52nd annual High School Drag Races held at Pacific Raceway

Published 9:40 am Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The 52nd annual High School Drag Race Competition commenced June 7 at Pacific Raceways.

The races consisted of high school students racing against one another, alumni, semi-truck races and even a series of drag races where people could race against police officers.

“It’s really important to be involved in these types of events. Working with our young people and seeing us and, you know, ‘Beat the Heat’ racing against the cops was a great opportunity,“ said King County Sheriff Patti Cole-Tindall.

Originally scheduled for May 7, the races were rescheduled a month later. There were over 20 cars in the high school division and around 16 alumni.

After the first round of high schoolers racing against each other, the King County Sheriff’s Office stepped up to the line. Any of the high school racers had the chance to race an officer in a legitimate police vehicle.

Deputy Amber Kennedy was receiving her 25 years of service coin at the racetrack and was helping around the facilities.

“There’s bragging rights on the line,“ she said with a smile. “I think this is a really fun event and a cool event.”

It’s the first time that the sheriff’s office has participated in an event for over 25 years. Previously when the track was known as Seattle International Speedway, the Kent Police Department was involved in the racing on the track. But the sheriff’s department plans to continue to attend the high school drag races.

Interacting with deputies in a positive and fun environment means a lot to the department.

“This is a great opportunity to be seen just as people too. So interacting with young people because they’re the next generation gives us an opportunity to recruit? Yes, by just being ourselves and talking to the young people,” Cole-Tindall said.