Fifth annual Melt Down Drags at Byron Dragways

Words and photos by Dennis Mothershed

I have just died and walked into straight axle heaven. This is what my brain was telling me upon arrival into the pits of Byron Dragways on July 18th. The reputation that this race, show & swap meet was all that it was reputed to be. Gassers, Altereds, Altered Wheel Base Funny Cars, front engine Dragsters were everywhere. In the last 50 years, I have been to hundreds of drag strips and many nostalgia shows, but nothing like this. Spectators and participants alike came from all over the USA, Canada and Europe to relive the golden years of drag racing. Legendary world  class photographer Bob McClurg came all the way from Hilo Hawaii to photograph the event and help celebrate the 50th year of operation of Byron Dragways.

Before all of the restrictive rules, huge corporate dollars, mega buck race machines hauled around in million dollar tractor trailers, there was a time when the average gear head could build a car in his back yard with his buddies and have FUN. It seems today, if you want to race, you have to be prepared to re-finance the farm and sell most of your prize possessions just to be competitive at the drag strip. The Melt Down Drags were like a fresh breeze blowing the smoke away from the track surface. I saw more racing Studebakers and nose high machines at this race than I have seen in the last 30 years.