The Unique Drag Racing Culture of Northern Michigan Dragway
Down a dirt road, among the trees, there’s a place to race.
Miles from the city lights, Northern Michigan Dragway has found its way into the hearts of those who yearn for a simpler way to worship acceleration.
The Ledford family has been running Northern Michigan for over 50 years. What was once a subsistence farm was turned into a drag strip in 1970, capitalizing on the mainstream popularity the sport was enjoying at the time.
Built Back Better – Kevin Partin and His ’67 Chevy II Make the Most of Second Chances at Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil!
The concept of a ‘Barn Find’ has become somewhat played out. But fortunately cars like Kevin Partin’s ’67 Chevy II come along every now and then to remind us what the concept is all about. Not just blowing the dust off, but elevating a machine to new levels.
Kevin’s now a quarter-century into his ownership of this car, during which it has had dozens of combinations, but none so quick as what it carries currently.
Miles Ahead – Aydan Bailey Makes Home State Stand at Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil to Earn First Drag and Drive Event Win!
When your father is one of the biggest names in drag and drive, it’s going to take something special to break out of his shadow.
Aydan Bailey’s victory at Sick Michigan Miles 2026 presented by Driven Racing Oil was his spotlight moment.
Tim Ford’s Nissan 240SX might be having an identity crisis. But whether it’s drag, drift or street, success and fun seem to be in the DNA.
“I tell as many car enthusiasts as I can about drag and drives, specifically Sick hosted events,” he said. “It’s such a great community to be involved in, in any capacity. We’re looking forward to the next one!”
Jon Moore Hopes Off-Season Upgrades Results in ‘Moore Speed’ and puts the ‘Crown’ in His Unique Crown Victoria at Sick Week 2026
Getting more than its share of double takes, the ‘4 x 4 Crown Vic’ of Jon Moore has gotten the last laugh on several people, clocking single digit times as several drag and drive events since he acquired it.
Since his drag-and-drive debut at Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in 2023, where Moore clocked a 10.14 average, Moore has continued to step up his performance. Now, he looks to up his game again for the 2026 edition of Sick Week.
The Details of Sick Ward, and the Sick Spit Show & Shine – How You Can Participate in a Sick The Magazine Event in 2026!
After a decade of participating in drag and drive events, Sick The Magazine hosted our first event in 2022, Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive. 2026 will mark a five-year anniversary for the event, and since then we have added in the Motion Raceworks Sick Summer event, plus two to four more events each year.
We realize that an event is not just about the results and the awards, but “For The Adventure” as Tom Bailey, founder of Sick The Magazine, has stated since we started. That philosophy plays into not only how we approach each event, but also looks beyond the competition, including our Summit Racing Equipment Sick Ward Presented by PEAK Performance, and Sick Spit Show & Shine options.
The Deuce Box Dominates – Aydan Bailey Uses Consistency and Fine Tuning to Earn First Drag and Drive Event Win at Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil!
A lot of the drag and drive community knows about Tom Bailey and his accomplishments in both the original ‘Sick Seconds’ ’69 Camaro, as well as the upgraded ’69 Camaro known as ‘Sick Seconds 2.0.’
But Tom’s son Aydan has been slowly ironing out his own ride, a 1957 Chevrolet station wagon that has competed in a handful of events since its debut at Sick Summer 2023. Just over two years after that first event, Aydan scored his first overall victory at the recent Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil.
To fully understand the success of Aydan’s recent win in Michigan, let’s take a trip back to the first Sick The Mag drag and drive event, Sick Week 2022 Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive.
Choosing Your Drag and Drive Adventure – Why Change Is Good, and Why Staying the Same Is Important as Well
Since the very beginning of the drag and drive event structure, change has been part of the plan. Each and every year, Hot Rod Drag Week has changed tracks, routes and in some cases, classes.
Since that first event in 2005, over 50 more drag and drive events have been created, and while some follow the same plan of changing tracks at a minimum each year, some have held true to the same tracks, to the appeal of the competitors and spectators alike.
