Since then, the racing community and other neighbors have come together to help get the property back in shape. Less than a week after the storm, the track is scheduled to open this Saturday, August 24. Gates open at 4:30 p.m. with an unlimited test-and-tune and runs from 5-11 p.m. 

All this was made possible by the hard work of track owners Wayne and Patty Styles and others who contributed their time and efforts to the cause. Patty described the initial shock as a “nightmare” as the nearby Centerville Speedway also suffered damage and one of their neighbors lost five trees. 

The Suburban that Patty drives and often uses to check-in racers had limbs fall on it and bust the windshield. One of the sheds with golf carts inside was badly twisted. 

“We hate it for some guys who had their golf carts in a shed that got bent up badly,” she said. “We really think it was a tornado that came down the backfield and landed on the track. We got really lucky that it didn’t do more damage.”

Although trees on the dragway property were still being cut up at the time of this interview, they were in better shape than one might expect though thanks to some good neighbors.

“It was a mess, but we had some guys who were logging back behind us,” she explained. “They had the big machines to pick up trees when they were logging and they were nice enough to come to our property and get the trees situated on our burn pile.”

Styles wanted to express her gratitude to all those who have helped. It’s often said how racers are a family, but one truly sees it in a time of need. She was also looking ahead to the weekend where she hopes to see even more of the racers come out.

“It’s awesome how everyone come together to help,” she said. “They know we can’t do it all. We only have Saturday scheduled this weekend, but we’re hoping for a good turnout.”

Keep up to date with the latest Centerville Dragway news by clicking here to visit the track’s Facebook page.