Legends were Made at Lions Drag Strip

Before stadium lights and corporate sponsors, Southern California had the Lions Drag Strip, a gritty, roaring slice of motorsport history that ran from 1955 to 1972 in Wilmington, near Long Beach.

Back then, Friday and Saturday nights weren’t about Netflix; they were about nitro. Fans crowded the stands, the smell of burnt rubber filled the air, and some of the fastest quarter mile runs in history were laid down on that strip of asphalt. It wasn’t just a racetrack; it was a proving ground for legends.

Drag racing icons like Don “The Snake” Prudhomme, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, and Shirley “Cha Cha” Muldowney all thundered down Lions. It became known as the “Beach” of drag racing, a place where horsepower and heart settled scores.

But what made Lions truly special was its community. It was run by local car clubs and volunteers, with proceeds going to the Lions Club charities. For racers and fans alike, it wasn’t about big money; it was about passion, pride, and speed.

Though Lions closed in 1972, its legacy is still alive. Old photos, race posters, and vintage tees keep the spirit burning. For those who were there, it was more than drag racing; it was raw Americana, wide open at full throttle.

So when you throw on a Lions Drag Strip tee, you’re not just wearing a shirt; you’re wearing a piece of history that once shook Southern California to its core.