I hear ya. As a child, I was fortunate to grow up with 1/4 tracks everywhere, racing every weekend, factory support, colorful characters, etc.. It is sad to note the current reduction in track numbers.
I can't count on all my fingers and toes how many tracks (dragstrips and otherwise) that we have lost here in southern california in my lifetime here.
I've raced on about fifteen different strips, with only about three of them left.
(Barona, pomona, and famoso).