hanover racer finds second home At snyder county track

storY: GENE OSTROWSKI, FOR INSIDE MOTORSPORTS Photos: PROvIDED

entering its fourth season under the ownership of Mike McCracken, Beaver Springs Dragway not only shows continuous improvement, but also shows promise of a bright future for the drag strip itself and the racers who compete there.

Oh yes, it also shows a bright future for the hard-working McCracken crew, who even during the height of the Covid19 pandemic, never gave up. That attitude, mixed with a great track and location is what helps urge drag racers such as Hanover, Pa., drag racer Chris Strausbaugh, to make the twohour tow to the track with his two sons as often as possible.

For more than five decades Beaver Springs hosted a variety of drag racing divisions, which now range from junior dragsters to the super pro class. Not only can an entire family come out to the track as spectators, but also come out as a racing family to compete in multiple age and financially appropriate classes. There is literally something for everyone, including junior ATv and motorcycle drags. Strausbaugh’s main drag car is a 1977 Trans AM, which puts out roughly 2,000 horsepower. The turbo-charged vehicle weighs 3,600 pounds and is powered by a small block Chevy, single turbo. The 3-speed 400 transmission, combined with a custom fabbed 9-inch rear with 40 spline axles, it is built to take whatever abuse that Strausbaugh can dish out. He’s no newcomer to the sport and has been working on cars and around the garage since he was a teenager. Here it is three decades later and he’s still in the garage, hanging with his sons, Garrett and Adley, working on his three drag cars and helping his customers and friends at his shop, offering the use of his chassis dyno.

And, he does all of that, plus works full time as a truck driver. Chris’ ambition sparked when asked about how fast he’s gone on the drag strip.

All 410 Sprint Car Shows: minimum $4,000 to win and $400 to start All Super Late Model Shows: minimum $3,000 to win and $300 to start

Sat, Apr 24 Open Wheel Madness I 410 Sprints, PASS 305 Sprints, & URC 360 Sprints $2,000 on $1 Hot Dog Night 6:00pm Sat, May 1 410 Sprints, Late Models (dual heat passing points), & PASS 305 Sprints 7:00pm Sat, May 8 410 Sprints, ULMS Late Models (tt) $4,000, & Limited Late Models on York County Racing Club Night Presented by Bobby Rahal Toyota Lexus of Lewistown with $10 general admission for all Mothers and Mothers Bus Ride and Pocono Raceway Displays and Giveaways 7:00pm Sat, May 15 NO RACING Fri, May 21 World of Outlaw Late Models Billy Vacek Memorial (tt) $10,000, Limited Late Models, & Wingless Sportsman 7:00pm Sat, May 22 World of Outlaw Late Models Billy Vacek Memorial (tt) $15,000 & 410 Sprints $4,500 7:00pm May 29 & 30 BOB WEIKERT MEMORIAL WEEKEND SPONSORED BY PACKERS CONCESSIONS Sat, May 29 Weikert Memorial Fallen Heroes Championships All Star 410 Sprints (tt) $10,000 & PASS 305 Sprints 7:00pm Sun, May 30 Weikert Memorial Finale All Star 410 Sprints $29,000 (tt) & Wingless Sportsman 7:00pm Mon, May 31 RAIN DATE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 30th ONLY Start Time: TBA Sat, June 5 410 Sprints, Late Models, & Limited Late Model Twin 18s on Camera & Autograph Night with Kids Bus Ride presented by Bobby Rahal Toyota Lexus of Lewistown 7:00pm Sat, June 12 410 Sprints, Late Models, & PASS 305 Sprints with $10 general admission for all Senior Citizens 62 years of age and older and $1 Hot Dog Night 7:00pm Sat, June 19 USAC Wingless Sprint Cars Eastern Storm (tt) $6,000, 410 Sprints (dual heat passing points) $4,500, & EMMR Exhibition 7:00pm Sat, June 26 NO RACING Wed, June 30 31st Annual PA Speedweek 410 Sprints (tt) $7,000 & URC 360 Sprints $2,000 7:00pm Sat, July 3 31st Annual PA Speedweek 3rd ANNUAL GREG HODNETT CLASSIC for 410 Sprints (tt) $10,000 & Late Models 7:00pm Sat, July 10 410 Sprints, Late Models, & Limited Late Models on Kids Night with Bicycle and Power Wheel Races (helmets required) 7:00pm Sat, July 17 Open Wheel Madness II 410 Sprints, PASS 305 Sprints, & WINGLESS Sportsman 7:00pm Sat, July 24 AMA Flat Track Motorcycles presented by PROGRESSIVE (Raindate: Sunday July 25) Start Time: TBA Sat, July 31 15th Annual Living Legends Dream Race 410 Sprints (tt) $10,000 & Late Models Presented by River Valley Builders Modular Home Sales 7:00pm Sat, Aug 7 410 Sprints, Late Models, & PASS 305 Sprints – Kids Money Scramble presented by Pennian Bank 7:00pm Sat, Aug 14 NO RACING Sat, Aug 21 Open Wheel Madness III 410 Sprints, PASS 305 Sprints, & USAC East Coast Wingless 360 Sprints on Salute To The Military Night Free General Admission for past and present military with proper identification 7:00pm Thu, Aug 26 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Rumble By The River” (tt) $10,000 & Limited Late Models $1,500 7:00pm Fri, Aug 27 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Rumble By The River” (tt) $12,000 & Mid Atlantic Modifieds 7:00pm Sat, Aug 28 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series “Rumble By The River” (tt) $30,000, Non Qualifiers Feature, & Mid Atlantic Modifieds 7:00pm Sat, Sept 4 167th Annual Juniata County Fair Opener – 18th Annual ULMS Late Model Butch Renninger Memorial (tt) $5,333, 410 Sprints, & Limited Late Models $1,500 on Auto Racing Club Of Hagerstown Night (ARCH) 6:00pm Mon, Sept 6 Classic for 410 Sprints (gtt) $5,000, FWD 4-Cylinders, & Wingless Sportsman benefiting the United Way on Fan Appreciation Day – $5 Infield Admission and $12 Grandstand General Admission 1:00pm Thur, Sept 9 All Star Circuit Of Champion 410 Sprint Cars (tt) $8,000 & PASS 305 Sprints Presented by Tedd Reitz 7:00pm Fri, Sept 10 Of Champion 410 Sprint Cars $10,000 (tt) & Late Models Presented by Tedd Reitz (Last points race for the 410 Sprint Cars & LMs) 7:00pm Sat, Sept 11 Sponsored by Ramsey’s Car Wash and Garage of Mifflintown & Presented by Packers Concessions (tt) $54,000 & Non Qualifiers Race 6:00pm Sun, Sept 12 Tuscarora 50 rain date (Saturday event only) Start time: TBA Fri, Oct 8 World Of Outlaw Sprint Car Series (tt) $10,000 & Limited Late Models (Top 24 in points) 7:00pm Sat, Oct 9 World Of Outlaw Sprint Car Series (tt) $15,000 & PASS 305 Sprints (Top 24 in points) 5:00pm Thu, Oct 14 Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco Modifieds $5,000 7:00pm Fri, Oct15 Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco Modifieds & 602 Crate Modifieds Qualifying Night 7:00pm Sat, Oct 16 Short Track Super Series Fueled by Sunoco “Speed Showcase 200” $50,000 & 602 Crate Modifieds $2,500 5:00pm Sat, Oct 23 Challenge 305 Sprints (gtt), Limited Late Models, & FWD 4-Cylinders (Last points race for LLM and 305 Sprints) 3:00pm

