3/15/2025
IHRA Events
Custom T’s Motorsports Continues to Make History
COLONIAL BEACH, Va. — Custom T’s Motorsports Park makes history at an incredible location on the East Coast.
The former Colonial Beach Dragway is owned by legendary grudge racing promoter Larry Thompson since 2018. Thompson, who has been involved in many facets of the sport, is one of the most respected promoters on the East Coast.
Custom T’s is the first and only 100 percent, black-owned and operated professional racing facility in the United States. Thompson originally got involved in drag racing through his t-shirt business. Growing up watching his uncles race, Thompson promoted his first race at Colonial Beach in 2001.
He has promoted races up and down the East Coast including Darlington Dragway, Maryland International Raceway, Virginia Motosports Park and Piedmont Dragway.
First opened in 1963 as Longfield Drag Strip, the track was named after the farms on which it was located. It was changed from a quarter-mile to eighth-mile track in the 1980s, and became an IHRA-sanctioned track in 2010.
Custom T’s Motorsports Park continues as an IHRA-sanctioned track today where it hosts a variety of special events.
The Spring Fling sets off the season on April 12. It’s part of the four-race IHRA Drag Warz with Top ET, Mod, Bikes and Junior Dragsters as well as a Big Tire Shootout.
The biggest race of the season is the “King of the Beach.” The race, which goes back to the 1970s, not only brings in a lot of cars, but there’s a bike giveaway that brings joy to hundreds of kids.
Thanks to the program started by popular racer Kenny Ferguson, there have been over 300 bikes given away some years. It shows the passion that Thompson has for both the track and the community.
Other events have included “Grudge Racing 4 the Cure” which raises thousands of dollars to fight breast cancer and “Sunday 4 Service” to help first responders.
Thompson has made huge investments to the 50-acre property to make it more racer friendly. Adding to the experience, the track is located less than four miles from the second largest beachfront in Virginia.
Check out the track’s Facebook page to keep up with the latest news at Custom T’s Motorsports Park.
Submitted By: Jeff Birchfield
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