Lions Drag Strip: 1955-1972

Hot rodders and the “drag” cars that they raced in unsanctioned
exhibitions had become a nuisance with law enforcement
in Los Angeles, California. So, in an effort to make racing
safer, C. J. “Pappy” Hart (founder of the Santa Ana Drag Strip),
Norris Poulson (mayor of Los Angeles), John Chadwick (member
of the Wilmington Lions Club), and others collaborated to
create the world-famous Lions Associated Drag Strip. With an
approved proposal, shovels sunk into the sand in August 1955
in Wilmington, California, christening the birth of the world’s
greatest drag strip.
Mickey Thompson was hired to operate Lions Drag Strip
(also known as “the Beach”), quickly turning it into Southern
California’s wildest venue to watch drag racing. Innovations,
including staging lights, track lighting for night racing, and concession
stands, made Lions Drag Strip the place to be.
The world’s greatest drag racers, such as Jack Chrisman,
Tom McEwen, Art Chrisman, Don Prudhomme, Chris Karamesines,
Connie Kalitta, and Don Garlits, as well as a cast of
thousands of others, descended upon Lions Drag Strip for exhibition
and match racing. Fabled East-West showdowns, Fuel
Altereds, Funny Cars, and Jet cars broke attendance records
and set national records throughout the 1960s. In addition,
thrill-seeker Evel Knievel leaped over 13 cars at Lions Drag
Strip to the excitement of 14,000 fans in December 1970.
Sadly, Lions Drag Strip closed on December 3, 1972, due
to the location being valued as industrial real estate and the
approaching urban sprawl.
Lions Automobilia Foundation Museum volunteer Lou Hart
brings forth this year-by-year illustrated history of Lions Drag
Strip’s most memorable events with never-before-seen images
in Lions Drag Strip: 1955–1972!

• This is the first book ever that chronicles the entire
history of Lions Drag Strip.
• Lions Drag Strip was Los Angeles’s most famous drag
strip.
• Over the years, millions of fans visited Lions Drag
Strip.