Drag Strip
★★★★☆
Northern Michigan Dragway in Kaleva, Michigan, offers thrilling drag racing action. As a dedicated Drag Strip, it specializes in straight-line standing-start sprints, delivering pure acceleration and head-to-head excitement. This venue is one of four motorsports options within 75 miles. Call (231) 362-3439 for the latest event information.
Know Before You Go
- Test & tune nights
- Most strips run open 'test and tune' or 'run what ya brung' sessions for $20-40 entry. Make as many passes as time allows — perfect for street cars and bracket prep.
- Required gear
- A helmet is required once you run faster than 13.99 in the quarter-mile (or 9.99 in the eighth). Anything quicker than 11.49 typically requires a roll bar and SFI gear.
- Tech inspection
- Cars go through a basic safety check: battery hold-down, throttle return, seatbelt condition, tire condition. Faster cars need NHRA tech and current chassis cert.
- Bracket racing
- Saturday-night bracket programs pit dial-in handicap races. You declare your ET, race against a 'pro tree,' and closer to your dial without going under wins.
- Timeslip souvenir
- Most tracks print your ET, trap speed, reaction time, and 60-foot on a timeslip after each pass — a fun keepsake even if you're just there to mess around.