There are drag-and-drive events, and then there is Alaska Speed Week.
The roads are longer, the evenings are spent racing beneath the midnight sun, and only one finish line sits at an actual drag strip. It’s a uniquely Alaskan take on drag-and-drive racing that combines competition, adventure, and some of the most spectacular scenery in motorsports.
Four years ago, Michelle Lackey, owner of Alaska Raceway Park in Palmer, Alaska, had a vision for creating a drag-and-drive event unlike any other in the country. Today, that vision has become a reality.
Competitors raced through a landscape filled with mountains, rivers, glaciers, and even active airfields, creating a backdrop unlike anything found in the Lower 48.
Unique Challenges Only Found In Alaska
One of the most fascinating aspects of Alaska Speed Week is the list of challenges competitors face that simply don’t exist at most drag-and-drive events.
Drivers had to remain alert for moose and other wildlife, navigate construction zones that forced them to travel miles on gravel roads while running race tires, and deal with frost heaves that can impact road conditions and asphalt integrity.
Some checkpoints and race locations also required competitors to remain aware of incoming aircraft traffic at active airstrips.
At Nenana Airport, racers faced another unique challenge: a shorter shutdown area. Drivers had to be especially precise with their braking after each pass.
That challenge became very real for Tim Wilson when a parachute failure sent his car into the trees beyond the shutdown area. Fortunately, Wilson walked away uninjured. Despite tearing the bumper off the car, he repaired the damage and completed the remainder of the event—an impressive display of the determination and resilience that define drag-and-drive racers.
More Than Just Racing
The adventure didn’t stop at the finish line.
Between race locations, competitors visited several iconic Alaska checkpoints, including:
- Matanuska Glacier Viewpoint
- Milepost 1320
- Big Delta Bridge & Pipeline
- North Pole, Alaska
- Mitchell Speedway
- Purple Heart Veterans Memorial
- Capitol Speedway
These destinations helped make Alaska Speed Week as much a road-trip adventure as it was a racing competition.
2026 Alaska Speed Week Winners
DYO Champion
Richard Bogan — 2017 Dodge Challenger
DYO Runner-Up
Michele Roland — Roland Racing, 2021 Chevrolet Corvette C8
Ice Breaker Award
Nikki McDonald — 2002 Mazda
The Ice Breaker Award recognizes the competitor who is most consistent compared to their original dial-in from the start of the event.
Spirit Award
Hannah Riddle — 1975 Chevrolet Camaro
Motorcycle Champion
Kyle Hoagland — 2016 A.P.E. Raceparts GSXR 600
Fastest Pass
Tim Wilson — Wilson’s Performance 2017 Ford Mustang GT
The Stories That Defined Alaska Speed Week
Like every great drag-and-drive event, Alaska Speed Week is about more than elapsed times and trophies.
Two stories stood out above all others during the 2026 event.
The first belonged to Wyatt Stengel, who didn’t simply travel to Alaska to race, he rode there on the same motorcycle he competed with.
Stengel made the journey from Longmont, Colorado, to Alaska aboard his 1979 Honda XR500 before lining up to race. His trip perfectly captured the adventurous spirit that makes Alaska Speed Week special.
The second memorable story involved Hannah Riddle and her father, John Riddle.
This was Hannah’s first experience drag racing, and she chose to make her debut at a drag-and-drive event with her father riding as a passenger. The pair spent the week competing together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.
A Community Effort
Events like Alaska Speed Week don’t happen without dedicated people working behind the scenes.
Special recognition goes to Tim Wilson, Steve Lord, and Jerry Pierce for their efforts in helping make the event possible.
The event also received valuable support from its sponsors:
- Alaska Raceway Park
- Wilson’s Performance
- Midtown Auto Glass & Detail
- Skyline Signs
- Coca-Cola of Alaska
Their contributions helped bring another successful Alaska Speed Week to life.
Drag-And-Drive Racing Under The Midnight Sun
From mountain views and glacier checkpoints to race cars cruising gravel roads and competing at active airfields, Alaska Speed Week continues to prove it is one of the most unique drag-and-drive events in North America.
For racers looking for an experience that combines competition, endurance, and adventure, Alaska Speed Week offers something that no other event can: drag racing beneath the midnight sun in one of the most beautiful places on Earth.
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