Opened in 1966 by Joe LaRoque as St. Mary’s Drag-O-Way, the first event was the NASCAR Top Fuel Championships won by Ronnie Still in a Hemi Small Block Chevy. In 1967, local car dealer Bill Cairns bought the facility and renamed it Budds Creek Raceway. He ran it until 1972 when Tod Mack and Larry Clayton purchased the facility.
They gave the facility the present Maryland International Raceway name. Several events proved to be major hits with the fans. With an overwhelming demand, first U.S. Pro Stock Open track ran out of tickets.
In late 1989, Royce and Linda Miller leased the facility from Mack and Clayton. Miller purchased the facility in February 1998 after the lease agreement ended.
Over the years, Maryland International Raceway has gone through a number updates and additions from a new modern tower, Musco lighting, plenty of paved pits and the nicest restrooms of any track anywhere.
The track has been prominently featured on programs such as PINKS, the Speed Channel show where two drivers went head-to-head in a best two out of three races with the winner taking home the losers car.
However, what attracts so many people to MDIR is the diversity of its schedule. Many traditional forms of racing take place such as the IHRA Summit Sportsman Spectacular, Pro-Mods, and Door Warz. The action-packed schedule features something for any race fan or athlete.
Events such as HDAY caters to Honda and Acura cars. The Xtreme Dragbike Association is run by Royce and Linda’s sons, Chris and Jason Miller.
Besides racing cars and motorcycles, MDIR also hosts Spartan Races where athletes take part in a grueling three-mile obstacle course to test their endurance.
The track’s biggest event of the year, the 23rd annual Haltech World Finals takes place October 31 to November 4. The Import vs. Domestic competition attracts over 30,000 plus spectators to the facility alone, has opened the door to allow the historic facility to grow within the community.
“We have such a diverse schedule that brings people from all walks of life to Maryland International Raceway,” Maryland International Raceway President Royce Miller said. “The track provides something for everyone be it import racers to Spartan races.”
Miller credits that to the track location located just outside of the Baltimore- Washington- Northern Virginia corridor and is the largest drag racing complex in the region.
History was made at Maryland International Raceway on June 9 with the first-ever all-female starting line and waterbox officiating team during the International Drag Bike League™ (IDBL) Sport Nationals presented by M2 Shocks event.
Sisters; Christel Andy of Dahlgren, Virginia and Traci Andy also of Dahlgren, Virginia along with Jessica Leonard of Mechanicsville, Maryland took the reins during the Friday night testing and Gambler’s Race session leading up to the event that was completed on Saturday.
“This is not just a token all-female starting line crew for publicity. These ladies are good at their positions and get the job done,” Miller commented.
Maryland International Raceway is one of the premier destinations for racers and fans. No matter what kind of racing action you seek, you will find it at Maryland International Raceway.
For more information on Maryland International Raceway, visit www.racemdir.com or the track Facebook page.
