Over a decade ago, longtime Upper Midwestern drag racing fans began working to put in motion an event showcasing the same kind of race cars they enjoyed watching in the golden era of drag racing. With the rest of the drag racing world engaged in a move to bring back nostalgia racing to the modern world, the need for an event to fill this desire became more and more apparent.
Six years ago, the inaugural Meltdown Drags debuted at the iconic Byron Dragway outside of Rockford, Illinois. The first event was a small gathering and has since grown beyond the expectations of its organizers. This season's event attracted 580 race entries, 500 show cars, scores of vendors and the largest spectator attraction ever.
The Meltdown Drags, over the years, has showcased the enthusiasm for the vintage drag racing culture while presenting a pressure-free environment.