What’s old is new again at the St. Thomas Dragway. The Fletcher family – who owned the track in the 1990s – has purchased it from the Spriet family. “We just liked the atmosphere here,” said Dan Fletcher, whose brother John and sister-in-law Sharon owned it previously. “It’s people friendly and it’s a great place to be.” Dan’s nephew Bill and his wife Rachelle are the new owners and plan to restore the name back to London Motorsports Park, which it was called during their previous regime. The Spriet’s have decided to turn over the keys after six years and a lot of restoration work. “The timing was right,” said Jarrett Spriet, the general manager of St. Thomas Dragway. “Our family had been talking about succession planning already, and so when they (Fletchers) approached us, we were ecstatic to be able to pass it along to a family who we know was going to take this facility to another level. We worked really hard on trying to bring it back into what it was, but it needs a little bit more and the Fletchers are going to be a great family to do that,” said Spriet. The Fletcher family is well known in the racing circles across North America. Bill plans on listening and soaking up information during the first year before spending however there is a lot to do. “We’re going to put new guardrail in here on the starting line and some digital scoreboards at the other end,” said Fletcher. “That’ll help the spectator experience, so they can see what’s going on. Maybe some replays so they’ll be able to figure out what’s actually happened on each run. So neat things for the spectators as well here. We’re going to put some new concrete at the starting line to make the track better and resurface the other end, as well as the shutdown area.” Other upgrades needed are the grandstand, fencing, free internet, restrooms, concessions, and shade. “I think it was just a great meeting of everybody that will do what’s right for this facility,” said Spriet. “We’ve worked really hard on this facility, and we didn’t want to give it to somebody that was going to let it go into disarray again. This place is a very special sort of place, as it’s the oldest purpose-built dragstrip in the country. It’s got a really cool old school feel, and I know the Fletchers like that aspect of it, and they’re going to nurture it, while at the same time bring it into that next era.” While looking into the next era, they also plan on throwing it back. With the rising popularity of drag racing south of the border, the Fletcher family has ideas to bring back the crowds like they did in the 1990s by bringing in stars like legend John Force. “I don’t think there’s any question that that will happen,” said Fletcher. “I’m not saying John Force specifically, but there will be some big shows. We’re going to probably bring some nitro cars up here at one point and racing is in our blood. We’re still all racing. I’m still driving a race car. All our family still driving. My grandson’s driving a race car, so we’re still in it. We’re still racers and we’re going to make it fun.” The track as the first outside the United States to be NHRA-sanctioned and the plan is to continue as an NHRA track. Spriet is headed to take over Grand Bend Motorplex, allowing his father Paul to take a step back after 30 years to focus more on his golf game. “I’m going to kind of put my spin on it,” said Spriet. “I started working there when I was 12, and growing up in the family business, you always want to do it your way, but you never really get that opportunity to go in and do that. I’m lucky enough to be able to be one of those that kind of get to go put my own spin on it and kind of, like I said, bring that facility into a new area just like this one is going.” The Fletchers take over ownership on Nov. 1, 2026.
