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: 40196
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 5/4/2025 From Brian Ledford:

Kaleva-

Northern Michigan Dragway hosted its 2025 Authentic 231 Racing Series season opener on Saturday. Despite frigid morning temperatures in the 30-degree range, over 170 entries braved the cool temperatures that barely broke 50 degrees at mid-day.

Three-time Bracket I champion, Bud Roof, had the fastest and most consistent race car on the premises. The East Jordan racer ran an elapsed time of 4.78 seconds, five out of six rounds, managing to pick up where he left off last season, atop the points standings with an opening day $1000 victory in his dragster. Kalkaska's Dustin Cesaro capped off an emotional day with a Bracket II $1200 victory, driving a Chevy S-10. Cesaro's 6 year-old son, Brantley, raced for his first time and took the semi-final finish in Mini Juniors.

Pro Trophy had the largest contingent with 59 entries. Jeremy Loose of Gladwin outlasted the field with his Chevy El Camino's impressive win. Street Trophy had a first-time winner. Jeanette Jamison of Manistee was all smiles at the Leonard Lindeman Memorial Winners' Wall, with her teammates proud of the victory achieved with her Pontiac Firebird.

Both Junior classes had first time winners in each. Tanner Savich of Fountain got his first win in the Advanced Junior Division in his first time moving up to the class. Maelynn Teachout of Brethren raced in competition for her very first time, and came away victorious in Mini Juniors.

NMD will be idle next weekend celebrating Mother's Day weekend. Racing action will continue the following weekend with two nights of racing. Statewide Towing Street Nights series will have its first event of the season on Friday May 16th evening, while the Authentic 231 Racing Series event #2 takes place May 17th.

NMD is located three miles north of Kaleva on Potter Road. Please visit NorthernMichiganDragway.com for a full schedule and points standings.


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:50
Northern Michigan Dragway - Matt Hospenthal
Matt Hospenthal
Northern Michigan Dragway - 2025 Season
2025 Season
Northern Michigan Dragway - Head Hunter
Head Hunter
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 - Chuck Small Block
Chuck Small Block
Northern Michigan Dragway - Heath Bates
Heath Bates
Northern Michigan Dragway - Tim Crandall
Tim Crandall
Northern Michigan Dragway - Helsel Roof
Helsel Roof
Northern Michigan Dragway - Adams Mccormick
Adams Mccormick
Northern Michigan Dragway - Terry M
Terry M
Northern Michigan Dragway - Jason Mcclelland
Jason Mcclelland
Northern Michigan Dragway - Mike Bouwsma Wheelie
Mike Bouwsma Wheelie
Northern Michigan Dragway - Skylar Randall - Bud Roof  - Ean Guenthardt
Skylar Randall - Bud Roof - Ean Guenthardt
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 - Bighorn
Bighorn
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
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