National Drag Boat Association will call Oklahoma City home

“The Oklahoma River, America's best liquid speedway, is just one reason that NDBA now calls Oklahoma City home,” said Mike McAuliffe, president and chief executive officer of the NDBA and OKC Motorsports, which hosts events in several major cities.

The recessed Oklahoma River provides a natural wind screen for safer racing, as well as great viewing for race fans from start to finish, McAuliffe said.

“It's the perfect site for drag boat racing,” McAuliffe said.

The low water dam system controls river levels and water flow, so there is little or no current to challenge the racers. The Chesapeake Tower is designed to handle all race operations, including television production, and there are plans to erect a windscreen the length of the racecourse on the south shoreline.

Stadium style lighting is currently being installed along the river and will offer the only lighted racecourse in the country for drag boat racing.

“The race teams also like Oklahoma City's central location, easy highway access, affordable hotels near the race site and the fact the site is in walking distance to the Bricktown Entertainment District,” McAuliffe said.