“Look at the state of Michigan. Put your left hand out and see your thumbnail, that’s where The Ubly Dragway is located,” Janowiak said. “My dad helped built it and the family is still running it today.”

Yes, it is named The Ubly Dragway and the Janowiak family is doing more than just running it. Constructed in 1962, The Ubly Dragway is recognized as one of the best-run drag strips in the country. In 2017, it was selected International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Division 5 (Thunder) Track of the Year.

Perhaps the biggest reason for the track’s success is the personal touch shown by the Janowiak family. It’s a major reason they also choose the International Hot Rod Association as its sanctioning body as Dennis’ son Nick explained.

“With the IHRA team, we show that we’re dedicated to each other,” Nick Janowiak said. “We are dedicated to IHRA and IHRA gives back a lot of help to us. We try to promote who we are, where we’re from and where our guys came from. You don’t see that anywhere else. You’re able to talk to the IHRA guys face-to-face, over the phone and you don’t get that other places. It’s a lot of respect and we’re big on respect. After five years, it’s more like family.”

The Janowiaks found a family atmosphere at the International Hot Rod Association (IHRA) Summit World Finals. While the racing on the track was intense, they immediately hit it off with other IHRA members and track operators.

“Our second year in the Summit SuperSeries, our No-Box guy won the World Finals,” Nick Janowiak said. “To be down there and not only to represent himself, but his community, his state, his division and us as a track, as well as me being able to be down there with him, you could feel the fun, the camaraderie and it was awesome. You don’t get that anywhere else.

“When you walk on the property, you can talk to the IHRA officials, the starter and they will talk to you. It’s great at World Finals because you’re there with the best of the best.”

In addition to its participation in the IHRA Summit SuperSeries, The Ubly Dragway runs a number of big events throughout the year like the Budweiser Classic near the Fourth of July and its Labor Day race.

“Our holiday events are our biggest events,” Dennis Janowiak said. “Hopefully, our Halloween Classic will take off like our Mopar race.”

For more information visit theublydragway.com or the track’s facebook page.