The biggest project at the newest IHRA-member facility has been the track surface itself.
“Half the track is concrete and half is asphalt,” Baskin said. “The asphalt had a lot of cracks in it so I had a guy out of Nashville, who ground the track and then had a way to pump the asphalt and grind it flat. It was expensive, but it’s so smooth now. I went down the track in my (Chevy) Cobalt (10.5-race car) before he ground the concrete and asphalt and after he did it. It made the track quicker after he finished.”
Baskin, 65, has been involved in drag racing since he was 14 years old. His first car was a 1955 Chevy, while the main car he races now is the Cobalt. He’s also a highly successful businessman, the owner of Don Baskin Truck Sales, which has inventory ranging from Big Rigs with sleeper cabs to pickups for service vehicles.
They carry everything in between — concrete mixers, water trucks, tow trucks and the list goes on. In addition, there is equipment like tractors for agricultural use and skid steers for construction. Engines, other parts and components make for a large and impressive inventory.
Through the years, Baskin has consistently stayed involved in racing, having long known IHRA Owner Larry Jeffers who has built him several cars over the years.
Once, he decided to purchase Jackson Dragway, one of Baskin’s first decisions was to return it as an IHRA-sanctioned track. Jackson racers can now compete in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries program, the most prestigious championship in all of bracket racing.
“That’s nice for the racers,” Baskin said. “It’s prestigious to be involved in the program with Summit’s involvement.”
Baskin is a fan of both bracket racing and heads-up racing, competing in both over the years. There are plans for a strong schedule of both for the rest of the 2023 season.
“We’re going to have a lot of bracket races and small-tire races,” he said. “I’ve always just had a feel for drag racing, whether it’s bracket or heads-up, and have always liked it.”
He wants others to enjoy as much as he does. It’s why he’s put so much into it and sees Jackson Dragway as a great and fun destination for the racers.
We extend a warm welcome to Jackson Dragway as the newest IHRA member track. A new Jackson Dragway website and Facebook page will be coming in the next few days.
