DRAG RACING ACTION ONLINE

TEXT  BY “NOSTALGIA MASHIE” MIHALKO AND VAN ABERNETHY

IMAGES MASHIE MIHALKO

The US 4I Motor-Plex story of redemption from a track going the wrong way to a flourishing racing venue is a case of modern succuss. The following story is an amalgam of recent Nostalgia racing at the Indiana venue by Staff Writer Mashie and a great piece by Drag Illustrated writer Van Abernethy who travels the US visiting little heard of drag strips.

Opened in 1994, US 41 Dragstrip was the pride of IHRA and a gem of a facility that represented the sanctioning body’s footprint in the upper Midwest, with a total of three national events being held there. By the late 1990s and into the early 2000s, US 41 Dragstrip began a downward spiral, led by a series of ownership changes that never seemed to work out as expected.

The state of decline seemed to be never-ending when suddenly a lifeline was extended by brothers Bill and Jim Hupke, who own a successful speed shop in Chicago and passionately wanted the dragstrip to succeed. The Hupke brothers bought the track  and thus began a turnaround effort to undo decades of neglect.

After years of improvement, the track located a few hours south of Chicago, continues to pack the pits with “No Prep” races along with Gasser and Nostalgia shows for the fans. The Area 41 Nostalgia Drags were no exception with some of the wildest cars invading the Morocco Indiana facility.

For the Area 41 Nostalgia Drags at US 4I Motor-Plex in Morocco, Indiana. The spectators and race car personnel enjoyed ideal weather conditions compared to 2025.

Last year the attendees endured real feel temperature of 108 degrees. This year the temperature was in the mid 70’s with a cool breeze.

The two day event featured a variety of nostalgic race vehicles older than 1975. Gassers, Super Stocks, Dragsters, Wheel standers, Altereds, and Pro Stocks filled the spacious pits of US 41. 

The racing was heads up with the vehicles running the full 1/4 mile. There were not any elimination rounds but many match races among the competitors.

Scheduled rounds of racing were held throughout Saturday between cars with similar ET’s.  Racers could also make passes between the scheduled competition.

A special race was held between the Brew City Gassers and the Nostalgia Super Stocks Inc Saturday evening. This contest is held whenever these two nostalgic clubs are at the same event. The Gassers gained ownership of the Cup Trophy until their next competition. A Big Thank You goes out to Mike Bilina for promoting the race.