(Photos by Greg and Jason Rourke) – The 2015 Meltdown Drags at Byron Dragway prove that a good concept run by people who really care can result in something really, really awesome. This event has grown and grown into one of the biggest and coolest nostalgia races in the country. We personally know of people who have traveled more than 1,000 miles to race and participate in the show and countless others just made the trek to hangout and soak up the awesome that thing gathering radiates.
Unlike some of the major nostalgia races with lots of structure and classes and all of that stuff, the Meltdown Drags is about recreating a time and a place that is largely gone from the sport. It is not about running top fuel cars, setting low elapsed time of the world, or thrashing to replace eight pistons between rounds. It is about friends, hot rods, and all of the good things that come along with those two basic elements. The guys that put this thing on work as a non-profit organization and schlep all year long to make sure that the event is a success. Byron Dragway has done an awesome job hosting and the sky seems to be the limit with this thing.
Greg Rourke and his son Jason are on the property blasting away all weekend. Here’s their first load of photos from Friday!
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Hope to spectate tomorrow. Can’t wait.
The Barracuda in the lead photo had a great story. The owner was looking at an ad for a Camaro for sale, and saw the Barracuda in the background. “That’s just my fathers old Gasser. I’ll never do anything with it. If you want it, take it.” The seller wouldn’t include the 383, but sold it for $2000. They took it apart and found it in great shape, so just buttoned it back up. Total in the car is $2500.
Great shots. Lots of Mopars too.
Holy crap, they finally replaced the old tower. Too busy to make it this year. 🙁
Thats my 61 Lark in the 13th photo. Thanks!!
Hands down the best nostalgia around, but the event has outgrown Bryon Dragway. Move it to Route 66 Dragway in Joliet next year. A cooling tent was sorely needed with the 90 degree heat and a bunch of elderly racers, but none was to be found. Something to think about for next year.
Leave it at Byron.If you are too hot ,bring a pop up like many people did up on the hill.Rt 66 will not want a event like this .They are closed 345 days a year.
We had an absolute blast at the Meltdown. I drive the red Chevy II in the background of the Barracuda picture. It’s a 12 hour tow from Wichita, KS, and it’s worth it every minute of it. Great people, well organized racing, and a super facility. We’ll do it again next year!
I Drove from Philadelphia PA just to spectate! We had a great time. Great track, great people, great racing. We are talking about bringing my race car for next year. Please don’t move this race anywhere else! Tighten up the pit parking and you can fit 100 more racers easily. A Shout-out to “Dan” of the MDA and his wife-who took time to talk to us Sunday morning- nice folks! The only thing that makes me grind my teeth has nothing to do with this event itself, but, remember when you look at those beautiful trackside photos- those Pro photographer’s backsides are all over my pics! I think the promoters should limit the number of those guys, and where they can stand out there.
The photos shown thus far are by myself and my son. There were maybe 15 credentialed photographers on the grounds. We took turns shooting from the wall, pits, burnout boxes and the staging lanes. The problem was with 500 spectators with smartphones crowding the wall.
I respect your position, and I don’t disagree, but I stand behind my comment. I don’t know you, and I am not looking to start a fight here, but next time, take a walk back to the fence and look at it from the average paying spectator’s perspective. I will admit It wasn’t as bad as I’ve seen at other events. Your pics are very nice. Peace.
Great job by all involved! Fun, fun weekend. Only thing I missed was the waterslide decal for my car. RoosterTale