Story and Photos by Bill Swanson Sun, 2017-07-23 11:32
During the course of more than 50 years in operation, Byron Dragway has been home to many memorable events, from the Manufacturer’s Funny Car Showdown of the 1970’s, to the Byron Bracket Nationals to the Power Wheelstand Championships beginning in the early 2000’s.
Eight years ago Byron became the established home to the Meltdown Drags, a vintage drag meet designed to authentically mirror those of the early 1960’s, in appearance and spirit. In these eight years, the Meltdowns have developed from a regional event into an international phenomenon. This is said without exaggeration, as racers cross borders to race, spectators cross oceans to attend, and thousands across the globe view a live webcast from Division 3 TV over the internet.
Over 500 entries were received within 72 hours as registration opened. 518 vintage race cars towed through the gates. Hundreds of show cars cruised in, and dozens of vendors sold their wares.
Robert "Bones" Balogh and Ed Iskendarian were returning Honored Guests at Meltdown Drags. Also on hand were legendary track announcer Ron Leek and iconic funny car racer Arnie "The Farmer" Beswick. “Bones” said it best, “We love this event. It truly represents how we’d race in the early years, and the camaraderie around the Meltdowns is unique in today’s world of corporate drag racing.”
Believing the Meltdown Drags is a “greybeard” event is a misnomer. Besides the large number of families with young kids and Millennials in the stands, several young racers took to the track. One was Carly Stupar, with a Chevy II that she prepared specifically to race at the Meltdowns.Several clubs participate at the Meltdown Drags. New this year were eight members of Nostalgia Super Stocks Inc., including Milt Schreindl’s Max Wedge powered “Full Tilt” Dodge Coronet.Exemplifying the unique variety of cars is Stevens Point, Wisconsin’s Royce Brechler and his “War Bird”. With the aft section of a ’57 T Bird laid over an old school dragster frame, the vintage Lincoln powered stunner ran low 10 second ET’s at 125 MPH all day long.The variety of front engine dragsters in action was stunning. At the top, St Louis, Missouri’s Brian Fox built and races “ Zorba’s Ghost”, and formed the basis of his business, “King Chassis. He was also awarded MDA’s “Non-Conformist” Award.Randy Jackson’s wheel standing “Medusa” is a 1958 Chassis Research frame with a 4-71 blown small block Chevy and 3-speed manual trans between the rails.Matt Sletten backs up the “Boondoggle”. Sporting a chute pack style body over the pipe, vintage Hilborn injection and Blower Shop supercharger are stacked on an iron block Hemi. From show quality to daily drivers, the large Car Show even featured this custom/camper combo.From show quality to daily drivers, the large Car Show even featured this custom/camper combo.
Bob Buckley and Rock and Roll Express wait their turn under the lights.A heartfelt tribute to those that serve our country took place under a setting sun. American Legion Post 97 from Oregon, IL & VFW Post 97 presented colors. David Tanner’s ’32 Chevy and the “Iron Man” ’57 Chevy of Nick Shervino put on a display of bumper dragging that’s worthy of today’s drag radial crowd.
This is the real deal “Jake’s Speed Shop” Candies & Hughes A/FX Plymouth still doing what it was built to do.Kathy Leber’s enthusiasm is infectious!Mimi Meow backs up Ken Kapper’s Henry J at sunset.
The 9th Meltdown Drags will be held July 20-22 2018 at Byron Dragway.The Miss Meltdown Pin-Up Girl pageant was back, and an enthusiastic crowd voiced their approval to the finalists. L to R, 2rd Runner-Up “Sweet Alice”, 1st Place “Betsy Boondocks”, and “Annabelle”, the 3rd Runner-Up.
David Tanner’s ’32 Chevy and the “Iron Man” ’57 Chevy of Nick Shervino put on a display of bumper dragging that’s worthy of today’s drag radial crowd.
Martin Stead shows the unpredictable nature of thes beastly classics, even on the burnout. Ed Kasick kept the “Phenomenon” Willys straight and true on long smoky burnouts and impressive wheel stands.
THE THRILLA ON THE ROCK RIVER - In the days leading up up to the Meltdown Drags, a best of 3 match race was taking shape. Billed as “North vs. South”, “Ford vs. Chevy”, the match between the 1955 Ford “Skairlane” of Jeff Jacobson and Greg Porter’s “Night Stalker” Chevy almost didn’t come off. The big 427 SOHC in Jacobson’s Ford had valve train issues and unless it could be fixed, Porter would have to find someone else to race. After a lot of effort, and help, Skairlane was determined to be fit to race.
At dusk the 55’s pulled into the water box. Porter, the 2017 March Meet winner, lays down an impressive fog bank burnout. The crowd roared their approval as Miss Cassandra backs the popular South Carolina driver’s car to the starting line. When the tree came down it appeared Porter got the jump on Jacobson, but a case of premature acceleration gave Round 1 to the Skairlane. The Wisconsinite’s numbers, 9.63 at 101.71 to Porters 9.68 at 92.75 MPH.
Darkness had enveloped Byron Dragway by the time the pair was called back to the lanes for Round 2, and it was “do or die” for the Night Stalker”. Porter acknowledged this in the pits saying “I need to stay in the box just a little longer, and I think I’ll get him.”
As the last yellow light came on, both cars left hard, with Skairlane’s bulb showing green, but Night Stalker’s burning red. Match to Jeff Jacobson and the big Ford, with impressive numbers. 9.14 at 143 MPH.
THE THRILLA ON THE ROCK RIVER - In the days leading up up to the Meltdown Drags, a best of 3 match race was taking shape. Billed as “North vs. South”, “Ford vs. Chevy”, the match between the 1955 Ford “Skairlane” of Jeff Jacobson and Greg Porter’s “Night Stalker” Chevy almost didn’t come off. The big 427 SOHC in Jacobson’s Ford had valve train issues and unless it could be fixed, Porter would have to find someone else to race. After a lot of effort, and help, Skairlane was determined to be fit to race.
