Atmore Dragstrip in Alabama Announces Closing, and It Could Be Permanent
Getting its start with paperwork in November of 1975, Atmore Dragway has seen nearly five decades of racing action under three different sanctioning bodies, multiple owners and managers, and has hosted everything from national events, to Gassers, Pro Mods, bracket racing and no-prep in 2025.
Originally the vision of Bessie Owens, Amelia Owens, Robert Owens and Travis Gary in 1975, the eighth-mile track in Atmore, Alabama now under the name of Atmore Dragstrip could face an unknown future. Current ambassadors Joey and Misty Barber announced the closure of the track at the end of 2025, and it sounds like it could be permanent.
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“January 1st, I will be out of there, and Atmore will be closing permanently,” said Joey during a Facebook Live session on Halloween evening. “We’ve heard all kind of rumors. The road stops here.”
Joey and Misty had been heading up the track for the last four years, and Misty elaborated a little further about their time with the track in a Facebook post on Sunday, November 2nd, 2025:
“This is one of the hardest posts I think I ever had to write, and honestly, I never thought I would have to. This is so heartbreaking the. decision to close the gates at Atmore Dragstrip! I haven't said much cause I really didn't know what to say so here it goes:
I want to take a moment to say thank you to everyone who has supported us through the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. Whether you’ve been with us from the start or joined us along the way, please know that your love, your encouragement, and your presence have meant the world to us.
Over the last four years, we have poured our hearts, souls, and everything we had into this track. This place has been more than just a racetrack to us, it’s been our second home, JOEY'S passion, and a huge part of our lives. We’ve spent days, nights, and weekends here, working behind the scenes to make sure everything was just right even when people didn’t see the long hours and sacrifices that went into keeping the gates open.
I’ve watched my husband lose sleep night after night, working tirelessly to make this place the very best it could be. He’s given every ounce of energy he had and then some for this track, for the racers, and for this community. It’s taken a toll on him, both physically and emotionally. Watching his health decline and seeing him carry the weight of the world on his shoulders, trying to please everyone and make this place thrive, has absolutely broken my heart. He truly loved this track with everything in him, and it hurts deeply to see him hurting now.
This decision to close wasn’t made overnight. It comes after fighting through so many challenges from rising costs to constant negativity, criticism, and bashing from people who don’t understand what it really takes to run a track like this. It’s easy for folks to point fingers or complain, but very few truly know what goes on behind the scenes the long hours, the financial strain, and the endless dedication it takes just to keep things going.
We are walking away with our heads held high, because we know, without a doubt, that we gave it our all. We poured every bit of our hearts into making sure every racer, spectator, and fan who came through those gates felt welcome, appreciated, and loved. That was always our goal to make Atmore Dragstrip a home away from home.
What hurts the most is knowing how many people have made memories here, families, friends, racers, kids who grew up watching from the stands and feeling like we’ve let you down. Please know that was never our intention. Sometimes, no matter how much love and effort you give, the weight of it all just becomes too heavy to carry alone.
To our supporters, our racing family, and everyone who ever stood by us thank you. You’ve been our strength, our reason to keep pushing forward, and our greatest blessing. Some of you have become more than just familiar faces you’ve become family to us. We’ll never forget your kindness, your laughter, and your loyalty through all the ups and downs.
And to everyone who came through those gates I’ll miss being there to greet you, smiling and cutting up with y’all before the racing started. That gate was my favorite place to be, because I got to welcome you “home” to your place of racing. Those moments, those conversations, those smiles I’ll treasure them forever.
Atmore Dragstrip may be closing, but the love, the memories, and the friendships we’ve built here will never fade. We are proud of what we’ve accomplished, and we leave knowing we gave it everything we had.
From the bottom of our hearts thank you for four unforgettable years. Thank you for letting us be part of your lives and your racing memories. We love each and every one of you, and we’ll carry a piece of this track and all of you with us always.”
If the track is indeed closing, it marks the end of a facility that saw sanctioning under the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA), and the World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA – the track’s current sanctioning body.
It would also bring the number of sanctioned drag strips in Alabama to seven – three with IHRA sanctioning, and four under the WDRA umbrella.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Atmore Dragstrip.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com