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Posted on 12/15/2025 12:28:14 PM PST by WhiteHatBobby0701
MARTIN, MI –– Drag racing fans in Michigan, rejoice.
The wait is over.
For the first time in more than six decades, championship drag racing is set to return to the Great Lakes State.
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) announced it will host a national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park in Martin, Michigan, from Sept. 18-20 via a release on Monday –– marking the first-ever NHRA national event at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and the first NHRA national event held in Michigan since 1960.
Michigan last hosted an NHRA national event when Detroit Dragway –– now defunct –– welcomed the series before the NHRA U.S. Nationals moved permanently to Indianapolis in 1961.
“Hosting an NHRA national event underscores our continued commitment to excellence, safety and delivering unforgettable motorsports entertainment,” U.S. 131 Motorsports vice president of operations Jason Peterson said in a release. “We are honored to welcome the NHRA, its competitors, sponsors and fans, and we look forward to showcasing our facility, our staff and our passionate racing community that makes this region so special.”
The event, which is donned the Great Lakes Nationals, will serve as the opening race for the 2026 NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs –– the first of six postseason races.
(Excerpt) Read more at mlive.com ...
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Will the racers be wearing dresses and high heals? : )
I’d like to see a “100% Stock” category (with the exception of tires). It would be good for the business.
You can enter your street car in a bracket class. Pure stock is sportsman. NHRA has so many classes they will find a place (only a firesuit, helmet, HANS, and 5-point harness required) for the bracket car.
US 131 was a World Drag Racing Alliance (sportsman) track. With the move to NHRA they have to change everything and has yet to announce everything because racers have to obtain new certification and the works.
They might have made their bid at a better time than September. Temps at that time in that area average highs from the low 70s to mid-60s, dropping to lows in the mid-40s to low 50s overnight.
The optimal track temperature for drag racing varies but generally falls in the 90-105°F (32-40°C) range for ideal grip, with cooler temps sometimes preferred for lower air density. Surfaces below 60°F (15°C) struggle to hook up, while extremely hot tracks (over 130°F/54°C) can become slick with excess rubber or oil, requiring careful tuning and track prep (VHT) to ensure good traction.
It’s nice to get a slot, but maybe a little dickering may have been better.
wy69
I drive by this place all time. Every weekend in the summer there’s some kind of event going on. Busy place.
SUNDAY!
SUNDAY!
SUNDAAYY!
At the US-131 dragway ...
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