Collaboration with NHRA Motorsports Museum Recalls Pomona’s Drag Racing Roots
Commemorating 60 years of drag racing in Pomona, the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum and the dba256 Galley/Wine Bar, in downtown Pomona, are pleased to present “Pomona Drags” – an exhibit of early drag racing in Pomona. It opens to the public this Saturday, Feb. 12, at 5 p.m. during the popular Art Walk in downtown Pomona. The exhibit will be displayed only for a month, through March 12.
“Pomona Drags” examines the beginning of drag racing in Pomona which led to the formation of the first motorsports sanctioning body, the National Hot Rod Association in 1951. The Pomona Police Department, specifically Chief Ralph Parker and Officer Bud Coons, were instrumental in founding drag racing at the Los Angeles County Fairgrounds under the banner of the Pomona Valley Timing Association. The first NHRA sanctioned drag race was held at Pomona in April, 1953. Several large-scale photographic images depicting the birth and rise of drag racing in Pomona will be displayed including artifacts and memorabilia from National DRAGSTER and the Wally presented by the Automobile Club of Southern California.
This sounds like a great diversion for anyone visiting the area for the Winternationals, which kicks off Feb. 24. The dba256 Gallery/Wine Bar is located in the historic Arts Colony in downtown Pomona, on the corner of Third and Main. The address is 256 S. Main Street, Pomona. Their Web site is: www.dba256.com and the phone number is 909-623-7600.