Florida’s Immokalee Regional Raceway hosted a packed house for their most recent Winter Series at the conclusion of 2025, and it very well might be the track’s last string of December events, at least at its current location.
Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #199, the Interview Issue, in March/April 2026.
Dragstrip founder Ralph Hester always knew the track’s days were numbered, having been constructed on airport-owned land and given a 10-year lease back in 1999. The fact that Hester just kicked off his 27th season is remarkable, although it looks like the party might be over by mid-year. The neighboring airport is fully anticipating building new hangers where the dragstrip is located, and it’s a project that’s been delayed twice, which is how the dragstrip continues to operate. Barring any more delays, the track is set to close permanently at the end of May 2026.
Hester has solid backing from his existing sponsors, and he’s currently looking for another location in Immokalee to construct another dragstrip and keep the good times rolling. “Everything here that you see can be moved, including the tower. I just need some land so I can move the track and reopen it,” says Hester. And if the attendance of his most recent Winter Series is any indication, the crowds will surely follow. “We had a huge tent and we served 250 steaks one night at the first race, and 250 plates of BBQ the following week.”
Hester has always placed hospitality high on the list when it comes to his long-standing success as a track owner/manager. The entire community benefits from the influx of out-of-town racers coming to Immokalee, and the restaurant owners tell Ralph their business doubles when he’s hosting his big events.
As for the racing schedule this year, there’s plenty of action planned for what is expected to be the shortest season on record. With no time to spare, Immokalee presented the “New Years On The Strip” event to kick off the first weekend of 2026, and as expected, the pits were full. Immokalee then launched the bracket points series with a double-header the following week. While the points program usually goes all the way into October, they’re going to have to settle with a dozen point races slated from January to May, unless of course, the airport’s hanger project gets delayed once again.
In addition to the bracket racing, no-prep has also been a popular attraction in recent years, although nothing has surprised Hester more than the attendance of a truck series that Immokalee began hosting not too long ago. “They don’t have many trucks, but they pack the place out whenever they’re here,” says Hester. At a recent truck meet, all 28 food vendors on-site sold completely out of food. “We couldn’t fit anybody else in here, and we were having to park cars on the road coming in!” says Hester.
In between the large weekend gatherings, Shameless Racing sponsors the Runday Sunday events, and has for many years. Friday night test-and-tune sessions are also available on select weekends. Hester made out the schedule to the end of April, as he awaits the final word from the airport regarding the hanger project.
“It’s been delayed twice already, and I’m not really anticipating it getting delayed again. Immokalee has been real good to me, and I don’t want to leave this area to build another track,” concludes Hester, maintaining his desire to always stay and race in the town of Immokalee.
This story was originally published on July 15, 2026. 
The post Racing Against The Clock: Immokalee Regional Raceway Makes The Most Of What Could Be Its Last Season first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
