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Killer Drag History: Detroit Dragway


Killer Drag History: Detroit Dragway

Detroit Dragway was open from 1959 to 1998. During that time it served an important role in the history of the sport due to its proximity to the headquarters of the domestic auto companies. In 1959 and 1960 Wally Parks held the US Nationals at Detroit Dragway in an effort to show the Big 3 just how lucrative their participation and fostering of the sport could be. Wally’s plan worked to perfection and the companies were soon knee deep in factory backed drag efforts.

The man who owned and operated the track from beginning to end was named Gil Kohen and he stands as a legend among the colorful men who operated strips during the heyday of the sport. It is believed that he and another promoter named Ben Christ developed the infamous, “SUNDAY! SUNDAY! SUNDAY!” radio ads that some strips use even today to promote large events.

The track hosted all the major stars of the sport over the years, but eventually time caught up with the facility. In the mid-1990s the NHRA was again interested in getting into the Detroit market and plans were hatched to renovate the track up to national event standards, but due to local politics, that plan was nixed and the track finally ran out of steam in 1998. It is a sad commentary that the city of Detroit does not have a drag strip anymore.

Luckily, we were tipped to an awesome webpage that relives the history of the place through killer audio clips of ads and a ton of old photos, which we cannot get enough of. You need to scroll down the page to get to the photos, so make sure you do. It is a bonafide time killer.

Thanks for the tip MSD Todd!

LINK: Detroit Dragway History

Chevelle at Detroit Dragway


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One thought on “Killer Drag History: Detroit Dragway

  1. James Flagg

    I raced there from 1963 until the early 90s and have great memories of the track. I have pictures somewhere and will try; to find and post them

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