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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.
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.