Motion Raceway is a drag strip

Drag strip

Drag strip may refer to:*Dragstrip, track used for drag racing*Drag Strip , Transformer character who is one of the Stunticons*Videocart-9: Drag Strip, drag racing videogame released in 1976-See also:*Dover Drag Strip...

 that operated from 1970 until 1983. It was located in Assumption Township

Assumption Township, Christian County, Illinois

Assumption Township is one of seventeen townships in Christian County, Illinois, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,509.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Assumption Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:...

 approximately 3 miles north of Assumption, Illinois

Assumption, Illinois

Assumption is a city in Christian County, Illinois, United States. The population was 1,168 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Assumption is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all of it land.-Demographics:...

, in Christian County, Illinois

Christian County, Illinois

Christian County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 34,800, which is a decrease of 1.6% from 35,372 in 2000...

 and 1.1 miles west of U.S. Route 51

U.S. Route 51

U.S. Route 51 is a north–south United States highway that runs for 1,286 miles from the western suburbs of New Orleans, Louisiana to within of the Wisconsin-Michigan border. Much of the highway in Illinois and southern Wisconsin runs parallel to or overlaps Interstate 39...

.

History

John Jones owned and operated Motion Raceway from its very beginnings. Operating from 1970 until its demise in 1983, The track was originally a quarter-mile strip but moved to a 1,000-ft configuration when its 3,000-ft total length became insufficient. Motion Raceway hosted both NHRA

National Hot Rod Association

The National Hot Rod Association is a drag racing governing body, which sets rules in drag racing and host events all over the United States and Canada...

 and IHRA

International Hot Rod Association

The International Hot Rod Association, also known as IHRA, is the 2nd largest drag racing sanctioning body after the NHRA.-The Carrier Era:The IHRA was formed in November 1970 by businessman Larry Carrier. Throughout this period the organization was operated primarily in the south-eastern United...

 National Events, and drew nationally known names such as Don Garlits

Don Garlits

Donald Glenn "Don" Garlits is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C...

 and Shirley Muldowney

Shirley Muldowney

Shirley Muldowney , also known professionally as "Cha Cha" Muldowney and the "First Lady of Drag Racing", is a pioneer in professional auto racing. She was the first woman to receive a license from the National Hot Rod Association to drive a top fuel dragster...

.

After the 1983 season, the track was closed, the stands were removed, as was the fuel island. The Hemi-powered in-ground starter for the cars was removed, and filled in. Later, Motion's tower was moved a short distance north to Macon Speedway

Macon Speedway

Macon Speedway, located in Macon, Illinois is one of Illinois premier dirt ovals. It is also one of the longest continuous operating racetracks in the state.- History :...

, in Macon, Illinois

Macon, Illinois

Macon is a city in Macon County, Illinois, United States whose population was 1,213 at the 2000 census, and 1,128 at a 2009 estimate. It is included in the Decatur, Illinois Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...

.

Several rumors circulated over the years as to the reason for the track's demise. Arguably the most popular was that the owner was robbed of the purse money at gunpoint. There were also rumors almost every year since the track's closing, that it would be re-opening the following year, or later in the year.

Today

For several years (up until 2008), the track itself had been used for grain storage by Moweaqua Farmer's Co-Op. They would lay the grain on the track, and cover it with tarps until it could be moved into the elevator. The town of Moweaqua, in Shelby County, Illinois is approximately 5 miles north of Motion Raceway.

Plans had been in place for Motion Raceway to be re-opened. May 3, 2008, was to see racing return to Motion Raceway. Greg Clayton of New Covenant Performance, who was to be in charge of the racing, posted on his website a statement that plans had fallen through. He had secured insurance, but both policy submissions were rejected by the owners of the property. It was also stated that people had entered the property at night, and had caused damage to the property.

External links

• http://www.ncperformanceinc.com/races.htm