‘All revved up with no place to go’: Car enthusiasts advocate for drag strip in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Car enthusiasts in Lincoln are renewing a call for a designated space to race after the city’s new ordinance cracking down on street racing.

Almost 19 years ago, a permit for a drag strip on 159 acres near Highway 77 and Branched Oak Road was denied by the Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission.

The commission said it did not fit the definition of a recreational facility.

SEE ALSO: Auto shop owner agrees with Lincoln racing rule but says it won’t stop the noise

Chad Fegley — the owner of The Shop, Inc. — was a part of the effort back in 2006.

“It was hugely disappointing,” he said Wednesday.

Fegley said an impact found that it would bring in millions of dollars every year.

“It would’ve been huge for the whole area, and it got shut down,” he said.

SEE ALSO: Lincoln City Council approves crackdown on street racing

Fegley said having a designated area for drivers would be incredible for the community.

“It’d be huge,” Fegley said. “Not only could there be drag racing, but motor sports in general. You could go there and just have a safe place to do auto crossing, drag racing, road racing or burnouts. Just something that keeps them off the street and makes them safe.”

And with the new nuisance vehicle ordinance in place, Fegley said now is as good a time as ever to put efforts into a drag strip.

“I feel like those that have tried it in the past might be sour to it just because they tried so hard before, but you just got to keep trying,” he said.