There are few tracks in the world of drag racing that have the history, the feel, and the outright awesomeness of Great Lakes Dragway in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Sure the place may be a little rough around the edges now but it was never the Texas Motorplex. It has always been a facility that has crushed it with good air, a good atmosphere, and a kind of intimacy that so many tracks no longer have. This video from 1977 shows what we believe is to be some of the major talent at fun from the Olympics of Drag Racing that was the signature event at GLD for so many years.
The epic Broadway Bob was in his promotional glory during this time in history and as you will see, he did not spare the checkbook in bringing out talent for this event. Literally every big name in the sport was there to do battle.
The video opens up with a shot of Shirley Muldowney’s top fueler, we see Chris Karamesines, Grumpy Jenkins, Dyno Don Nicholson, and the list goes on and on and on. There are sportsman cars as well and the whole thing is nicely shot.
We love the fact that the video kind of takes us through a day in the life of the track. From the morning service being performed on cars to racing during the day and into the darkness of the night. This is awesome.
