Bret Kepner

Bruce Concrete Construction Inc. Completes Dragstrip Renovations at GIR

MADISON, Ill. - In its mission to ensure the best-possible racing at its facility, Gateway International Raceway authorized the renovation of a 2,400 square feet area of its NHRA-sanctioned dragstrip. The project, completed by Bruce Concrete Construction, Inc. out of Granite City, Ill., necessitated the removal of old concrete in two 20-feet-wide by 60-feet-long sections from near the starting lines of both lanes and the pouring of new concrete there.

Bruce Concrete Construction, Inc., Project Manager Cory Hart said the GIR project was the first time they had renovated a racing surface and used special equipment to ensure the surface will be race-ready.

"We used a bump cutter on this job, which gives us a lot flatter pour," Hart said. "The mix design of the concrete was also different and the reinforcement that we used in (the new sections) was a lot heavier than what is common."

Hart said he and his crew knew the project had to be done perfectly to maintain the integrity of the track and the reputation Gateway International Raceway has within the drag racing community. "We told (the crew) it was a pretty critical job," he said. "It's something we can take pride in as much as we do any other job, but this one would be kind of neat knowing we were doing it for the dragstrip."

Being fans of the sport and of the facility also played a factor in the crew's desire to make the project perfect. "Quite a few of our guys like going (to Gateway) and watching the races," Hart said. "I've been to the quarter-mile a couple times myself and it's neat to watch."

Gateway International Raceway Vice President and General Manager Lenny Batycki said the new sections are a statement to both fans and racers that the track is dedicated to providing the best-possible racing conditions for its events. He went on to thank Labor Local 100, Operator Local #250, and the Carpenters District Council of Greater St. Louis for their efforts.

"Providing a quality racing surface that is both safe and competitive is our focus here at Gateway," he said. "The guys at Bruce Concrete Construction did just that. Their professionalism and work ethic in not only getting the job done in the least amount of time, but also in making sure it was done the right way, is a credit to the organization and the laborers, operators, and carpenters within it.

"When it comes to our racers, whether it's the men and women who race here weekly or the stars of the NHRA POWERade Series, we expect that the only difference they notice in the new surface is better grip and faster times."

The dragstrip will get plenty of use this year as the 2008 racing season at Gateway International Raceway kicks off on March 15th with the Second Annual O'Reilly Icebreaker. Other GIR dragstrip events include the return of the NHRA POWERade Series May 2-4 for the O'Reilly Midwest Nationals, the Muscle Car Reunion and Nostalgia Drags May 31-June 1 featuring "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, and PINKS All Out June 27-28. For more information on these and other events at Gateway International Raceway, call 866-35-SPEED or visit GatewayRaceway.com.