NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

 photos by Kevin DiOssi

Last weekend in Pontiac, Mich., the ninth annual Roadkill Nights powered by Dodge took over the M1 Concourse with an action-packed weekend of motorsports entertainment that included drag racing, a car show, burnouts, fan ride-alongs, autograph sessions, and a huge manufacturer’s midway.

For many, the highlight of the event was an appearance by four-time Funny Car world champion Matt Hagan and European Top Fuel champ Ida Zetterstrom, who signed autographs, fired their 11,000 horsepower nitro cars for the fans, and did burnouts on the temporary dragstrip set up on the backstretch of the M1 road course.

The fans who attended the event, located on famed Woodward Ave., got their first glimpse of the paint scheme that Zetterstrom’s JCM Racing Top Fuel dragster will carry when it makes it’s long-awaited NHRA debut this weekend at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals at Brainerd Int’l Raceway. A departure from the green and orange colors that adorn most JCM entries, Zetterstrom’s car features a more patriotic red, white, and blue motif that highlights her association with VP Fuels, Edelbrock, Dodge, and Comp Cams, as well as JCM’s Leatherwood Distilleries.

“I’m super excited I had the chance to come out to Roadkill Nights with my Dodge family,” said Zetterstrom.  “We felt like this was a grand moment to show off our new 2024 debut livery, and it was great to be able to warm it up in front of a big crowd and to light those tires up for a big, smokey burnout down the M1 concourse.

“The fans seemed to love it, and that’s what it’s all about. I feel even more ready to hit the track in Brainerd for my NHRA debut now and show off the car and this new team when we’re really in our element. The livery is basically paying homage to me making my dreams come true by starting my racing journey here in USA this season, and I think it came out just perfect.”

Once again, MotorTrend organized two heads-up classes, dubbed Big Tire and Small Tire, and each category winner walked away with $5,000. There is also a $5,000 prize for the quickest Dodge in both Big Tire and Small Tire with a total drag racing purse of more than $30,000.  

The rules are simple: All cars are required to run DOT tires at all four corners, vehicles must be registered and insured, and safety gear for a vehicle’s performance is mandatory. Cars equipped with a max of 275/60 or 28 by 10.5 (as measured) tires are considered Small Tire racers. Vehicles equipped with tires larger than those sizes are placed in Big Tire and must adhere to the same street-legal requirements.

Sweden’s Mikael Borggren (right) claimed the small tire win with his amazing six-second Volvo station wagon, while Jim Kline (center) once again dominated the big-tire class with his ’66 Acadian.

Celebrity sightings included NHRA Top Fuel star Leah Pruett, who hung out with Mike Finnegan and David Freiburger, stars of popular MotorTrend shows, including Roadkill, Roadkill Garage, Engine Masters, and Faster with Finnegan.

Fans had the opportunity to take part in a number of cool experiences, including the Dodge Thrill Ride with supercharged Chargers and Challengers (above) as well as an off-road experience with Dodge Hornets.