“The Playground of Power” - Byron Dragway
Byron Dragway, formerly known as Rockford Dragway, is nestled on 200 acres of land near Byron, Illinois. Located Southwest of Rockford, Illinois and 60 miles West of Chicago, this NHRA-sanctioned track offers racers the unique spectacle of smoke from the iconic twin cooling towers of the Byron Nuclear Generating Station billowing across the horizon. First built in 1964, Byron Dragway’s 1/4 mile custom-built track was the widest and longest drag strip in the nation at 100 feet wide and a mile long with four side-by-side drag lanes. Although the track is now operating with just two lanes, the dragway is still one of the widest two-lane drag strips in America at 88’ wide. Byron Dragway isn’t just famed for its impressive size, this notorious drag strip hosts countless world-class competitions and infamous racers. In fact, the fastest pass ever recorded at Byron Dragway was in the 1970’s as Dave Anderson (aka “The Rocketman”) stunned fans and racers alike with a 5.44s jaw-dropping pass at 340mph in “Pollution Packer”, a fan favorite rocket-powered dragster.
In 1975, Byron Dragway hosted the 1st annual U.S. Bracket Nationals and now owns the title of being the birthplace of big-money bracket racing. This event was the brainchild of former legendary track manager Ron Leek, who was bestowed the title of “The Godfather of Bracket Racing”. Leek’s goal was to ensure that the average Joe had a fair chance to win big bucks during this exciting Labor Day weekend event, with an impressive $5,000 payout to the winner; a hefty purse for a race nearly 50 years ago. This historic race will soon celebrate its 49th anniversary under the stewardship of the Robertson family. The Byron Dragway also hosts the Firecracker Bracket Nationals, another big-money drag event nearing its 25th annual race. This weekend racing bonanza caps at 350 entries (175 dragsters and 175 door cars) and boasts lucrative payouts upwards of $10k to $150k for the winners. This action packed weekend promises non-stop entertainment with riveting races, commendable sportsmanship, a spectacular fireworks display and hundreds of mid-America’s fastest racers.
Byron Dragway is also home to one of the most alluring and jaw-dropping events to bewilder and thrill its fans, the annual World Power Wheelstanding Championships. Racers in this incredible event are awarded for the highest, longest, most violent and most photogenic wheelstand from launch. This unpredictable and explosive bumper-dragging display draws thousands of drag racing fans from across the U.S. and Canada every summer.
Byron Dragway’s profound dedication to continuously improving the experience for both racers and spectators is apparent in their ever-growing calendar of events. In 2024, the Midwest’s finest street cars will hit the track in their final stop of the epic drag and drive race event, Sick Summer 2024. Byron Dragway’s 6,500 seat stadium and its infamous Byron hillside, which can accommodate thousands more with unparalleled views, will undoubtedly be packed with eager spectators intoxicated by the excitement of the ultimate horsepower party. And in 2023, the dragway launched their first season of dirt drags. This heads-up form of competition adds a whole new element of excitement as cars, trucks and UTV’s battle the dirt for traction as they launch across the most unprepped of surfaces.
Other fan favorite events such as the Glory Days Vintage Drag Race, a three day marathon of old-school nostalgia races of pre-’66 rides, and the Night of Fire, a dynamite display of fire-breathing jet cars vibrating the Earth with their astronomical power, continue to wow crowds year after year.
As the future beckons, Byron Dragway plans to continue introducing exciting new events to their lineup. One such event, the Friday Night Heads-Up racing series, will feature four Friday night races. While classes are still being determined, this 4 series event with raw side-by-side tire screeching action will be a fantastic addition to the track’s program.
Byron Dragway is truly a place where dreams are realized and legends are born. Whether one is a racer, spectator or an annual visitor to the dragway’s 4th of July race and fireworks extravaganza, Byron Dragway is sure to bring the racing community together to forge unforgettable memories.