Home State Heroics - Aydan Bailey Scores First Win, As We Wrap Up Seven Days Exploring the Roads, The Lakes, The Sights and Four Race Tracks on Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil
Sick The Magazine started in mid-2021 with the first print magazine dedicated to the drag and drive community, and although most featured an event would follow at some point, Sick Week Presented by Gear Vendors Overdrive in 2022 caught some by surprise.
Since then, we’ve added Sick Summer Presented by Motion Raceworks as an annual event starting in 2023, and a one-off event each year as well.
2025 marked the opportunity for Sick The Magazine to showcase our home state of Michigan, and Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil was held over the last seven days.
Aydan Bailey Bounces Back at Northern Michigan Dragway to Reclaim the Lead After Day Three of Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil in Michigan
After Mother Nature spoiled our plans for racing at Mid-Michigan Motorplex on Tuesday, August 12th, Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil made its way north through Michigan to Kaleva and Northern Michigan Dragway.
Although we were greeted by some fog to start the morning, some great racing action took place. We witnessed some shuffling in the top ten, including a new leader, some personal bests, as well as some competitors making their case for not only a category title, but also the Pure Michigan Award.
Persistent Rain Nullifies Racing at Mid-Michigan Motorplex on Day 2, but a Solid Day of Cruising and Exploring Michigan is the Result, as Sick Michigan Miles Heads to Northern Michigan Dragway
After a solid first day of competition on the Sick Michigan Miles drag and drive event, and the drive from Milan to Stanton, Michigan complete, we caught rumblings of Mother Nature looking to rain on the activities on Day Two, August 12th, at Mid-Michigan Motorplex.
Despite the best efforts of the Ledford family to give us a solid surface, rain hit the track just minutes before we were about to call competitors to the staging lanes.
So, instead cars and trucks were changed back to street mode, before visiting a trio of checkpoints over 191 miles to prep for Day Three at Northern Michigan Dragway.
Following Day Zero Transmission Issues, Evan Uerkwitz Produces a 5.11 at 136 mph Pass to Lead the field After Day One of Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil in Michigan
With Day One of the Sick Michigan Miles drag and drive event leading into a week-long exploration of Michigan and four different tracks, some woke on Monday morning, August 11th with high hopes, and maybe even calm nerves.
Then, there are those that barely got their rides buttoned up in time to roll through the Darana Dragway gate, lacking sleep, test time, and possibly a functioning credit card due to all the last-minute parts ordering.
No matter which way a competitor got to Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, Day One started with our traditional drivers meeting, before the Darana Dragway crew let the enthusiasts loose on a freshly-prepped surface to see who would gain the quick time slips and early momentum for the event.
Aydan Bailey Leads Day Zero Testing on Sick Michigan Miles, as Competitors, Sick Ward and Sick Spit Show & Shine Gear Up for Seven Days of Drag and Drive Adventure in Michigan
After two years with three drag and drive events under the Sick The Magazine banner each year, 2025 marks the first time Sick The Mag expanded to a pair of ‘one-off’ events versus one each year in 2023 and 2024.
Based in Michigan, Tom Bailey and the Sick The Mag crew talked about putting together an event in our home state. They got together and came up with the details to arrive at Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, August 10-17th, 2025.
Sunday, August 10th was Day Zero, which is normally tech and check-in, as well as a test session for competitors to have a chance to iron out any last-minute details on their rides before Monday, August 11th, when the laps would start to count towards their averages.
Frank Webb and Evan Uerkwitz Thrash to Get Their 7-Second Rides Ready for Sick Michigan Miles – Will Either Challenge for the Overall Title Despite Rolling in Untested?
After attending several drag and drive events, Evan Uerkwitz and Frank Webb have been burning the midnight oil in an effort to get their 7-second rides ready in time for next week’s Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil.
Although both rides have clocked several 7-second passes on the quarter-mile format, and been in the running for class wins, will either of them overcome recent changes and contend for the overall title at Sick Michigan Miles?
