Kansas International Dragway

About Kansas International Dragway

Kansas International Dragway is an NHRA sanctioned quarter mile drag strip at 7800 West 61st Street North in Maize, Kansas, just northwest of Wichita. Racers call it KID. It opened in 1963 and has run for more than sixty seasons, which makes it one of the oldest continuously recognized drag racing facilities in the state. The track runs both quarter mile and eighth mile programs, and it has a bracket points season that covers everything from Super Pro down to Junior Dragsters.

Sixty Years on the Simon Family Farm

The strip was built in 1963 on farmland owned by Marcellus and Helen Simon. Marcellus went by Sally. In the decades since, the names that have run down this quarter mile include Don Garlits and Bill Jenkins from the sport’s earliest era, along with modern racers such as Scott Palmer and Alex Laughlin.

The track went dark for about a year before Sally and Helen’s granddaughter, Gwen Kelley, led the family in reopening it for its 60th season in 2024. The family put real money and labor into that restart, including a concrete launch pad, a full asphalt surface and an updated timing system, with more work planned. The current operators have been open about the fact that they inherited a facility needing repair, and they have kept fundraising and improvement projects visible to the racers rather than quiet.

Racing and Classes

The bracket program is the heart of the schedule. Points classes include Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, E.T. Motorcycle, Junior Dragster and Junior Street. Index classes run at 5.30, 5.80, 6.50 and 7.50. The season closes with the E.T. Finals, where the year’s points champions are crowned.

Two things stand out about that class list. First, motorcycles have their own points class rather than being folded into a car bracket, so bike racers get a real season. Second, the two junior classes mean kids can race here, which is a large part of why the place functions as a family operation rather than just a weekend venue.

Special Events

Full Throttle is the headline event, bringing Funny Cars, Pro Mods and Fuel Altereds to Maize for a nitro and blown alcohol show that is a different experience entirely from a bracket night.

Import Face Off is the other recurring fan favorite, a national touring import and sport compact event with racing, a car show and vendors. Summer Nationals has been the traditional two day midsummer weekend, though it has not run every year, so confirm before planning around it.

Beyond the racing calendar, the property hosts car shows, meets and swap meets through the warm months.

Getting There and What to Know

The track sits on 61st Street North in Maize, minutes from the north and west sides of Wichita and a short drive from Mid-Continent Airport. Parking is on site and the facility is set up for spectators of all ages.

There are 23 primitive RV and tailgate spaces available, sized to take rigs of any length. Primitive means no hookups, so plan for that if you are staying the weekend.

Test and tune sessions are part of the regular schedule, and the track actively welcomes first time racers, so this is a realistic place to make your first pass in a street car rather than a spectator only venue.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the track?

At Kansas International Dragway, It is a full quarter mile paved strip with a concrete launch pad. Eighth mile programs are also run.

When did it open?

1963, on farmland owned by the Simon family. It celebrated its 60th season in 2024 after reopening under the founders’ granddaughter.

What classes race there?

At Kansas International Dragway, Bracket points classes are Super Pro, Pro, Sportsman, E.T. Motorcycle, Junior Dragster and Junior Street, plus 5.30, 5.80, 6.50 and 7.50 index classes.

Can motorcycles race?

Yes. E.T. Motorcycle is a full points class with its own season champion.

Can kids race?

Yes. At Kansas International Dragway Junior Dragster and Junior Street are both points classes.

Can I race my street car?

Yes. Test and tune sessions and bracket racing are open to newcomers, and the track is set up to help first time racers get down the strip safely.

Is there camping?

There are 23 primitive RV and tailgate spaces with no hookups, able to accommodate any length of rig.

More information on Kansas International Dragway; Click here https://kidragway.com/

For more venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/auto/

For motorcycle venues click here: https://www.plainspowersports.com/category/motorcycle/