The Emerald Coast Dragway in Holt, Fla., draws some big crowds and many of the racers and fans call Covington County home.

“We have at least 30 to 40 drivers from Covington County and several hundred spectators,” media/marketing director Janice Johnt said. “ECD is the closet drag strip to Andalusia and we appreciate everyone who makes the short drive to race with us.”

Johnt is a 2003 graduate of Andalusia High School and has been involved in racing since birth and began racing at the age of 15.

New track manager Shannon Wilkerson is also from Andalusia.

ECD originally opened in 1989 by Chip Kooser.

Kooser ran the track until 2004.

The track was closed in 2011 and then reopened in 2017 after Ozzy and Maria Moya made renovations.

The track is open on Friday nights for Friday Frenzy and then there are usually two or three large Saturday races per month.

ECD has several events lined up for the summer beginning with No Time Street Heat race on June 8.

The Grand Hustle Cash Days 2.0 will be held on June 15.

The Sport Compact Summer Nationals will be held on June 29.

Prices for tickets range from $10 to $20 depending on the event.

“We try to keep admission prices and concessions reasonably priced so you can bring the whole family out to enjoy the races,” Wilkerson said.

Johnt said the track is very fan friendly.

“We have open pits,” Johnt said. “Fans are more than welcome to get and up close look at the cars and meet the drivers. It’s not uncommon at all to see drivers let kids sit in their cars for a photo op. We try out best to be a fan friendly track.”