Atco Dragway announces permanent closure after 63 years in South Jersey

ATCO, New Jersey (WPVI) -- Atco Dragway, the home for many car enthusiasts in South Jersey, says it is permanently closing after 63 years.

The Camden County race track made the announcement on Facebook Tuesday night.

"We will not be open from this point on. The remainder of our schedule for 2023 will be canceled. Thank you all for your patronage and memories over the years," read a statement.

The drag strip was built on Jackson Road in 1959 and officially opened on Memorial Day the next year.

It was the oldest drag strip in New Jersey.

Just last weekend, the 29th annual Pan American Nationals were held at the track.

"Special thank you to our 29th annual Pan American Nationals racers & crowd for making Atco Dragway's last event the biggest and best one ever. This isn't the end for import racing in the northeast!" the statement continued.

In 2020, a Change.org petition was created after reports indicated the track might become a storage facility and auction site.

Further details on what prompted the closure have not been released.

Atco Dragway and owner Len Capone could not be reached for further comment on the abrupt closure.

"Just like that, it's gone," stated Rey Pagan with Elite Tuner New Jersey, an automotive media group that organizes exclusive car shows.

Events were scheduled at the track through the end of the year, which are now canceled.

"Logistically, it's been a nightmare because we have invested thousands," said Pagan.

The closure suddenly leaves Elite Tuner scrambling to accommodate its "End of Year Closer" crowd of roughly 5,000 people.

The event was scheduled to take place at the drag strip on October 15.

"We thank them for what they've done now. Although we didn't get much of an explanation, it's up to us now to explain to the community," said Pagan.

"This whole thing was kept hush-hush and quiet. And we don't know what's going on," said Marc from Atco, New Jersey.

While neighbors wonder what's next for the area, they still reminisce on the fond memories they had at the track.

"I used to come down here as a teenager, now I'm almost 70," said Bill Dube from Atco.

Surrounding the dragway are New Jersey Pinelands. Officials with the New Jersey Pinelands Commission say they have not received any new applications for development on the site.