Route 66 drag racing might be back on

One of the organizers for a drag-racing event in Tucumcari said he is optimistic he still can host an event on Route 66 in October 2025 - with a state senator's help - before a bigger event during the highway's centennial in 2026.

Those developments were revealed during a visit Thursday by state Sen. Pete Campos (D-Las Vegas) at Quay County Democratic Party headquarters in Tucumcari. About 25 people - many of them business owners or local officials - attended.

Campos, who has served in the state senate for 33 years and is its most senior member, is running unopposed for another term. His District 8 encompasses all or part of seven counties, including Tucumcari's north side.

Doug Woodward, an organizer for the drag-racing event, said he has abandoned an earlier idea of a "soft" event in April 2025 because there is not enough time to get it together.

Instead, Woodward said it would be in October 2025 on Route 66 on the city's west side. Racers would go east toward Camino de Coronado Road.

He initially wanted it on East Route 66, but the New Mexico Department of Transportation turned it down, citing liability concerns.

Campos said he could help Woodward with permitting on West Route 66 in the city, but he cautioned that such events need about a year of planning.

The proposed Tucumcari drag-racing event is patterned after the annual Kingman Route 66 Street Drags in Kingman, Arizona.

Woodward said promoters have reached out to him, estimating the Tucumcari event could draw 20,000 people over three days.

He said promoters have questioned whether the city has enough lodging and restaurants for such an event. But he said communities such as Clovis and Santa Rosa also could benefit, noting race fans aren't hesitant about driving significant distances.

"The state would benefit from this. I"m just one guy with an idea, and I'm trying to make it happen," Woodward said.

Campos asked to include him in Woodward's next Zoom videoconference meeting with prospective promoters.

Tucumcari Mayor Pro Tem Jerry Lopez said the senator could help organizers make infrastructure improvements to the road and obtain safety barriers.

The senator said Woodward and the promoters "need to sell this at the community level" to ensure its success.

Woodward later said the 2025 event probably would be capped at 100 or 150 cars.

Al Patel, a member of the city's Lodgers Tax Advisory Board and an owner of a motel, said 28 business operators provided signatures in support of the event.

Other items of discussion during Campos' visit:

- Quay County manager Daniel Zamora said the county will need to conduct another financial feasibility study before the U.S. Department of Agriculture approves $20 million in funding to build a new Trigg Memorial Hospital in Tucumcari.

The county wants a new hospital adjacent to the current one. Trigg Memorial Hospital, built in 1960s, has growing problems with its plumbing, electrical and other infrastructure.

Zamora said the feasibility study will require another six to eight months. He said he could ask for an extension to spend the $10 million in state funding for the project but was disinclined to do so, citing rising costs if construction is delayed.

Zamora said the county would fund the last 10% of the design for the hospital, adding: "This community will make sure it happens."

Campos agreed with the sentiment to not wait on the project, noting the hospital "is in jeopardy of costing more money."

After the meeting, Campos said he was open to using nonrecurring state funds for the project.

- Regarding capital outlay funds, city manager Paula Chacon told Campos the city's west-side sewer lines need upgrades for a possible development at the closed Tucumcari Truck Terminal site.

Also, Chacon said the sewer lift station at Date Street is at capacity and needs an upgrade if a TA Travel Center is built at South Mountain Road.

- Matt Monahan, creator of the Art City development northwest of town, thanked Campos for his support in shepherding funding for the closed Princess Theatre.

Monahan said a task force for the theater spent $200,000 to remove lead and asbestos from the venue and another $50,000 to draft a plan for facade improvements and a financial feasibility plan.

He said he would ask Campos for "incremental capital" to keep the project going so it eventually could reopen as a 700-seat performing arts venue.

"I like that approach," Campos said of incremental funds, noting it is easier to get $100,000 in capital outlay money than $1 million.

- Monahan said lines for the Liberty Mutual Domestic Water Association near the Art City development are at capacity and need upgrades.

- Zamora, noting Chacon's coming retirement from the city next month, thanked her for her service.

"No one has worked with the community more than you," he said to applause.