Billed as the “Woodstock of Drag Racing,” the Rock & Race event at Dragway 42 in West Salem, OH, truly has something for everyone.
The event kicked off with a hot dog roast and corn boil for pre-registered racers, serving up 260 hot dogs and 500 ears of corn. The race itself featured hundreds of vehicles, ranging from street cars, muscle cars, hot rods, and lead sleds to gassers, dragsters, altereds, and funny cars. For the “Rock” portion of the weekend, 10 live bands performed across all three nights.
The car show was overflowing this year, with attendance growing each day. Highlights included cacklefest cars—featuring a tribute to the John Milner dragster from American Graffiti 2—as well as thrilling, smoky burnouts and wheelstands from the ScottRods AA/Gassers and Supercharged Gassers of America. Three nostalgia funny cars were also on hand, and there was a wheelie contest as well.
While a typical Rock & Race wouldn’t be complete without some rain, the sprinkles that did come down didn’t dampen the crowd’s spirits.
If you are in the Northeast Ohio area in late August next year, I highly recommend adding this event to your calendar. It is well worth the trip!
The John Milner tribute dragster.
Hollish Bros. Competition coupe.
Melissa Kwast launching her Dart.
David and Tyler Donohew’s altered.
Wayne Stine’s “Haymaker” Willys pickup getting some air.
Joel Larkin’s Super Stock Firebird.
Brian Conrey got behind the wheel of Steve Musser’s “Time Bomb” Vega for the first time and ran a 7.46 at the eighth mile, which was planned for his first run.
Jamison Griffin piloted Phil Landram’s Bedrock Bruiser funny car.
Alan Niedsposzinski got some unexpected air and wasn’t able to return.
Tom Kurak’s beautiful 53 Pontiac Chieftain “Kemosabe.”
Steven Kasicki in his injected dragster.
Bill Kloss
wfkloss@gmail.com
The post Photo Review: 2026 Rock & Race at Dragway 42 appeared first on Drag Racing List.
