More Tales of Kahoka

Since my writing for DRO began in January of 2010, we have searched everywhere for photos of racing action at Tri State Dragway, located one mile from town at the Clark County Fairgrounds. What we wanted here is a photo of Jerry Childress’ ‘Bold Venture’ and me, driving the ‘711 Coup’, in the final for Top Eliminator at the first Kahoka Drag Race, June 14, 1960. No such photos have been located.

It was very close at the finish.  My homemade ’32 Ford coup with the motor from my 1958 Pontiac just edged out Jerry’s ‘29 Ford sedan powered by a Latham blown 283 Chevy. I got by far the best of it, sliding to a stop, but not rolling over. Jerry, however, ran off the track, rolled on his side and stopped in a manure pile from the horse racing barns.  UGH!

After just one race, we knew we required additional ‘shut off’ area.

Tri State Dragway, Kahoka, Mo. 2013: Burlington, Iowa resident, Ken Chenoweth sent this recent photo he captured of the end of Tri State Dragway today. This was the original fairground property line, which as stated above was woefully insufficient. After a few feet of gravel, is the present alignment of the US Highway 136 Kahoka Bypass.