Northern Michigan Dragway - Bear Lake MI

Address: 13991 Potter Rd
City: Bear Lake
State: MI
Zip: 49614
County: Manistee
Number of visits to this page: 35041
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

General Information:

Update 5/2/2024 from Brian Ledford:

Kaleva-

The 55th season of racing is underway in Kaleva. With April's preliminary events in the books, NMD is ready to see a large field of racers begin their quest for championship seasons this weekend. Friday evening features Test 'n Tune event #3, from 5pm to 9pm. The 16-event Authentic 231 Racing Series will begin with its points opener this Saturday, with time trials starting at noon.

NMD managment supports good causes. Michigan's grass-roots "citizens initiative to end property taxes", AxMiTax, will be on hand collecting petition signatures and distributing yard signs, shirts and hats to supporters.

Last season, NMD saw record numbers of entries at all four major weekend events. Early indicators show another season with big entry numbers is in store. A busy month of May will see five bracket race nights.

Friday, May 17th will begin the Statewide Towing Street Nights series, and Saturday, May 18th has Authentic 231 Race Series event #2. May 25th and 26th will feature the 10th Annual Bonfire Salute, sponsored by Grand Rapids Machine Repair. Last season's Memorial Day Weekend Bonfire event saw a record 567 race entries.

NMD is located three miles north of Kaleva on Potter Road. For more information, including a full 2024 season schedule, see NorthernMichiganDragway.com or call (231)218-2657.


AKA Manistee County Dragway

Eighth-mile dragstrip in Manistee County. Owned & operated by Tom & Sharon Ledford. Track managers Wayne & Brian Ledford. Track first opened Memorial Day 1970. TSI timing system. Fully lighted for night racing. 30 acre paved expansion spring 2017. 120' new concrete launch pad for 2016 season. New concrete burn boxes, expanded staging lanes and tower expansion in 2018. Complete resurfacing of race track from 60' to finish line in 2021 in addition to more paved pit roads, return roads and staging lanes.

Click the following links for locations of interest nearby:
Info Updates:
8/25/2022 - Brian Ledford

This time, it's Ford's turn to take on all other contenders. A great forecast has racers eager to get on track with this weekend's Blue Oval Battle 10.0 at Northern Michigan Dragway.

This Ford vs. World scorecard has been a nail-biter the past few seasons. Last year's event ended in a tie score, as an 8th-round Pro Trophy final decided the outcome.

Sponsored by C. Petersen and Sons Trucking and Excavating, along with Manistee Ford, this event will determine the championship for NMD's Top Doorslammer 2022 season.

Sean Nagy of Houghton Lake took a convincing championship at Mopars Against the World last month, setting another new track record for doorslammers. With his Ford Mustang's victory and bonus points for being #1 qualifier, Nagy moved into 3rd place in the season standings with 51 points. Ron Brow of Belmont is holding onto the lead in the class with his "Blue Mamba" '66 Chevy II, while Bill Heiges of Beulah is currently 2nd with his classic '37 Chevy. With up to 41 points up-for-grabs in the $2,500 to win race, any of the top 6 racers in the standings have a legitimate shot at taking the championship. Two qualifying rounds will take place Friday evening, and the 3 round main event goes down throughout Saturday evening.

A whopping $10,000 will go to the winner of Bracket II on Saturday evening, and $3,000 to the Bracket I winner. Friday evening will have great competition in both classes, as each competes for $2,000 to win. Over $40,000 in total payouts is set to be disbursed.

Action begins on Thursday evening with time trials starting at 4 pm for all classes, and will feature eliminations for Street Trophy and Junior divisions. Friday and Saturday both feature an 11am start time, with eliminations set to be underway at approximately 2 pm each day.

More info can be found on the NMD website at NorthernMichiganDragway.com. NMD is located three miles north of Kaleva on Potter Road.

7/23/2008 - LAPEER DRAGWAY
Brian, I just checked out your aerial photo of your track ,it looks like you have a real nice track for the racers to run, you should be proud of your place. Also I like the way you run the 1/8 mi I wish every track would go to 1/8 mi. it is the safest all the way around .Nice track you have. Ed Vakula Lapeer Dragway
7/10/2007 - Steve Fraley
This is a great track to race at. Brian is doing a great job! Seems every year something new is added. I began racing at NMD(then Manistee County Dragway) in 1975! Right after my 16th birthday. This was the last dragstrip built in Michigan in, I think, 1973. We used to race 1/4 mile until someone felt the need to cut the shut down area in half. Then it went to 1/8 mile. The track shut down for awhile, until it was reopened in the late 80's by a group of racers and was run by them and eventually turned back over to the Ledfords. The track has seen many improvements over the last decade or so. After a resurfacing it was like racing on a pool table! And REAL flush toilets! Yes we have real indoor plumbing up north. The people are always friendly and the purse return for entry is the best in Michigan in my opinion. Although I've been laid up for several years I still have my race car and I do plan on returning to NMD!
12/5/2003 - Web
Located in the little finger of Mich used to pay out big purses in the seventies, racers from Detroit and Canada would make the loong trip. It was owned by Jim Ledford who later bought Central Michigan Dragway and turned it into Mid Michigan Motorplex.
 Photos:40
Northern Michigan Dragway - Head Hunter (newer photo)
Head Hunter (newer photo)
Northern Michigan Dragway - Donnie Benz Camaro
Donnie Benz Camaro
Northern Michigan Dragway - Dylan B
Dylan B
Northern Michigan Dragway - Kbigelow
Kbigelow
Northern Michigan Dragway - Louiselle
Louiselle
Northern Michigan Dragway - Mikus Blanchard
Mikus Blanchard
Northern Michigan Dragway - Ney
Ney
Northern Michigan Dragway - Omar
Omar
Northern Michigan Dragway - Pro Trophy Champs David Evans (Monte Carlo) And Kyle Kidder (Camaro)
Pro Trophy Champs David Evans (Monte Carlo) And Kyle Kidder (Camaro)
Northern Michigan Dragway - Adams Mccormick
Adams Mccormick
Northern Michigan Dragway - Mike Bouwsma Wheelie
Mike Bouwsma Wheelie
Northern Michigan Dragway - Eric Johnson 2022 Photo From Brian Ledford
Eric Johnson 2022 Photo From Brian Ledford
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - Bob Vandewater
Bob Vandewater
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway - 2012 Points Opener 1
2012 Points Opener 1
Northern Michigan Dragway - 2012 Points Opener 2
2012 Points Opener 2
Northern Michigan Dragway - 2012 Points Opener 3
2012 Points Opener 3
Northern Michigan Dragway - Chuck Kurzawa From Ralph Pitlock
Chuck Kurzawa From Ralph Pitlock
Northern Michigan Dragway - Cory Mikus And Gang From Sharon Ledford
Cory Mikus And Gang From Sharon Ledford
Northern Michigan Dragway - From Steve Fraley
From Steve Fraley
Northern Michigan Dragway -  From Sharon Ledford
From Sharon Ledford
Northern Michigan Dragway - From John Tatreau
From John Tatreau
Northern Michigan Dragway - From John Tatreau
From John Tatreau
Northern Michigan Dragway - From John Tatreau
From John Tatreau
Northern Michigan Dragway - From John Tatreau
From John Tatreau
Northern Michigan Dragway - From John Tatreau
From John Tatreau
Northern Michigan Dragway - Aerial Photo
Aerial Photo
WaterWinterWonderland.com © 2024 Over 71,911,143 Served