Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

Tony Hoffer · Moderator

Minnesota dragways

bowtie · Secretary

We were looking at houses in that area and I drove through the neighborhood. It's pretty close to where I live now. Not a remnant to be found, unfortunately.

Tony Hoffer · Moderator

Here is an overaly of the old dragstrip and some the streets that now cover it

Lost in the 60s · President

I didn't know they had developed it. Last I knew it was a Yamaha test ground...

Chris R · 2K+ Club

I didnt realize that either and thought the same thing. What a shame.

Robredy · Member

I find this very interesting. I am 45 so I am to young to have any experiences at the track. My dad did have some stories about running his 53 Ford there back in the day. Was there also a dragstrip just north of 694 on 35? I recall seeing one around there back in the 70"s when we used to go to my grandparents cabin?

Dave Seitz · Mega Poster

Robredy wrote:
I find this very interesting. I am 45 so I am to young to have any experiences at the track. My dad did have some stories about running his 53 Ford there back in the day. Was there also a dragstrip just north of 694 on 35? I recall seeing one around there back in the 70"s when we used to go to my grandparents cabin?

That was NorthStar dragways you are thinking of, gone as well.

Robredy · Member

Yes, That is the one. I had no idea they were that close to each other.

Lost in the 60s · President

I still have timing slips from Northstar with my '70 SS 454. They would be from around '78-79.

I got to see the "Snake" and Mongoose" race there. Best of 3 and of course each won one round until the 3rd race. The last heat came at sunset so we could see the blue flames out the stacks that aren't visible in the daylight. They both smoked the tires thru the entire quarter mile and then the spectators got to go on the track to see it. Absolutely stunning the power it takes to make 4 tracks about 28" wide for 1320 feet !!!

I went to Mn Dragways a few times to watch the big guns in the 70's but never ran a car there.

John D · 2K+ Club

Up until a few years ago you could see an "unusual" stripe of land, with symmetrical light poles headed west, from I-35W (near Cty I/J/Lake). There was a bunch of semi-trailers parked in a lot immediately north. Was this Northstar or MN Dragways??

Lost in the 60s · President

John D wrote:
Up until a few years ago you could see an "unusual" stripe of land, with symmetrical light poles headed west, from I-35W (near Cty I/J/Lake). There was a bunch of semi-trailers parked in a lot immediately north. Was this Northstar or MN Dragways??
That was Northstar. Medtronic bought most of the land and covered it with a building and manicured grounds a few years back. I can't really see any indication of the old track anymore...