Great Lakes Dragaway, nicknamed “The Biggest Little Track in the World,” has entered into a multi-year sanctioning agreement with the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA).

The Paris, Wisconsin track is the oldest purpose-built drag strip in America. Track co-founder Marge Bennett first called it the “Dragaway” as a place her friends could drag away.

First opening in 1955, it has hosted the biggest names in the sport such as 17-time world champion “Big Daddy” Don Garlits and Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen. Legendary promoter “Broadway Bob” Metzler, the first promoter ever inducted into the International Drag Racing Hall of Fame, brought in concerts, parades, the circus and even motorcycle daredevil “Evel” Knievel.

Current track owners Randy Henning and Marcel Kuper have made improvements to the facility highlighted by a quarter-mile drag strip.

The track has a number of special events throughout the season including the Night of Fire, Larry’s Fun Fest, as well as No Prep and Nostalgia events. It also boasts a strong IHRA Summit SuperSeries program.

The track, which is physically in Paris, has a Union Grove post office address.

“You run into people around the country and say, ‘Great Lakes Dragaway,’ and they say, ‘Union Grove, Wisconsin,’” Henning said. “It’s really in Paris, but our race track is strong and where it has been here so long, it’s truly a part of the community where everyone takes pride in it.”

For more information, visit the IHRA website or the Great Lakes Dragaway website.

(Image courtesy of Great Lakes Dragaway, Facebook).