Beaver Springs Dragway Hanover racer finds second home at Snyder County track
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Inside Motorsports | April 2021
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ntering its fourth season under the ownership of Mike McCracken, Beaver Springs Dragway not only shows continuous improvement, but also shows promise of a bright future for the drag strip itself and the racers who compete there. Oh yes, it also shows a bright future for the hard-working McCracken crew, who even during the height of the Covid19 pandemic, never gave up. That attitude, mixed with a great track and location is what helps urge drag racers such as Hanover, Pa., drag racer Chris Strausbaugh, to make the twohour tow to the track with his two sons as often as possible.
Story: GENE OSTROWSKI, FOR INSIDE MOTORSPORTS Photos: provided
For more than five decades Beaver Springs hosted a variety of drag racing divisions, which now range from junior dragsters to the super pro class. Not only can an entire family come out to the track as spectators, but also come out as a racing family to compete in multiple age and financially appropriate classes. There is literally something for everyone, including junior ATV and motorcycle drags. Strausbaugh’s main drag car is a 1977 Trans AM, which puts out roughly 2,000 horsepower. The turbo-charged vehicle weighs 3,600 pounds and is powered by a small block Chevy, single turbo. The 3-speed 400 transmission, combined with a custom fabbed 9-inch
rear with 40 spline axles, it is built to take whatever abuse that Strausbaugh can dish out. He’s no newcomer to the sport and has been working on cars and around the garage since he was a teenager. Here it is three decades later and he’s still in the garage, hanging with his sons, Garrett and Adley, working on his three drag cars and helping his customers and friends at his shop, offering the use of his chassis dyno. And, he does all of that, plus works full time as a truck driver. Chris’ ambition sparked when asked about how fast he’s gone on the drag strip. continued on page 22
