ESMERALDA

In 1953 the Platte Valley Custom Club brought drag racing to Julesburg, Colorado by holding drag races on a dirt road donated to them by the County. By 1955 cars were running to fast for a dirt strip so club President, Darrel Zimmerman began negotiations with the county to allow the club to create a paved strip. The county agreed to lease the club land at the city airport, which at the time had only a grass landing strip, if the club paid for the strip themselves. The first races on the new drag strip were held in July of 1958 and racing continues at this location today.

The car featured in this painting was campaigned by the Casteneda Brothers out of Colorado, Springs. The June 1962 issue of Hot Rod Magazine shows this car winning Little Eliminator at the NHRA sanctioned Julesburg track in the B/Roadster class with a set-back Chevy and center steering. Current owner Daryl Roberts has returned the car to the street with a 1955 Dodge 270 cubic inch Hemi and a 727 torqueflite transmission.