Tri-City Dragway is a historic drag strip that first opened its gates in June 1966 in Freeland, Michigan. Built by Saginaw businessman Reed Draper, the quarter-mile track quickly gained national recognition for its exceptionally smooth surface, advanced timing systems, and ability to host thousands of spectators. During its operation, the Dragway became one of the fastest and most respected tracks in the country, drawing legendary racers such as Connie Kalitta and Shirley Muldowney, and serving as the stage for major NHRA-sanctioned events. Although the strip closed in 1978 following a racer boycott and management disputes, its legacy has endured in the memories of fans and competitors alike.
Our organization, Tri-City Dragway Inc., was officially established on May 21, 2024, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to preserving and celebrating this rich motorsports history. Today, we host the annual Tri-City Dragway Car Show, an event that attracts hundreds of classic and custom vehicles and thousands of attendees from across the state. Beyond the car show, we are leading the effort to restore the old drag strip, protect its historic structures, and engage the community in shaping its future.
At the same time, we are deeply committed to being an active part of the Saginaw community. Through our events, preservation work, and outreach efforts, we strive to create opportunities that enrich local life, foster pride in our shared history, and bring people together. Our goal is not only to honor the past but to benefit the community as much as possible, today and for years to come.

Tri-City Dragway Inc. is guided by a dedicated Board of Directors which plays a vital role in shaping the future of our organization by overseeing finances, ensuring responsible use of funds, and setting strategies that support our mission. Together, the board is united by a deep care for the Saginaw community and a commitment to making a lasting difference through preservation, revitalization, and engagement.
Members
President – Micah Fleming
Vice President – Don Morse
Secretary – Connie Johnson
Treasurer – Tj Coleman
Grounds Director – Paul Wright
Communications Director – John Kelly
Sponsorship/Partnership Director – Adam Pfenninger
Car Show Director – Tony Paris
Car Show Assistant Director – Kevin Collins
Car Show Assistant Director – Tony Svetic
Car Show Assistant Director – Mason Weisenberger
Volunteer Director – open position
Margaret Mead
At Tri-City Dragway Inc., we respect and protect your privacy. Any personal information submitted through our website — including contact forms, volunteer sign-ups, or donations — is used solely by our organization and will never be sold, traded, or shared outside of Tri-City Dragway Inc.
We collect information only for organizational purposes, such as responding to inquiries, processing donations, coordinating volunteers, and keeping our community informed. In addition, we may use aggregated, non-identifiable data to better understand our audience reach and supporter patterns. This helps us improve our events, communication, and community impact.
Tri-City Dragway Inc. exists to write the next chapter of reopening the strip, restoring what time has worn down, and giving this community a place to gather around the sport and history it has never stopped loving.
Our annual car show, held on the second weekend of August, has rapidly become one of the premier automotive events in the state. It is the second-largest show in the Saginaw region, surpassed only by the Frankenmuth Auto Fest, and now stands as the second biggest in the Mid-Michigan area.
In the early 1960s, Reed Draper, the owner of the Saginaw GM dealership and a respected community leader, visited a drag strip in the South and was instantly captivated by the thrill of the racing. Inspired, Draper was wanted to bring a drag strip to his own community.