Houston Raceway Park to End Operations, Close Facility Following 2022 NHRA Event

Houston Raceway Park, the quarter-mile drag strip formerly known as Royal Purple Raceway, will be shutting its doors after 33 years of drag racing action. The track teamed up with the NHRA to announce that the final NHRA SpringNationals will be run at the historic track in 2022. After that, the doors will close and Houston Raceway Park will be nothing more than a legacy but definitely a legacy to be remembered fondly.

“Our family is extremely proud to have showcased the top level of professional drag racing for 35 wonderful years,” said Seth Angel, Houston Raceway Park Track Operator. “It’s been a dream come true to meet and work with all the incredible drivers, team owners, and NHRA executives who come together each year to entertain the millions of racing fans in our area.”

The NHRA also chimed in on the final laps that are soon to come in Houston. “We at the NHRA want to thank Houston Raceway Park and the Angel family for their commitment to the sport of drag racing,” said Glen Cromwell, NHRA President. “Our race teams, partners, and NHRA officials look forward to celebrating the track as we close out this chapter of NHRA history.”

The facility was said to have been the perfect location for drag racing. Located at sea level with an oxygen-rich environment, the event opened its gates for its first national event back in 1988. Since then, we’ve seen not only tons of NHRA action but also many other major events like the iconic TX2K.

Since then, countless events and plenty of iconic moments have gone down in between those walls. One of those just so happens to be the NHRA’s first 4-second run ever back at the inaugural 1988 race.

The 35th annual Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals presented by Pennzoil will be the track’s final sendoff next year on April 22-24.