Tag Archives: MO-KAN Dragway 60th

The big three stories of the week: cyclist succumbs to injuries, Galena motel arrest, Pizza Ranch opens in Joplin

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NEWTON COUNTY, Mo. – Joplin police say a man riding a motorized bicycle involved in a crash with a Newton County deputy has died from his injuries. The Joplin Police Department stated that 44-year-old Ryan D. Hunnell of Joplin died at 3:33 pm on Sunday, July 10th, at Freeman West Hospital. Authorities notified his next of kin. Click here for more information.

GALENA, Ks. – On Friday, July 8th, the Galena Police Department was notified by the Simpson County Mississippi Sheriff’s Office that a female with a federal arrest warrant and an endangered runaway juvenile may be in the Galena area. The suspect, Emily Yeary, 24, of Summerset, South Dakota, was taken into custody. Yeary was transported to the Cherokee County Jail where she is being held without bond, awaiting federal extradition. If you would like to read more about this story, click here.

JOPLIN, Mo. – Pizza Ranch opened in Joplin Monday, July 11th,  at 3223 E 20th. The first 100 people in line will get free pizza for a year. Click here to read more about this story.

BONUS STORY: JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – This weekend celebrates the 60th Anniversary Summer of Mo-Kan Dragway, with special guest, the father of drag racing, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits. If you’d like to read more about this story, click the link we’ve provided.

Those are the big three stories of the week.

 

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MO-KAN Dragway 60th Anniversary Summer; The legendary Don Garlits returns this weekend

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JASPER COUNTY, Mo. — This weekend the ’60th Anniversary Summer of MO-KAN Dragway’ continues with special guest, the father of drag racing, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits.

Carl Blanton has owned MO-KAN since 1999. He is the second owner, purchasing it from cousins Ron and Jim Wilbert.

This weekend is almost a ‘full circle’ moment for Blanton. He recently shared a memory of his own as a young man growing up in Oklahoma.

“Don Garlits was in Tulsa with his National Challenge ’72 race. I won a contest to have breakfast with Don on Saturday morning. Now, 50 years later, Don will appear at our race track as we celebrate our 60th anniversary.” – Carl Blanton of MO-KAN Dragway

This isn’t the first time Garlits has been to MO-Kan. “In 1982 and 1983 Don Garlits returned to Mo-Kan to square off in a best of three match race with Les Shockley’s jet dragster.”

The late Shockley would go on in 1984 to create the Shockwave Jet Truck. The same jet truck concept truck that would later sell to Darnell Racing, which recently crashed at a Michigan air show killing Missouri driver, Chris Darnell.

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“In 1982, Shockey came into the match race as the track record holder for speed at 274 mph! Shockley beat Garlits in all three runs as Garlits’ best times of 6.08, 6.09 and 6.11 were no match for Shockey who re-set both ends of the track record with a 5.99 at 276! 1983 was the re-match, but we have no official record of those results,” MO-KAN states in a release of information.

This weekend at MO-Kan features Don Garlits, but also Nitro Chaos. As ground pounding $35,000 heads up battle as nitro burning dragsters, funny cars and fuel altereds take on each other outlaw style.

Also fans will have a chance to see, Jim Brewer’s Peacemaker Wheelstander, Sportsman Racing, and a Fireworks show both nights.

Friday – July 15
Pit Gate Opens @ 1 pm
Spectator Gate Opens @ 4 pm
Sportsman Test and Tune @ 6 pm
PRO Qualifying @ 7 + 9:30 pm
Wheelstander + Garlits Cackle @ 9 pm

Saturday – July 16
Gates Open @ 9 am
Sportsman Time Trials @ 10 am
PRO Final Qualifier @ 2 pm
PRO Eliminations Start @ 6 pm
Wheelstander + Garlits Cackle @ 9 pm
PRO Final Rounds @ 10 pm

Spectator Admission – pay at the gates
Friday $20 / Saturday $30

Sponsors presenting this 60th Anniversary Summer include: DMP Awnings, Twisted Shifterz, 360-Steel, Wulff Pumps, DeezNuts Lug Nuts, Triple C Agency.com and Red Line Shirt Club.

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Memorial Day Classic at MO-KAN Dragway, celebrating 60 years

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JASPER COUNTY, Mo. – It was 1962 when the fresh SW Missouri dirt was turned to create a little 1/8 mile dragstrip along the Missouri-Kansas border, and MO-KAN Dragway was born.  It’s so close to the state line you can see Kansas from the property.

A few years after MO-KAN began, their Memorial Day Weekend started. Now in it’s 56th year it has become a benchmark event.  This weekend will feature two Jet Dragsters side-by-side competing against one another, Outlaw Fuel Altereds and Muscle Cars.

Friday: Gates at 4 pm, racing from 6 to 11 pm. Outlaw Fuel Altered Qualifying at 8pm, Jet Dragsters to follow!
Saturday: Gates open at 10 am, racing starts at 11 am. Outlaw Fuel Altereds at 2, 5 and 8 pm. Jet Dragsters will run after the 5 and 8 pm altered sessions.

FAQ FROM MO-KAN DRAGWAY
Who races this weekend?
Outlaw Fuel Altereds, ground pounding, nitro breathing machines! TWO! Yes, TWO! Jet Dragsters side by side! Plus! Tons of bracket cars. Including muscle cars you haven’t seen in decades!

What times are races?
Friday: Gates at 4 pm, racing from 6 to 11 pm. Outlaw Fuel Altered Qualifying at 8pm, Jet Dragsters to follow!
Saturday: Gates open at 10 am, racing starts at 11 am. Outlaw Fuel Altereds at 2, 5 and 8 pm. Jet Dragsters will run after the 5 and 8 pm altered sessions.

How much to get in?
Friday: Admission is just $15, that includes your pit pass and kids 12 & under are free!
Saturday: Admission is only $20, that includes pit pass and kids12 & under are free!

Is there parking on the fence?
Of course! There is limited space on the spectator side available and for this event it is first come, first served. Please be respective of your fellow fans and take the minimum amount of space you need. No RVs or travel trailers along the fence please.

Can we bring coolers?
Yes. Please no glass containers.

Can we bring our dog?
Yes, but they must be on a leash at all times. Also, this is a loud and busy environment, some dogs not like that and would be better off at home.

Is there camping?
Camping is permitted, however there are a few things that each camper must and must not do. Anyone staying overnight must have a 2-day wristband for Friday and Saturday if camping Friday night. Camps may not be setup along the fence that faces the track. One hour after completion of racing is quiet time. Please respect others that are staying by keeping the noise to a minimum or security will ask you nicely the first time.

Can we bring our 4-wheeler, golf cart, side-by-side?
No. Sadly due to insurance regulations only vehicles used in support of race operations are allowed.

Will there be food available?
Yes! The main pit concession will be open along with several food vendors located behind the tower on the spectator side.

Also this weekend you can RIDE IN A DRAGSTER!

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