Drag-racing event on Route 66 proposed

Members of the Tucumcari Lodgers Tax Advisory Board greeted with enthusiasm the prospect of a drag-racing event on east Route 66 during the highway's centennial in 2026.

Doug Woodward and Bill Delaney told the board they want to organize a Tucumcari version of the annual Kingman Route 66 Street Drags in Kingman, Arizona, in September or October 2026, which would be during the 100th anniversary of Route 66.

Woodward said the Tucumcari event would take place on Route 66 east of the vacant Kmart building.

The Kingman Route 66 Street Drags is described as "the largest legal street races in the world." The three-day ticketed event closes a one-eighth-mile stretch of Route 66 and features races by up to 300 muscle cars or motorcycles.

Woodward said the last Kingman event drew 13,000 spectators. Kingman's 35 motels saw an additional $80,000 in revenue from the event, he said.

Woodward said the Tucumcari event would have a firmer date once they know the date of a similar event in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Woodward said he wasn't yet asking for lodgers tax aid but wanted to gauge how much support such an event would have from board members.

They voiced support without reservation.

"I think the idea is great," Chairman Matt Bednorz said. "It's a win-win for the City of Tucumcari."

Board members Al Patel, Michael Carlson and Tonya Rigdon each called it "a great idea."

Patel suggested "a soft event" for drag racing on Route 66 in 2025.

"If we can make it in 2025, I'm all for it," Patel said.

Woodward signaled he was receptive to that idea.

Bednorz said organizers would have to obtain permits from the New Mexico Department of Transportation and clear other logistical hurdles.

Mayor Mike Cherry, the board's liaison, suggested an information packet on the event's requirements and perhaps a work session to further discuss it.

The board unanimously approved a motion to support the Tucumcari drag-racing proposal.

In other business:

- The board reluctantly deferred a $25,000 aid request from Matt Monahan to help publicize his Art City complex on the city's northwest side.

Bednorz said granting the request likely would violate the state's anti-donation clause.

Monahan, who earlier this year built the large-scale sculpture park, RV park and events center on 40 acres, said he wants to spend a total of $50,000 on eight billboards and social media campaigns for Art City. He asked for $25,000 in lodgers tax funds to cover some of that cost.

Bednorz said he was supportive of Art City but feared granting such a request to a private business would violate state law. Bednorz noted, however, the city commission might grant Local Economic Development Act funds for such an initiative.

Bednorz suggested Monahan submit a more complete report on the billboard placements and its ad copy to the city commission in September.

"Your idea is great," Bednorz said.

"I think it's a great idea," Rigdon agreed. "What you've done so far is awesome."

Carlson added: "It's incredible what you and others are doing."

- Local artist Jim Livingston informed the board of his planned "I Am RT 66" initiative where he plans an art show on much of the 2,400 miles of Route 66, with a big one in his home base of Tucumcari.

He said he planned to take the art show along Route 66 from March to October 2026, during the centennial.

The ongoing "I Am RT 66" project, which includes photographs of key Route 66 figures with handwritten notes about their thoughts, hopes and dreams, now can be accomplished with an app, Livingston said. He said the app also would gather valuable marketing data.

Livingston did not request lodgers tax aid, as he said he might not need any for his project.

- The board recommended the reimbursement of $5,000 for the Mesalands Community College Foundation's golf tournament last month.

Tucumcari Municipal Golf Course manager Charlie Maciel said the event drew 72 participants, about the same as last year. He said two-thirds were non-residents.

The tournament generates money for scholarships at the college.

Maciel said he had an idea for the 2025 event to invite participants from past Tucumcari golf tournaments.

Patel suggested organizing another golf tournament during the tourism off-season, such as October. Maciel indicated he was agreeable to such a plan.

- During board comments, several praised the just-completed Rattler Reunion, which saw its largest crowds in several years.

Carlson said he was excited by the momentum the city was experiencing from several events and the efforts of individuals, such as the Tucumcari Tuesday volunteer cleanup crew.

"I'm very encouraged, and we have to be mindful of anything we can do to help," he said.