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Pacific Raceways, host of the annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Nationals, will begin construction on a new racing surface that will include a redesign of the all-concrete starting line area, it was announced by track officials.

The repaving project will begin with a ceremony at Pacific Raceways at 10 a.m., Jan. 17, which is open to the public. Current NHRA driver Bucky Austin and former racing great Dick Kalivoda will be the last pair of drivers to use the current track as they race two excavation tractors down the drag strip for the last time. The two NHRA drivers will then return to the starting line area and begin the repaving process by uprooting the current concrete launch pad.

"We are very excited about resurfacing the track and the opportunity it brings to offer world-class drag racing to our fans," said Pacific Raceways President Jason Fiorito. "This is an expensive project and we couldn't have done it without sponsors who are committed to having the finest drag racing in the Pacific Northwest at Pacific Raceways. Our thanks to all of our sponsors for their assistance in making this project a reality. We encourage all of our drag strip fans to support our sponsors."

Picturesque Pacific Raceways will have a new surface before the NHRA returns in July. Racers Edge Photography

The first 700 feet of the current track will be removed so a new concrete launch pad can be laid down in both lanes. The surface will provide greater traction for NHRA competitors when they compete at the 14th of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series, July 23-25. Tickets for the July event will be on sale at the ceremony.

Ironically, former Top Fuel racer Kalivoda was the first driver to ever take a fuel car down the drag strip at Pacific Raceways and now will be involved in the last pass down the original quarter-mile. Kalivoda, father of Top Fuel racer Brady Kalivoda, was inducted into the NHRA Northwest Division Hall of Fame in December 2003.

Austin is a Top Alcohol Funny Car idol in the Pacific Northwest and around the country. The Fife, Wash., resident is a six-time Northwest Division champion in his category and his 17 career victories places him among the all-time leaders in event wins.

Headquartered in Glendora, Calif., the NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States. It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. The NHRA has 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. The NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. The NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series, NHRA Summit Sport Compact Drag Racing Series and the NHRA Street Legal Program. The NHRA also offers the NHRA O'Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.