“Let’s just say it’s been 155 mph in the 1/8th mile.”

His success has been read about and viewed on television as well. “I’ve been in RPm magazine, I’ve been on Street Outlaws (Discovery Channel) and won lots of grudge races, but I also lost some too.”

He recalled the first time that he was introduced to McCracken and his son, Mikey, at Beaver Springs.

“I won the first no prep event at Beaver Springs Dragway, hosted by MASO. Duane Morris is the head guy at MASO and handles the no prep racing scheduling for me so I can focus on other important things.”

Simply put, “no prep” means that nothing has been done to the track to help the drivers. It literally puts everything into the hands of the driver.

“Duane has helped me in so many different ways including off track,” Strausbaugh said. “I couldn’t do it without him. He introduced me to Mike McCracken, the owner of Beaver Springs Dragway. The first time at the track Mike made me feel like I was part of the track family. His son Mikey reminds me of me when I was his age, so we get along very well.”

Seemingly, McCracken and his team are always improving the facility and during the recent offseason they totally remodeled the track restrooms. McCracken always takes the initiative to have the recent improvements and up-todate news posted on the track website, www.beaversprings.com.

Being that he considers the group of track supporters part of his family, other news is listed on the site as well. Some news is happy while others remember a lost one who was part of their racing family and has recently passed on. Every time he takes a minute to share something with his supporters, they are quick to react, mainly because they recognize that receiving up-to-date information is crucial in today’s digital world.

Strausbaugh commented on how much respect McCracken has done for the folks that support his facility and drag racing in general.

“That shows he cares about us racers and it’s definitely my favorite track. They treat team MASO with the utmost respect, even though we are mostly no prep racers.”

He hopes to have his second car complete soon and plans to bring it out to Beaver Springs.

“I love all types of drag racing including track racing. My 2000 Trans AM will be a small-tire track car, so fingers crossed, it will be ready at the end of this season, or the beginning of next.”

The tentative Beaver Springs track schedule, which runs from April through October and into early November, is posted on the dragway website. McCracken did note that the schedule is subject to change because of the pandemic and any associated regulations that may come from it. He also asked the racers for their input

Chris Strausbaugh “That shows he cares about us racers and it’s definitely my favorite track.” chrIS StrauSBaugh on the season schedule, as during these times it seems nearly impossible to have a concrete schedule of pretty much anything. The track gates were scheduled to open at 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2 for time shots and a test and tune will follow the next day from noon until 4 p.m. The remainder of the month is similar and then the first International Hot Rod Association points event is set to kick off on the mother’s Day, may 9. Strausbaugh’s looking forward to returning to the track to compete, while his sons are apparently excited to make the trek back for the concessions. “They love the cheeseburgers there. My boys and I love having a great time anytime, and Beaver Springs definitely allows us to be ourselves.”