Capital Dragway

“Back in the day” Jim was a simple working man, and for the most, part he still is.  He’s a family man, with a loving wife of fifty years, Gloria, their daughter Kim and their grandchildren. At first glance, he seems reserved, quiet, and rarely smiles. Spend a few minutes with him, and discuss what makes him Happy and you might get a tidbit or perhaps an earful. As I talked with his family, which is what makes him happy, I learned of the stoic reserve of a man and entire family who truly “Votes Happy”.  Jim’s immediate family would be fine example of the American family. He’s been married to the same woman for fifty years, their children are fine members of the community, people you know have good family values, people who might let you inline at the store if you were in a hurry and had less items, wave you ahead in traffic, just nice people you’d be happy to meet. This happy family would be enough for a story at IVH, but the Cunningham’s have another family, an extended family, if you will, that is how they all “VOTE HAPPY”.

In the early sixties, Jim was driving a gravel truck, and providing for his family. He worked long hours and also tinkered in the garage. His daughter, Kimberly remembers her dad was at work so much that she eagerly waited for snow days, not so she could slide with the other kids or have snowball fights and hot chocolate, but so she could ride with her dad all day while he plowed snow. Time with dad was at a premium. 

In 1960 Jim had a job helping build a 1/2 mile stretch of road on a hill about a mile off of Route 3 in Crofton Maryland.   As Jim hauled gravel, for roads and construction, he saw the area surrounding it would make a great gravel pit. The two lane road was absolutely level, and neither went or came from anywhere. To most it might appear to be a small landing strip but it was and is not.  Today it’s called “Capitol Raceway” and Jim and his family has been involved with this area institution, from the beginning as a racer, to becoming the owner and passing management on to his daughter, the little girl who waited for snow days just to spend time with him. 

In the beginning races were started with the wave of a flag, Jim built the first “Christmas tree” (a series of lights, from amber to green that signal the racer when to go) from junked car headlights in 1974.  Other family members built the first electronic timing and handicap delay boxes in their garages.  Jim spent a lot of time at the track, so, of course so did Gloria and Kim.  Kim remembers quite well the night her dad took over running the track.  She was there on her first “real date”, and was hanging out (at the track, of course) some distance away from the control/announcers tower. She remembers she kept hearing her father’s last name over the loudspeaker, which wasn’t unusual, as he was very involved with the track operations as well as racing, but she couldn’t quite make out what was being said, other than “…Cunningham ..needed  …at ..” etc.  Only the next day did she learn that it was her name being called as her dad was now running the track and needed Kim to work in the tower.  And so it began, Kim’s tenure at the track, which includes everything from a reign as “Miss capitol raceway” complete with crown and sash, to a 180 mph run down the quarter mile. Jim passed management on to Kim in 1988, simply stating, “Kim, take over”.

The track has had many improvements over the years, the new aluminum grandstands are the most visual. Handwritten time slips used to come down from the second floor of the control tower in a tube, now there is a small out building and the driver is handed a printout. The track has been resurfaced; a computerized timing and data system tracks every run. Not so noticeable, to the casual observer is the fact that the tower had a third story added about 1992. It sole purpose? Well, Kim was pregnant with her first of three children, Christine. Gloria asked Jim to add the third floor, so they would have a nursery and then play area for their grandchildren. They were all going to be there, but Gloria wanted to ensure kids could be kids as well.  Likewise an Elevator was recently added to accommodate, the newest members of the family, Christine’s daughter, a bright young girl with a 1000watt smile, Joy.

 More and more we are learning that IVH means different things to different people, but it usually stays close to FAMILY! 

Not that Jim went anywhere when Kim took over the reins. He’s very involved, the gravel pit is the family business and located on the land is Jims shops. Jim races in the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) for Ford Motor Company. He races in the Pro Stock Class, cars with doors that open and at least closely resemble the Mustang or Charger they represent. His Sunday rides last about 6 seconds, reaching speeds of over 200 MPH.  He’s 73 years old and looks forward to the 2010 season, when he believes he will qualify well and WIN!  Ford Motor Company, the last American car company, is helping him accomplish that goal with engineering and parts support. And they should, as he’s been doing Research and Development for Ford for years. 

 And you can bet Gloria is still there nearly every racing night, as she has been for over forty years, welcoming the people driving in the gate to watch, to race, to enjoy. She greats many by name, she asks how their kids are, where’s their spouse tonight? etc. and they respond in kind. Next to her most nights, is her brother, Doug, taking admission and welcoming them as well.  Gloria has been on our IVH friend’s page, with a link to Capitol Raceway since I was first honored to meet her. She didn’t hesitate when I asked her makes her happy, “Doing this right here, and my family!”

You see, Capitol Raceway, is a “family”, and people come from far and wide to race, yes, but also to see the friends they have made over the years.  Walk around the pits on race day and you can easily meet people who have been racing here, not for ten or twenty years, but for FORTY years. Younger drivers have “Only” been racing 10 years, or so, having grown up, literally, at the track.  Others are there for the first time, eager to watch, or to race their pride and joy or maybe Mom’s grocery-getter(Sorry, Mom!). They come because it makes them happy! They love racing, and Capitol Raceway. Many know the entire Cunningham family. Kim has three children, Christine, Amanda and Steve; they all have or do work at the track.  Christine states it best, “The racers are my family, I’ve known them my whole life, I met my husband here, and 90% of the people at my wedding were from the track!” Many folks have a story of how they were helped in their racing by the Cunningham’s or others at the track. The track announcer, Mr. Bill Tolsen, loves racing and even more loves announcing each race from his seat in the control tower. He’s been doing this for capital Raceway for the last nine Years.  It makes him happy, and you can tell in his voice, as he announces each pass with the excitement of a person doing it for the first time.

Oh yes, it’s fun, but make no mistake this is a highly competitive, Octane charged, Adrenaline fueled event: Everyone wants their friends to do well, just not when racing against them.

The Happy faces and good time start with a smile and warm greeting from Gloria and Doug, continue thru the Pledge of Allegiance, into the  burnouts and wheel stands,  the winners and losers, every weekend from March thru mid November, as hundreds and sometimes thousands “VOTE HAPPY” in their lives.

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