The Unique History of Yello Belly Drag Strip.
Our history makes Yello Belly a Texas legend.
Before A Drag Strip Yello Bello was a Farmers Market
Yello Belly Opens It's Doors
Yello Belly Drag Strip has its roots in the early 1950s when a group of adventurous young automobile enthusiasts began racing in the sandy riverbed of the Trinity River near Grand Prairie, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. The property owner, eccentric millionaire O.L. Nelms, was a frequent spectator. The racers convinced him to build a drag strip to enjoy their hobby without interference from local police, who often shut down their races. Nelms obliged, constructing an asphalt drag strip managed by volunteers who shared their passion. It was named "Yello Belly Drag Strip" after Nelms' playful jab at the racers' perceived lack of bravery, and the name stuck!
Eventually, a fence was added, and admission fees of 50 cents per racer and spectator were introduced. The gates opened at noon every Sunday and closed at dusk, with races using the street racing method of flagged starts and finishes.
Steel Structures Built
During the 1960's, Nelms built steel structures along each side of the track with a metal roof and dock-high foundations, which could easily become warehouses if the track were forced to close. That never happened and Yello Belly Drag Strip exists as the oldest continuously operating drag strip in Texas and the only known drag strip with covered spectator areas where one can park a car at covered trackside and watch the races.
Charlcie Townson Bought Yello Belly
In 1968 a young entrepreneur, Charlcie Townson, bought the property and began making improvements. She constructed a control tower with a public address system and start-to-finish lights, a lighted ticket booth, restrooms, a concession stand and parking lot lighting. Closing at dark, not much lighting was needed. Admission was increased to only $l.00 per person, but many still congregated on the highway where they could partially view the races for free. Ms. Townson personally operated the track until shortly before her death in 1986, at which time four of her sisters inherited the property and have continued to update with other amenities. The track has been re-paved a number of times and a protective concrete barrier added at each side. New aluminum bleachers have been installed, along with a pro-tree lighting and timing system which is constantly being upgraded and utilizes a computer, timing the races to one-thousandth of a second and providing a printed time sheet to each driver. Racing fuel is available on the premises. Due to safety concerns, law enforcement required the placement of an 18-foot high wall shielding Highway 180 which runs in front of the track. In 2004 complete metal siding replaced the aging brick façade of the building which houses the concession, the racing fuel, and equipment storage.
The iconic Sign Was Installed
Yello Belly Drag Strip has operated as a family-run business year round continuously since 1955. Many loyal fans boast of a three and four generation history as fans or racers. No business sign existed until the present 20-foot tall electric sign was installed in 2004, identifying the business that has thrived at the same location for 69 years -- 4702 East Main Street, Grand Prairie, Texas.
