Good News York EP.177 | Gary Simons from Esta Safety Park Dragstrip
Welcome back to Good News York, the show that shines a light on the amazing people, places, and stories right here in Central New York! In this episode, host Noah Chrysler sits down with Gary Simons, manager of Esta Safety Park Dragstrip in Cicero, NY — a legendary quarter-mile drag strip that has been a cornerstone of the local racing community since 1960.
Gary takes us behind the scenes of what it truly takes to run a family-owned dragstrip, from resurfacing the track every single week to managing the community of passionate racers and volunteers who make it all possible. With nearly 25 years at the track — starting as a fan leaning on the fence, becoming a 13-year announcer, and now serving as manager — Gary’s love for the sport is absolutely infectious.
We cover everything from how drag racing actually works (bracket racing, ETs, the Christmas tree, and more), to the types of cars you might see blazing down the quarter-mile (street cars, dragsters, motorcycles, and sleds!), to the growing challenge of keeping the sport affordable in today’s economy. Gary also shares his thoughts on street drag racing and how Esta Safety Park is working to bring that culture onto the track in a safe and exciting way.
Whether you’re a lifelong gearhead or someone who’s never seen a drag race in your life, this episode will make you want to head out to Cicero and see it for yourself!
🏁 Esta Safety Park Dragstrip — 8091 Eastwood Road, Cicero, NY
🌐 www.estadrags.com
📘 Facebook: Esta Safety Park Dragstrip
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Chapters:
0:00 – Cold open & intro
0:20 – Welcome to Good News York | Meet Gary Simons
1:10 – What is Esta Safety Park Dragstrip?
2:20 – Types of cars you’ll see racing
4:41 – How track resurfacing works (yes, they put rubber down!)
8:26 – Bracket racing explained: driver, car, or luck?
14:36 – How the drag racing industry has changed over the years
19:26 – Street drag racing & Gary’s approach to bringing it to the track
24:29 – Upcoming events & schedule
29:22 – Closing thoughts & outro
Good News York is filmed at ClickStream Studios in Syracuse, NY. New episodes drop regularly — subscribe so you never miss one!
