Detroit Dragway Reunion Returns to Milan

By Sue Christophersen

Detroit Dragway’s hey-day took place over an 11-year period from 1962-1972.  For the young car enthusiast – it was a time of Motown Records, Muscle cars, Woodward Avenue, and DEETROIT DRAGWA-A-AY!!.    Viewing all of this – and reporting on same over the drag strip’s public address system -  was a Lansing-ite named Jon Lundberg.  As the 2nd Annual Detroit Dragway Reunion takes place at Milan Dragway, Saturday, May 21, that era will be recalled by Lundberg as he revisits Michigan to share those halcyon days for both the education and entertainment of succeeding generation spectators. 

The “Supremes” acted-out voice-sync renditions of their latest release on the return road and car maker race teams previewed their weekly “updates”; the racing often lasted until dawn.   Movie producers recognized that if you wanted to pitch that latest “Annette & Frankie” beach flick or youth market exploitation film, you’d better book a Saturday night promotional stop at Detroit Dragway.  It was here, in 1962, that the vaunted “two-voice screamer” radio commercial was launched over the public address system to build Detroit Dragway’s Sunday attendance.  Who can forget, “SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDA-A-A-AY-Y-Y!!!”  blasting out from CKLW as DJ Joel Sebastian played  “youth generation” anthems.

During that period, drag racing underwent a paradigm change.  Optimal drag race passenger car design evolved from a full-size “bubble-top” production sedan - powered by a 427 big block Chevrolet V-8 or a “side-oiler” FE Ford racing engine, through lightweight purpose-built 2-doors, to midsize Dodge and Plymouth 413’s, to 426-hemis and Ford Thunderbolts, to altered-wheelbase “Factory Experimental” cars.  Over a 6-month period during 1965, power escalated from 500-horsepower carbureted engines, through fuel injection to supercharged engines developing over 1,000!  In 1966 Lincoln-Mercury one-upped the entire field with introduction of the first separate body-frame, production look-alike race vehicles which were soon nicknamed “Funny cars”.  Pontiac’s 1964 GTO launched the muscle car era which lasted through 1972.  All of this development took place within 50 miles of Detroit Dragway.

The sport’s fastest cars – dragsters – also underwent a paradigm change to behind-the-driver engine location from the time-honored engine-out-front configuration.  Top Speed and Elapsed Time performances steadily improved with many records being set at “Dix & Sibley”, the track’s location.

After holding multiple national-caliber events, Detroit Dragway aged - closed and opened intermittently - to finally end its days in 1998.  A warehouse complex has now claimed its acreage.  One of the first lessee’s was Ford Motor Company.  For his part, Jon Lundberg went-on to become known throughout North America as “The Voice of Drag Racing” appearing at more than 130 drag strips over the next 40 years.

But for that golden era between 1962 and 1972, Detroit Dragway was the epi-center whereat the Midwest’s original car-oriented “youth culture” celebrated their coming-of-age.  Those memories will live again during the 2nd Annual Detroit Dragway Reunion.

Saturday May 21, at Milan Dragway.  Be there! For the 2nd annual Detroit Dragway Reunion, presented by Outlaw Photo & Associates.  What better way to spend a weekend; remembering the good ol’ days and enjoying the sights, sounds, and smell of drag racing, a true all-American sport.  This is a unique experience for the whole family.

There will be plenty of side-by-side action, featuring the Great Lakes Gassers, Nostalgia Funny Cars and the pavement pounding action of the Holbrook Racing Engines Saturday Shootout series.  And don’t miss the Show-n- Shine Car Show, a unique collection from several local car clubs.  

Listen to your favorite tunes as you wander the pits enjoying the many hot rods, old and new.  Come meet “The Voice of Drag Racing,” Jon Lunberg, the man who is famous for reminding us all that “Sunday, Sunday, Sunday” was the day to go to Detroit Dragway for a great day of racing action.  Take pictures, collect autographs, pick up a Detroit Dragway T-shirt and other memorabilia.

Gates open at 9:00 am, time trials start at 10:00 am, eliminations are at 1:00 pm, with exhibition runs throughout the day.   Bring your car; bring yourself, your family, and especially your memories.  

Racers: Entry fee for the two Detroit Dragway Trophy Classes is $25 and for the Box and No Box classes, just $35.

Spectators: Tickets are $10 for adults, which include full access to the pits and car show.  Kids 12 and under get in free.  Parking is free.

Milan Dragway is located at 10860 Plank Rd., Milan, Michigan, 4 miles east off US 23, Exit 25 (Plank Rd).    For more information, go to milandragway.com

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