History Of Detroit Dragway
Detroit Dragway was one of America’s most iconic racetracks. It was the place where some of the world’s best drag racers competed for glory. Detroit Dragway was originally built in 1959, and it played a huge role in the development of drag racing as a sport. In this article, we will take a look at Detroit Dragway and explore why it was such an important track in the world of drag racing.
Track Owner
Detroit Dragway was once one of America’s most iconic racetracks. It was a place where the best drag racers in the country came to compete. But it wasn’t always that way. Detroit Dragway has a long and interesting history, and it all started with track owner Gil Kohn who opened Detroit Dragway in 1959. Mr. Kohn also owned another dragstip in Michigan, called Motor City Dragway, which was located in New Baltimore. He also owned one in New York. Mr. Kohn was the only person to even own Detroit Dragway.
Information
Detroit Dragway was located in Brownstown Charter Township, Michigan on Sibley Road between Dix and Allen Roads. Detroit Dragway the track opened in 1959 and ran until the end of1997. The Detroit Dragway track was a quarter-mile long, and it had a concrete starting line. Detroit Dragway also had a sand trap at the end of the track.
Detroit Dragway was open on Sundays, and it was also open for special events during the week. Detroit Dragway held races for dragsters, funny cars, street cars, and motorcycles. Detroit Dragway was truly a mecca for drag racing during its time. Detroit Dragway also had a nickname of The Dirty D & The Double D.
The 1959 NHRA Nationals Were Held At Detroit Dragway
Detroit Dragway was built in 1959 and held its first drag race in August of that year. It quickly became one of the most popular dragstrips in the country, hosting several major races each year. In 1959, it hosted the NHRA Nationals, one of the biggest and most prestigious drag racing events in the world. This was the first National Event Detroit Dragway hosted.
Detroit Dragway continued to be a major force in the world of drag racing throughout the 1960s and 1970s, hosting some of the biggest races in the country. In through the years, it has fell on hard times, but its place in drag racing history is secure. Detroit Dragway is one of America’s most iconic racetracks.
Detroit Dragway ran it’s last races in 1997, and the remains of the track removed it sadly has become an industrial complex for trucking companies.
1960 U.S Nationals was a historic drag racing event also held at Detroit Dragway. Below are two photos from the 59 Nationals
Big Names Raced At Detroit Dragway
Detroit Dragway was one of the most popular drag racing spots in the country during its heyday. Some of the biggest names in racing made their mark at Detroit Dragway.
Guys like Jay Howell, Connie Kalitta, Don Nicholson, Dick Landy, Ronnie Sox, and Don Garlits, Della Woods, Roger Lindamood all raced at Detroit Dragway. Landy was a two-time NHRA Winternationals champ, while Sox was a three-time NHRA World Champion. Garlits is considered one of the pioneers of drag racing, and he raced at Detroit Dragway early in his career. Lets not forget about Shirley Muldowney, and so many more.
Detroit Dragway was also home to some of the quickest and fastest cars in the world. In 1964, Dick Landy set the Detroit Dragway track record with a run of 171.45 mph. That record stood for nearly a decade before being broken by Ronnie Sox in 1973.
Detroit Dragway was truly a mecca for drag racing during its time, and it attracted some of the biggest names and quickest cars from across the country. If you were a drag racer in the 1960s and 1970s, Detroit Dragway was THE place to race. Many of the local Detroit area racers raced there on the weekends..
Old Radio Commercials
Detroit Dragway was also home to some of the most famous Sunday-Sunday radio commercials. These commercials were designed to get people out to Detroit Dragway to race on Sundays.
The most famous radio commercial featured the voice of local disc jockeys, Joel Sebastian and Rube Weiss, and it went something like this: “Sunday, Sunday at Detroit Dragway” Other week days were used as these radio commercials expanded.
“Hey racers, Detroit Dragway is the place to be on Sundays. You can race your street car, or your dragster. We’ve got classes for everyone. So come on out and race at Detroit Dragway.” These radio ads bring back such great memories. Hear a few of the old spots Here -> https://detroitdragway.com/radio/
Track Updated
Ed Law was hired in 1992 to restore Detroit Dragway, one of the first drag strips in America. Detroit Dragway was in operation from 1951 to 1977, when it was closed due to declining interest in drag racing. Law had raced at Detroit Dragway in the 1960s and 1970s, and he was determined to bring the track back to its former glory.
Law worked tirelessly With the help of his wife, Nancy, and a group of dedicated volunteers, Law was able to update Detroit Dragway in 1999. once again one of the premier drag racing facilities in the country. Ed Law and his team worked hard to create a safe and family-friendly environment for racers and spectators. But much more was needed to be done.
Ben Christ
Ben was the man behind these commercials, and he was also the track announcer. Christ had a long history in Detroit radio, and he used his skills to help promote Detroit Dragway.
These commercials were so popular that they were even played on national radio shows. Ben Christ’s voice and the Detroit Dragway commercials are still remembered by many people today. Thank you Ben Christ for theses great old Detroit Dragway radio ads. We loved CKLW in Canada.
Track Hosted Events Held At DD
Detroit Dragway held many different racing events throughout the year. Some of these events were the Detroit Dragway Bracket Series, the Detroit Dragway Test and Tune Series, and the Detroit Dragway Points Race.
The Detroit Dragway Bracket Series is a series of races that are held on Friday nights. These races are open to any type of vehicle, and there are different classes for different types of vehicles. The Detroit Dragway Test and Tune Series is a series of races that are held on Saturday nights. These races are open to any type of vehicle, and there are different classes for different types of vehicles. The Detroit Dragway Points Race is a series of races that are held on Sunday mornings. These races are open to any type of vehicle, and there are different classes for different types of vehicles. A great place to bring your race car.
Payout Money At DD
Detroit Dragway is one of the most popular drag racing venues in the country and the winners payouts changed through the years.
In addition to the Detroit Dragway Championship, there are a number of other races that will be paying out big money for the times. The Detroit Dragway Super Pro Challenge will have a purse of $25,000, with the winner taking home $12,500. That’s still a very respectable amount of money, and it attracted some good racers
Detroit Dragway is also paying out big money in its other races. The Super Pro class will have a purse of $15,000, with the winner taking home $7500. The Pro class will have a purse of $5000, with the winner taking home $2500. These are both significant purses that will attract some good racers.
But in 1978 the Summer Nationals was the largest payout amount that we know awarded was $40,000.
Detroit Dragway was definitely the place to be if you’re looking to win big
Fatal Car crash at Detroit Dragway
Sadly James Alexander Karash, 22, of Detroit, lost his life in a single-car accident at Detroit Dragway on Saturday night August 20, 1988.
Karash was racing his car in the drag strip’s Street Car class when he lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a concrete wall. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Drag Strip Closed
Detroit Dragway was in Brownstown Twp. and it held its last races in 1997, and the track was subsequently torn down. Local politics and complaints of noise helped close the Double D. Detroit Dragway is now an industrial complex for trucking companies. People that pass by the roads of Sibley & Dix still remember the good times they had there. As we say it may be gone but it’s not forgotten.
We are always looking for Detroit Dragway memorabilia.
If you have any you would like to get rid of please contact me.