Day Three of Sick Michigan Miles Lands at Northern Michigan Dragway Next Week – The Info on Our Third Sick The Mag Track Shirt That Ties the Track, and a Michigan Business, Together
As Sick Michigan Miles Presented By Driven Racing Oil rolls into the third day of competition, we hit the northernmost track on our route, Northern Michigan Dragway.
With four tracks and five days of racing, we’re also introducing our third track shirt, and providing the details on the track, as well as a Michigan-based business, that made the shirt.
Sick Michigan Miles Visits Mid-Michigan Motorplex Next Week for Day Two – The Story Behind the Track, and the Sick The Mag Track Shirt That Ties the Track and a Michigan Business Together
In one week, we’ll be on the second day of the ‘one-time-only’ Sick Michigan Miles Presented By Driven Racing Oil.
Based in Michigan, Sick The Magazine is showcasing our home state with a drag and drive event entirely in Michigan.
After two days at the revamped Darana Dragway in Milan, Sick Michigan Miles moves to Mid-Michigan Motorplex in Stanton.
This is the second of five stories about Michigan, the track we’re visiting on that day, and showcasing the official shirt for each track that incorporates the track, as well as a Michigan business.
Going the Extra Mile – Sick Michigan Miles Starts in One Week at the Revamped Darana Dragway in Milan, and We Highlight the First Track Shirt That Pays Tribute to the Track and a Michigan Business
We’re one week away from the start of our first ‘one-off’ drag and drive event of 2025, Sick Michigan Miles Presented By Driven Racing Oil.
Sick The Magazine is based in Michigan, and it’s been a goal to showcase the state with an event entirely in Michigan.
In the first of five stories about Michigan, we will be highlighting the track we’re visiting, and showcasing the official shirt for each track that incorporates the track, as well as a Michigan business.
Double Down – Adam Hodson Hopes to Ride Winning Ways from Back To The Streets Event for a Double-Up in Michigan, at Both Roadkill Nights and Sick Michigan Miles!
As part of a group of street car enthusiasts for Indiana called Team 260, Adam Hodson has participated in several events, usually with a large crew. From drag and drive events, to no prep-style races, Adam did a lot of events in an 8-second Chevrolet Camaro, usually alongside his Indiana friends.
That crew came into play during the 2020 season of Horsepower Wars, which resulted in the acquisition of the Chevrolet S-10 pick-up. Adam recently guided that truck to the win in Small Tire at the Back To The Streets drag and drive, and now is preparing for back-to-back events in Michigan, including Roadkill Nights and Sick Michigan Miles.
Rock You Like a Hurricane – Morgan Evans to Return to Roadkill Nights Looking to Defend Her Grudge Match Title, Before Doing Her Third Drag and Drive Event on Sick Michigan Miles the Very Next Day!
One year ago, at M1 Concourse in Michigan, Morgan Evans rolled into Roadkill Nights the one that most didn’t expect to win. After all, the Florida driver came in with one of the heavier entries, an ’87 Dodge D150 pick-up, and just a handful of runs from a mid-week test session.
But Morgan defied the odds, and took her Hurricane-swapped pick-up truck to the final round victory. It kicked the door open of Morgan wanting to race more, and now, Morgan and fiancé Jason Kastner prepare for a return to Roadkill Nights, as well as spending a week in Michigan on Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil.
New Chapter, New Upgrades, New Name - Milan Dragway Gets a Host of Updates, and Becomes Darana Dragway in Time for This Weekend’s IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series, and Sick Michigan Miles Next Month!
The International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) has been the subject of multiple news stories in 2025, as the series has come back with national events that include professional classes, as well as a return to their sportsman classes too.
The IHRA also got a lot of attention for the purchasing of several race tracks, including Milan Dragway, which hosts the second of five IHRA Outlaw Nitro Series events for 2025 this weekend under its new name, Darana Dragway.
Darana Dragway will also be the host track for next month's Sick Michigan Miles Presented by Driven Racing Oil, August 10-17th!