“East Coast’s Biggest Little Strip” - U.S. 13 Dragway
Charles & Joyce Cathell
Delaware’s U.S. 13 Dragway is known as “The Biggest Little Strip on the East Coast”. Located in Delmar, Delaware, the track is part of the Delaware Motorsports Complex which includes the Delaware International Speedway and the U.S. 13 Kart track. This historic motorsports complex has been owned by two generations of the Cathell family over an astounding 61 years. Originally founded by William and Juanita Cathell in 1963, the track was first managed by their son, Charles, and his wife Joyce, along with Charles’s brother, Hal. Today, the second generation of Cathell’s has taken the reigns as Mark and Denise Cathell have assumed the role of promoters of this East Coast gem, along with the assistance of SDM Promotions, the track’s current management company. Mark and Denise are truly a dynamite duo and are staples in the Delaware Drag Racing Scene.
Mark & Denise Cathell
The track offers both ¼ and ⅛ mile racing, catering to primarily bracket, heads-up, prepped and no-prep races. Pit areas are partially paved and grassy pit areas are available as well. In addition, the dragway features plenty of prime viewing areas for spectators . In fact, in 2017, U.S. 13 Dragway recorded a whopping 6,100 people in attendance as Street Outlaw’s Dave Comstock (a.k.a. “Daddy Dave”) and Kye Kelly (a.k.a. “The Shocker”) wowed the crowd as they took on racers Steve Drummond and Dale Collins Jr. of 302 Nation in thrilling heads-up action. U.S. 13 Dragway was a National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) sanctioned track for 50 years, International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) for 11 years and has currently held the distinction of being a World Drag Racing Alliance (WDRA) member track for the past 2 years.
Shortly after the track opened, the popularity of Super Stock and Match Races that were held every Friday and Sunday nights began to surge. This sparked the interest of the likes of legendary drag racers such as Sonny Cox with his 1963 426 Max Wedge Plymouth SS/SA, nicknamed “Lucy Lu”, and Dick Smith with his 1930 Ford Roadster, “Block Buster”. Soon these legendary racers, along with many other prestigious drag racers of the 1960’s, began to frequent the U.S. 13 Dragway with some of the best racing of the era.
U.S. 13 Dragway offers countless races and special events throughout each season with a vast range of classes to appeal to nearly every racer and fan from East Coast and beyond. One of the most exciting new events at U.S. 13 Dragway is the 1st State No Prep race. This thrilling spring season-opener event, which first kicked off in 2023, features Small Tire, Big Tire, Late Model, Extreme Street, Stick Shift and All Motor classes with an uncapped car count for ample entertainment. In 2023 the dragway also made another claim to fame as being the only track in the America to host a Prep Vs. No Prep race. This exceptionally popular inaugural event was a tremendous success and is returning for the 2024 season.
COASTAL
QUICK 16 SERIES
4 Weekends
8 Races
16 Qualifiers
4 Round Shootout
2 Day Finals
1 WINNER
Delaware’s elite dragway also wows its crowds with many other heads-up, grudge and no prep races, along with small and big tire shootouts, staggering Street Outlaws competitions and adrenaline-pumping jet car action. Additionally, the Hillbilly Bracket Bash, three days of Top/Box and No Box/Foot Brake, Jr. Dragsters and bikes, and Coastal Clash, an action packed weekend of Top Bulb, No-Box and Jr. Dragster races, stand out for their significant cash prizes. In fact, U.S. 13 Dragway is renowned for its substantial purses for winners of its big races and special events. Winnings ranging from $2,500 to $12,000 have been shelled out to deserving racers in events such as Foot Brake/No Box, the Outten Bros. Bike Brawl motorcycle event and Jerry Ketterman's Super Bad 8, a 64 car shootout. The dragway’s generous payouts are undoubtedly a powerful draw for top-tier racers from across the region.
Bracket racers at U.S. 13 Dragway have the opportunity to participate in numerous riveting race series and events each year. The WDRA sanctioned 6 class bracket racing series with a 16 race season is the longest running event for those dedicated bracket racers who are in for the long haul. And for bracket racers who prefer to shake things up, the Coastal Clash, Hillbilly Bracket Bash, Bike Brawl, Bad 8 and Halloween Shootout all include bracket races in their exciting lineup of events. The dragway’s dedication to the bracket racing community is nothing new. In 1999, U.S. 13 Dragway held the largest attended NHRA Division 1 Bracket Finals with 891 race teams and 21 tracks.
The Cathell family’s legacy with U.S. 13 Dragway reaches far beyond the racing community that they’ve so positively affected. Their legacy is felt throughout Delaware as they have led in community outreach, sharing their generosity and compassion for others in the community.
Come out and support U.S. 13 Dragway and pack the stands. Whether you visit for the esteemed Super Chevy Show, the All Truck Challenge, Friday Night Street Fightz, Fast Ford Sunday or an Index Race, the dragway is guaranteed to provide unmatched entertainment and fun.
