Drag Races to Celebrate the Fourth in Glyndon

Campers were invited to set up on Friday night, and racing began at 10 A.M. both Saturday and Sunday.

GLYNDON, Minn. (KVRR) – The roar of engines was a constant presence the Fourth of July weekend at Interstate Raceway off 70th Street Southwest.

This is the first drag strip in the state of Minnesota, opening all the way back in 1959.

But for the last three years, it’s laid dormant.

That was until Rolie Racing stepped in to bring the drag races back.

“It’s a historical site,” explained co-owner Chuck Rolie.

“These guys are just so excited to see it back up and alive again and bigger and better than ever.”

Rolie says the feedback they’ve gotten over this racing season has been a reward in of itself, and that the community aspect of the racing world is always wonderful to see.

“We got some of our younger racers that have joined the trophy class, and they’re sitting there and talking with the older gentlemen. They’re like ‘You gotta do this, don’t do this, watch for that,’ you know, teaching them,” said Rolie.

“One of the guys got beat by the kids he was teaching,” laughed Rolie. “He was happy about it, though. He was happy.”

Nowhere is that spirit more evident than within Chuck’s own family – with his grandfather, 81-year-old Donald McGuire, out at the track, taking in the whole spectacle.

“I’m feeling great. Like I said, I’m so proud of them that they’re doing this,” said Don. “This is what’s keeping me young.”

The Rolie’s goal? Keep those engines revving for a long time.

This was the third Rolie Racing event at Interstate Raceway of the summer season.

They have two more to go – in August and September – and are always looking for new participants.