A drag strip with a whole lot of history in New Alexandria, Pa, Keystone Raceway may be headed into its final weekend as it has been sold by the Tedesco family and many are reporting that it will likely become a data center.
Racer Gregory Shuniak sent along the following about his beloved track –
Drag bike racer Mike Helgert at Keystone Raceway
As our racing community celebrated the conclusion of an incredible 2026 season, we are writing to you today both to express our immense pride in representing The North Central Division and to advocate for the long term preservation of our historic track, Keystone Motorsports Park ( New Alexandria,Pa.)
Keystones legacy as a cornerstone of grassroots drag racing spans nearly six decades, dating back to 1967. The legacy of excellence was put on full display when team Keystone traveled to the NHRA Summit Racing Series Division 3 Bracket Finals and walked away with the team championship. Out-performing the regions fiercest competitors, proved what we have always known; Keystone Motorsports Park is a premier incubation ground for world -class bracket racing talent, backed by the most dedicated racing community in the country.
Keystone Raceway Drag Bike
However, our facility represents something even larger than championship-caliber drag racing. It stands as a premier example of how modern Motorsports can successfully coexist, and actively protect, local ecological systems and habitats. For several consecutive years, a pair of Federally Protected Migratory Ospreys have chosen our spectator parking lot light pole as their permanent summer breeding territory. Showing nest fidelity, these magnificent raptors return each spring season. They have recently built a second, “alternative” nest, on an adjacent pole. Expanding their footprint and colonizing the habitat. Despite the full volume roar of high-horsepower bracket cars, funny cars, top fuel and jet dragsters, along with thousands of fans, these apex predators are completely unbothered by track operations. They have chosen our facility over the surrounding wilderness because it provides a safe ,stable, and elevated sanctuary.
We are pitching this incredible story to national and local media outlets to showcase the true heart of NHRA championship drag-racing. ” Thunder on the Track, Sanctuary on our Lot.” We are proving that preserving historic drag strips like Keystone secures a 60 year sporting heritage and an established colonized ecological habitat.
The Elder Jack Korpela and Ron “Rat” Tornow – two buddies who grew up racing at Keystone Raceway Park
As our Leading Local News source, we ask for your advisory backing, your voice, and the stations advocacy in assisting us demonstrate to the new property owner and local zoning board, that Keystone Motorsports Park must remain an active sanctioned raceway. We would love to share photos of our Osprey Colony and our D3 Championship Team with National Dragster to highlight this incredible story on the national stage.
Thank you for your tireless dedication on this matter. We look forward to keeping the Thunder alive at Keystone for generations to come.
Sincerely,
The Racers of Keystone Motorsports Park.
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