‘Throwdown In T-Town’ Hopes To Rev Racing Season Into High Gear

The "Throwdown in T-Town" normally packs the track with drivers and their fans, but not on Saturday.

In order to have the event at all, about three-fourths of the normal attendance were allowed in to Tulsa Raceway Park.  

"We know the whole world is watching us,” Tulsa Raceway Park co-owner Todd Martin said. “NHRA U.S. Motorsports Association, they are watching us to make sure, if we get this pulled off, we can help everybody from the transmission builder to the trail sales guy. Maybe we can get the rest of the drag strips across the country open and racing."

Martin hopes this event helps jump start the race season.

“My son plays competitive volleyball and he has been sitting on the sidelines for a while now and I would love to see all the kids’ sports and everybody get back to normal life with social distancing and some smart techniques,” Martin said. “I think it can be done.”

Drivers came as far as California and fans came as far as Tennessee to cheer on their favorite drag racer in Green Country.

"We entertained a little bit of the Mid-West Pro Mod today and the last two races and this was one of the last ones we went before we got invited to run NHRA Dallas,” racer Mike Curle said. “So for us to be out right now is pretty great. We are looking forward to making it up to the last race that we missed at the beginning of the year in Ennis, TX, which is here in a few weeks, so we are just excited."

Fans understood attendance might not be at capacity but are still excited to see big teams that made their way to Tulsa.

“We saw a rig from Florida, so there is [sic] people from everywhere,” Tulsa resident Joy Wiley said. “It’s great to see the folks take the time and make that long drive or even the short drives to get here."

"I got a guy that flew all the from Destin, Fla. to come watch this race and I haven't seen him in 15 years,” Martin said. “To be able to get people from all over, get the community involved, have them come out here and race with us and be spectators is a big deal."