The Tracks of Death Week – Barona Drag Strip
Although Death Week will incorporate nearly 2,000 miles of street driving, the second track on the route, Barona Drag Strip, will be visited just one day after the event begins.
Residing on the Barona Indian Reservation, the eighth-mile track is a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) sanctioned facility that originally got its start as a sand strip.
Converted to a paved drag strip, the track regularly hosts bracket races and Street Legal Friday night events. The track also hosts annual events like the RPM Barona Drags, an offshoot of the RPM Nationals Flathead Drags, focusing on cars 1940 and earlier.
They also feature the annual Antique Drags, where cars mostly from the 1950s blast to laps over 100 mph on the eighth-mile distance.
“Barona Drags just might be the place I’m looking forward to racing at the most,” said Tom Bailey. “It’s a beautiful facility and just amazing with all the rocks and mountains around. We would love to have all the San Diego race fans spend their Sunday afternoon with us.
Racing will take place from 1 pm to 6 pm so there is going to be plenty of time to catch us there. I know I want to run some four-second passes in my Dodge Durango, but there’s going to be a lot of other quick cars trying to take us down.”
The track also lies within five miles of Barona Resort and Casino property, offering a full array of casino games, multiple restaurants and an 18-hole golf course.
Some of the attractions within a reasonable distance of the Barona drag strip include Sky Falconry, a 40-acre ranch in the San Diego mountains that features trained birds such as hawks, falcons and owls.
Potato Chip Rock offers a unique view of Poway, and it’s part of a challenging hike up Mt Woodson Trail.
There are several vineyards / wineries as well, including Turtle Rock Ridge located in San Diego County.
Barona marks the second track on the ultimate drag-and-drive known as Death Week. Spots are still available; don’t miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime adventure!
Written by Derek Putnam.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com