chrondek C44 with CARS

Scoreboards:

48" Daktronics incandescent - 5 digit ET and Speed
Scoreboards located at 1/4 mile finish

Radio Station:

107.7 FM