Old Bridge's Raceway Park opens motocross racing season

OLD BRIDGE - While drag racing at Raceway Park has been discontinued, the motocross racing season will kick off Sunday, March 18, marking the 43rd year that the facility has hosted motocross racing events, according to a statement. 

The opener on Sunday will be the last event on the current racetrack. Following that race, all motocross operations will move to another portion of the property where a new racetrack is under construction, the statement said.

"It will be sad to see the existing track demolished, but in the same breath, it's exciting to make a move to take things to the next level," Raceway Park Track Manager Rich Trevelise said in the statement. "We have always tried to accommodate the racer, and with the new track and layout, it is going to be exciting. Moving the track will be a monumental task to accomplish during the early part of the season, but we are up to the challenge."

To the disappointment of racing fans, the owners of Raceway Park, which opened July 4, 1965, announced in January that effective immediately it would no longer conduct drag racing events at the site. The business, owned and operated by the Napp family, said it was reorganizing.    

"To achieve this goal, Raceway Park will no longer conduct quarter mile or eighth mile drag racing events effective immediately," according to a notice on the Raceway Park website.  

The news was met with disappointment from racing fans, many of whom shared their memories of visits to the track on social media. An online petition that yielded thousands of signatures was started in hopes — not met — of saving drag racing at Raceway Park. 

The drag strip is nationally known for hosting the National Hot Rod Association's (NHRA) Summernationals, which will not be conducted at the facility this year.  

Despite the closing of the drag strip portion of the property, the iconic facility will continue to host a variety of activities on the premises this year, including the spring and fall auto swap meets, numerous car shows, motocross racing and practice, kart racing, as well as drifting, a full schedule of road course activities, mud runs, monster truck shows, musical concerts,festival events and more, the statement said.    

Famous for the annual Kawasaki Race of Champions conducted each October, the Kawasaki Motor Corp and its participating dealers have supported the event for more than 40 years, the statement said.  

The move to the new track will enable the motocross operations to expand and provide a better racing and spectator experience. The newly built track will take advantage of a more substantial footprint providing a new layout suitable for racers of all skill levels. A rebuilt plunge and staircase will maintain the feel of the old track with a new updated flavor, according to the statement. 

“Raceway Park has been such a big part of many lives over the years including my own,” Trevelise said. “I hope everyone that can make it out for the last race on the existing race track.So many top riders have rolled wheels through the gates at Raceway Park it is a privilege to be part of the facility." 

Trevelise thanked the Napp family for keeping motocross alive and well in New Jersey, and also thanked Ken Landerman and Jay Irwin for all they accomplished in the past that put Raceway Park Motocross and the Kawasaki Race of Champions on the map.

Following Sunday's opener, the track will host an additional nine events for all two-wheel classes. The next one is set for April 22. Also included in the nine season events are several unique races including the NJ State Championships on Aug. 26 and the 42nd annual Kawasaki Race of Champions Oct. 19 to 21.

For additional information on Raceway Park Motocross and the 2018 Motocross racing schedule, as well as the other activities at Raceway Park visit racewaypark.com.