Track Comeback: Closed For Seven Years, Mid America Dragway Rebuilds

Closed for the past seven years, Mid America Dragway near Ark City, Kansas was a struggle in operation during its previous life. The track was your classic conversion from a former military airstrip. Along with the dragstrip, a huge amount of acreage was also converted for civilian purpose into various forms of agriculture.

The dragstrip is quarter-mile with 330-feet of concrete. Photos courtesy Chris Maybrier

Chris Maybrier and his family have been working on an effort to bring the ‘strip back to its former glory. The game changer is their effort to purchase just the dragstrip land from the farmer/landowner.

“The farmers who owned it raised constant concern about every aspect of the track’s operation in fear of liability coming back on them,” Maybrier says. “That came to a point when the track operators and landowner were in a constant state of arguing. During their disagreements, the landowner found a loophole in their lease and essentially told the track operators as long as he was alive, there will not be a racetrack there.”

Ark City Drone View

We can't wait to see what the future holds for this track!

Posted by 660Video.com on Sunday, February 4, 2018

With the track shuttered, time has passed, and the Maybriers have now formed a relationship with the family of the late farmer who had forbid the property to be a dragstrip. The Mid America Dragway acreage has been purchased, and the Maybriers are looking forward to diving into its restoration when spring arrives for 2018.

The entire Maybrier family has a long history as drag racers, especially at Mid America Raceway.

“My father, mother, sister, wife and three children with junior dragsters want to see this track come alive again,” says Maybrier. “The track has always been a Sunday track. With our family retail business open on Saturdays, we will see that tradition continue.”

He continues, “Our priority is to restore any problems with the track surface. Other than the brush and overgrowth, we think we have a very good starting point with the buildings, tower, and guardrails that were in use before the track closed. We even have the previous timing system, so as of right now we hope to get the track going this year.” 

Social media has sparked interest by racers in the prospect of the track coming back. A video by 660 Video shows the track in its current state.

“It looks a lot worse than it is, we will pay attention to the details of the infrastructure and get it going soon, says Maybrier. “Our Facebook page is lighting up with interest, and we will have midamericadragway.com live soon to keep everyone apprised of our progress.”

About the author

Todd Silvey

Todd has been a hardcore drag racing journalist since 1987. He is constantly on both sides of the guardwall from racing photography and editorship to drag racing cars of every shape and class.
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