There are talks of a combined event this fall with Eagle Field Runway Drags and another IHRA-member track soon to be announced. Rocky Phillips, the drag racing coordinator at Eagle Field, was one who talked to Gonzalez about the benefits of joining the IHRA.

“Rocky Phillips mentioned it to me and I’m really excited about it,” Gonzalez said. “My racers that race here at Mendota thought being a part of IHRA was a good idea. I’ve been in tire business 30 years and one of the things is you always have to improve and make things better. With everything, it’s about safety first.” 

Gonzalez has been working with the city of Mendota to make each race at the former William Robert Johnston Municipal Airport a great event for those who share his passion. Officials at the city, known as the “Cantaloupe Capital of the World,” have been supportive of his efforts, and the local police association operates concessions.

The track, located 30 miles west of Fresno, has seen competitors from San Francisco to Sacramento to Bakersfield turn out for the races, which have included heads-up, small tire events. Gonzalez has been working hard at the drag strip to make improvements over the past year. They’ve included installing concrete barriers all the way down a quarter-mile on one side and a Port-a-tree timing system.

Gonzalez is also working on landscaping to make the property more even appealing to those visiting the facility. 

Click here to check out the Mendota Raceway Park’s Facebook page. For the racers, it’s quick and easy to become an IHRA member. You can click here for the IHRA membership center or call 85.JOIN.IHRA where our friendly IHRA membership coordinator Heather Roth can help you get signed up and ready to go.