Ralph Galluzzi knew Lancaster Raceway was in trouble. That’s why he bought back the facility in January and quickly sold the naming rights to Buffalo-based Dunn Tire, hence the current name -- Dunn Tire Raceway Park.

Since this is a special time for the venerable facility – the track is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year - Galluzzi wanted to make sure it wasn’t the last year souped-up vehicles would roar down the drag strip or stock cars race around the oval tracks. With seating capacity for 6,000 fans, DTRP is a vital part of the area’s sports and entertainment community.

According to the facility’s web site the Park is home to three paved tracks - an 1/8-mile IHRA-sanctioned drag strip and 5/8 and 1/10-mile asphalt ovals. In addition, construction on a 350-foot mud drag, rock climbing course, and mud bog will commence this year and be completed in 2009. These features will be NMRO sanctioned.

As mentioned, this is Galluzzi’s second go-round as owner of the facility. He originally bought the former Lancaster Raceway in 2000 and subsequently sold it to Jim Reid in 2004.

“It’s like I’ve been on a long vacation,” Galluzzi said. “I basically brought the track back to life. It would’ve been closed this year if I hadn’t bought it back.  I’ve been working on building a quarter-mile drag strip at another site, but I didn’t want to see this one close and then try to build that cliental all over again.”

Selling the naming rights to Dunn Tire has meant a big influx of money for Galluzzi, money he is funneling into the Park to make much-needed improvements.

So far, they’ve added a Super Pro pit, which is completely blacktopped. There’s a 20-by-60 burnout pit, a new concrete pad off the starting line, new fencing, new fencing in the food court, hired food service to run concessions, and full-service bar.

Speaking of food, one great reason to come to Dunn Tire Raceway Park is for the famous JD Ranch Burger. It’s made from a secret recipe that is more than 50 years old. Nobody has a ranch burger like we do,” Galluzzi said.

As for the other improvements to the Park, the drag tower has been remodeled with new windows, siding, and air conditioning, among other features.

“He’s given the whole place a facelift,” said Glenn Hughes, husband of the Park’s Drag Coordinator, Sharron Hughes. Sharron was out of town at the time of the interview.

The Park commands a prime location at 57 Gunnville Road in the Buffalo suburb of Lancaster, New York.  It borders the New York State Thruway and is clearly visible from I-90.

“We’re right on the thruway, almost 100 feet from I-90,” Galluzzi said. “The location is like being in the city. It’s so centrally located. We’re closer to Canada than anybody out there.”

The location also serves local racers as well.

“Everyone lives within 20 minutes of the track. It’s right in everybody’s backyard,” Hughes said. “It’s better to be this close than an hour or two away, especially if there’s a rainout or weather delay.”

When the weather cooperates, the drag strip will be used quite often this year.

“We’re doing more drag racing than stock car racing, beginning this year,” Galluzzi said.

In fact, April 27 was the kickoff to Dunn Tire Raceway Park’s season – the Ironman Classic presented by Drag Review Magazine.

One of the biggest events of the season is the Sunday Niagara Nostalgia Drags – one of the largest Nostalgia Drags Racing shows in the country.

“Biggest nostalgia race east of the Mississippi,” Hughes said. “We get about 300 competitors and 400-500 show cars each year. It got so big they had to stretch it out to three days.”

Galluzzi said the event, which has been in existence for 15 years, wouldn’t happen without a lot of help.

“I’m really the one that implemented the three days,” he said. “Jim Reid benefited by it. Dick Collins was very, very helpful in setting up the Nostalgia. Without him, we wouldn't have had it. The Clutch Artist Club has been instrumental in helping us throughout the year as well.”
According to the Web site, Dunn Tire Raceway Park runs close to 100 events yearly:

n    Weekly regular events - Tuesday, Friday , Saturday, and Sunday IHRA drag racing Along with Saturday Stock Racing (see schedule on Web site for details)
n    Special events at the track include: equipment auctions, car shows, track rentals, Swap Meets, The new Art of Drifting, Motorcycle Free Style, Demo Derbies, Monster Trucks, Homecoming, Pro Mod Drag Racing, Funny Cars, Nitro Nights, Live Nation IHRA, Thunder Jam, Sunday Niagara Nostalgia Drags (one of the largest Nostalgia Drags Racing shows in the country), US open, Firework Shows, Skydivers, ROC Modifieds, Motorcycle bike blast and more. Several of events held at this Park are nationally known.
n    Classes of cars that participate at Dunn Tire Raceway Park are as follows:
OVAL: Four-Cylinder stock, TQ's Street Stock V8's, Super Stocks, SST Modifieds, Late Models, NASCAR Type Modifieds, Vintage Stock cars and Cup Lites.
DRAGS: Motorcycles, Snowmobiles, all IHRA bracket classes, Jet Cars, Funny Cars, Pro Mods, Nostalgia, import, Wheel standers, and Street legal cars.

For more information on the track visit the Web site at www.dunntireracewaypark.com. The track office phone is 716-759-6818.

Galluzzi said he and his staff are working diligently to make a good presentation of their park. In fact, they back it up in the Big G Guarantee.

The Web site states: “We will do our best to always satisfy our customers by resolving your issues on the spot. Just go to our customer service office located at the main gate and explain your situation. We will do all we can do to help you. The Galluzzi family stands behind the Big G Guarantee.”

“I’m there to help my customers any way I can. I guarantee it,” Galluzzi said.