DIALED IN: Events New and Old Bring Fans and Racers to Union Dragway
For many dragstrips around the country, the first half of 2024 has been a hit-and-miss affair when it comes to having favorable weather conditions to hold events, and South Carolina’s Union Dragway has experienced its fair share of hurdles early in the season. Nearly every Friday test-and-tune session was rained out during March, along with the season-opening WDRA bracket points race. While April improved somewhat, the weather was far from consistently great.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #189, the Women of Power Issue, in July/August of 2024.]
“By early June, we had still just completed three of the five scheduled points races, and it feels like forever since we had one!” says Tony Brown, track manager. “When the weather did cooperate for us early on, we managed to have a great points race on April 13, along with the 4.90 Outlaws, who showed up in full force.”
The month of May continued with dicey weather that hampered several of the events on the schedule, while others went off without a hitch. Brown referred to June as the track’s “marquee month,” and with good reason, considering the number of stellar events on the schedule. As of this writing, the first half of June has been spectacular.
The much-anticipated Outlaw Pro Mod/Mountain Motor Pro Stock event happened on a weekend with near-perfect weather. It featured many other great classes such as Top Sportsman, Top Dragster, 6.00, and Jr. Dragster. “We advertised that event heavily and we had probably 2,500 people come out, many of whom didn’t even know the track existed, and a number of them returned on Saturday to see more. It was very encouraging and it’s why we’re here!” says Brown.
John Bartunek has worked tirelessly toward improving the facility since buying the track in 2021, with a dream of hosting events such as this. Union Dragway has a similar event scheduled in July, with many of the same classes, but Brown says they will likely move that event to the fall to escape the summer heat. “The fans definitely turned out for the first one and we were pleased with the results, so we definitely have plans to schedule more of these type races.”
The remaining weekends in June were filled with everything from no-prep small-tire racing, featuring a host of index classes, followed by the mega-popular Southeast Gassers Association the following weekend. The Craig Hipp Gambler Series and WDRA points race closes out the very busy month of June. “After that we need a rest, so we’re taking the July 4th weekend off!” laughs Brown.
Mid-July features more test-and-tune on Friday, July 12, followed by a full day of no-prep racing, along with $5K small tire and a host of index classes and Jr. Dragster.
August features a Friday gathering of the Craig Hipp Gambler Series and WDRA bracket points race on Saturday, August 10, plus the 4.90 Outlaws. The Classic Gear Jammers group is scheduled to visit Union Dragway several times this year, and while the first date in May was rained out, the popular straight-drive series returns on August 24 to complement the scheduled points bracket event.
September ushers in more no-prep/small-tire and index class events, along with Jr. Dragster racing, with the WDRA points season finale slated for September 14, while LGI Fest closes out the month. Big-purse $5K Modified racing is scheduled for October 19, with a $2K Top Eliminator and $500 Jr. Dragster meet.
Several weekends have been left open later in the year for make-up dates and last-minute events. “As of right now, we still have all of November left open, and we typically see what other area tracks are doing, but you can bet we’ll fill the month with races, especially something like a winter no-prep series, which would be the perfect time of the year for that style of racing,” says Brown.
Perhaps the most unique event of the year is held on December 14, and it isn’t even a drag race. “It’s hard to even describe how this works, but essentially people gather with vehicles equipped with all sorts of sound equipment, and they have all these measuring devices to see who can make the loudest noises,” says Brown. “The actual dragstrip isn’t even open on this day. Nobody goes down the track. They just need a place to gather and see who can make the most noise, and it’s actually a national competition!”
Brown describes the gathering as louder than any Pro Mod race, and it’s the only event of the entire season that leads the neighbors to call and complain. “It even shakes stuff off the walls inside the tower!” says Brown.
After this event, things go quiet for a few months, and after a brief offseason, Union Dragway will once again come to life with another season of events. “We’re always looking for ways to utilize more of the facility with a wide variety of events and even concerts,” concludes Brown.
This story was originally published on September 5, 2024.
The post DIALED IN: Events New and Old Bring Fans and Racers to Union Dragway first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
