The Beeline Dragway was a
drag racing
Drag racing is a type of motor racing in which automobiles or motorcycles compete, usually two at a time, to be first to cross a set finish line. The race follows a short, straight course from a standing start over a measured distance, mos ...
facility in
Mesa, Arizona
Mesa ( ) is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, United States. The population was 504,258 at the 2020 census. It is the List of municipalities in Arizona, third-most populous city in Arizona, after Phoenix, Arizona, Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona, T ...
that operated from 1963 to the 1980s.
Situated approximately one mile north of Mesa along State Highway 87, the track was named after the
Beeline Highway, which connected Mesa to Payson and was known for its straight path.
Drag racer Jim Rodgers built the track on land leased from the
Salt River Pima Indian tribe.
Beeline Dragway featured a pair of quarter-mile asphalt lanes designed for high-speed drag racing.
During the 1960s and early 1970s, the facility attracted thousands of spectators and hosted major events such as the American Hot Rod Association (AHRA) Winternationals. Renowned drivers, including
Don "Big Daddy" Garlits,
"Dandy" Dick Landy, and
Tom McEwen, competed at Beeline.
Legacy and Future Use
After its closure, Beeline Dragway remained largely abandoned, with the three-story concrete and steel timing tower standing as the sole remnant of the facility's racing past. Over the years, the tower became a canvas for graffiti artists and a subject of urban exploration
The Salt River Pima Indian tribe plans to restore the property to its natural state to use it for cultural ceremonies and open space.
References
External links
1965 race at the track*
Mesa, Arizona
Drag racing venues
{{autoracing-venue-stub