Dragstrips.org

Bar Nunn Dragway (Casper)

ClosedClosed No longer racing, but some of the track is still there.

Also known as Casper Dragway; Wardwell Field; Bar Nunn Ranch

Raced
1963-68
State
Wyoming
What's left
You can still spot it in aerial photos, or broken pieces of the track surface remain.
On the site today
Housing development using the old runways as streets
Raced on
An airport runway
First race
October 13, 1963
Surface
Runway
Location
Old Wardwell Field, four miles north of Casper on Highway 87
People
  • Jack Owenby, manager (1963-64)
  • Casper Timing Association, volunteer race crew (1963-64)
Sanction
NHRA
Elevation
5,288 ft (1,612 m)
Coordinates
42.91470, -106.34944

This pin shares its exact coordinates with another strip in the source data, so it may be misplaced.

Jack Owenby managed this NHRA-sanctioned strip four miles north of Casper on Highway 87, on the old Wardwell Field, which became the Bar Nunn Ranch in 1956. The first race was October 13, 1963. The Casper Timing Association had volunteered to help run the races but cut ties with the strip in April 1964, so Owenby had to hire help. By 1965 it was called Casper Dragway. Sometime between 1971 and 1980 the rancher who owned the land started a housing development on the old airport, using the runways as streets.

June 13, 1965
June 13, 1965
August 22, 1965
August 22, 1965
Over 2,000 people watched the races on October 13, 1963 at Bar Nunn Dragway. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Oct. 14, 1963
Over 2,000 people watched the races on October 13, 1963 at Bar Nunn Dragway. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Oct. 14, 1963
The starter flags two racers at the 1964 season opener, Bar Nunn Dragway, March 29, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Mar. 30, 1964
The starter flags two racers at the 1964 season opener, Bar Nunn Dragway, March 29, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Mar. 30, 1964
Wayne Seymore (right) drove his 1964 426 III Plymouth S/SA to victory over the '63 Super Stock Dodge with a 12.18 ET at Bar Nunn Dragway, April 12, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Apr. 13, 1964
Wayne Seymore (right) drove his 1964 426 III Plymouth S/SA to victory over the '63 Super Stock Dodge with a 12.18 ET at Bar Nunn Dragway, April 12, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, Apr. 13, 1964
Allen Collingwood (left) drove his B/G Pontiac to a top eliminator win at Bar Nunn Dragway, May 3, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, May 4, 1964
Allen Collingwood (left) drove his B/G Pontiac to a top eliminator win at Bar Nunn Dragway, May 3, 1964. Photo published in Casper Star-Tribune, May 4, 1964
Wardwell Airport/Bar Nunn Dragway, 1962 USGS topo map
Wardwell Airport/Bar Nunn Dragway, 1962 USGS topo map
From looking at old aerial photos, it appears that what is today's Antelope Drive may have been the the airport runway that was used for drag racing. It seems to show darker "tire marks" at what probably was the starting line on the north part of the runway than the western end of today's Palomino Avenue, indicative of the north-south runway being used for drag racing. However that is not conclusive.
From looking at old aerial photos, it appears that what is today's Antelope Drive may have been the the airport runway that was used for drag racing. It seems to show darker "tire marks" at what probably was the starting line on the north part of the runway than the western end of today's Palomino Avenue, indicative of the north-south runway being used for drag racing. However that is not conclusive.

More in Wyoming