MILAN, Mich. – When we first got word that Milan (Michigan) Dragway was going to host the 2024 Nostalgia Nationals Drags and Cars Show, you can bet that we set aside the date on our events calendar. Ford Marketing retiree and super enthusiast Bill Cook, who catches as many cars shows as he can for FordPerfomance.com with his trusty camera in hand, got up early on that Saturday in late September, and sent us this report:“I was out the door a 6:30 a.m. and arrived at Milan Dragway just prior to 8. For those not familiar with this popular Detroit-area drag racing venue, Milan Dragway had closed back in 2021 due to financial issues. The news hit racers and fans hard. It originally opened way back in 1964 and became a favorite for the quarter-mile crowd. Fortunately, not long after it went out of business, it was acquired by the new co-owners, Perry Merlo and Harold Bullock in 2022. Along with many improvements and its full schedule of events, it is now an NHRA track.“At the spectator gate I was greeted by a friendly gentleman in a Milan Dragway shirt (which turned out to be Perry Merlo himself!). We exchanged a few pleasantries, and he asked what I had planned for the day. I advised him that I was an automotive freelance photographer who attends approximately 35 auto events annually. I mentioned my Flickr photo albums which I distribute to several hundred enthusiasts and also supply to Ford Performance for use in the Enthusiasts Section of FordPerformance.com for the past 15 years.

“Perry then noticed my Ford Performance Staff shirt and asked if I had a Media Credential. In a flash, he directed to me to park in the pits and sent to me to Pam Merlo to sign a track waiver and pick up a Media Credential. They sure made a big impression with me – thanks, Perry and Pam!
It was a cool morning with lots of sun, making its way into the 80s by the afternoon. There was big turnout of racers and spectators, with tons of killer cars. I spent most of the morning walking the pit area and watching the exhibition runs up until noon. Then the drag racing started. There was a 50-50 drawing plus door prizes and club participation awards along with the all-day charity car show organized by the Southeast Michigan Hotrodders Gang, with part of proceeds going to Toys for Tots.
“The two-day 2024 Nostalgia Nationals Drags and Car Show event featured nostalgia Top Fuel Dragsters and Funny Cars, AA Gassers and SuperStocks, plus Gassers, Stick Shift, Nostalgia Comp and Brackets with cash awards. Milan even scheduled an appearance by Linda Vaughn of ‘Miss Hurst’ fame. It was nostalgia everywhere. I ended up staying seven hours!”

For a quick look at some of the old-school Fords on hand at the Nostalgia Nationals, check out some of Cook’s favorite shots below:

FORD PERFORMANCE PHOTOS / COURTESY BILL COOK