What is new for Northwoods Drifter in 2026
While most Northwoods residents are busy scraping windshields and nursing their trucks through another Wisconsin winter, a dedicated crew in Merrill is doing exactly the opposite — they’re pointing their vehicles straight at the frozen expanse of Lake Alexander and hitting the gas. The Merrill Ice Draggers kicked off their 61st season this past weekend, proving once again that winter up north isn’t about hibernation, it’s about innovation.
If you’ve never witnessed drag racing on ice, you’re missing one of the most distinctly Wisconsin experiences you can have. Where else in the world can you watch a minivan line up against a top alcohol dragster on a frozen lake, both equipped with spiked tires that grip the ice like a lumberjack’s boots on a snowy trail? As Harley Hixon, Vice President of the Merrill Ice Draggers, puts it: “Pretty much the only place in the world where you race an eighth of a mile on ice.”
The story of the Ice Draggers starts in 1965, when a group of automobile enthusiasts in Merrill looked out at the long Wisconsin winter and asked themselves a question that could only come from the Northwoods: “Why should the fun stop when the lakes freeze?” What began as informal races has evolved into an institution, officially incorporated in 1970 and now celebrating over 60 years of putting rubber — and spikes — to ice.
The course on Lake Alexander has become legendary in racing circles. At just an eighth of a mile, it’s shorter than traditional drag strips, but what it lacks in length it makes up for in sheer uniqueness. The current course record stands at 5.431 seconds with a top speed of 141.6 MPH, numbers that seem impossible until you’re standing trackside, feeling the roar of engines and watching vehicles disappear in clouds of ice crystals.
One of the most appealing aspects of Ice Draggers events is the accessibility. This isn’t some exclusive club for professionals with six-figure racing budgets. Saturday’s opener featured everything from street-legal daily drivers in the rubber tire division to the crown jewel outlaws that routinely exceed 100 miles per hour on frozen water. Ya know that Toyota you drive to work? With the right preparation and a healthy dose of courage, you could race it next Saturday.
The rubber tire division serves as a perfect entry point for newcomers, offering a chance to experience the thrill without specialized equipment beyond basic safety gear. Meanwhile, the modified classes showcase the mechanical creativity that flourishes in Northwoods garages during those long winter months. Spiked tires — essential for gripping the ice surface — transform ordinary vehicles into ice-eating machines that would make even the most seasoned ice fisherman do a double-take.
Entry is open to racers as young as 14, creating a multigenerational community where teenagers line up alongside folks who’ve been racing since before they were born. Hixon himself has been involved since age four, a testament to how the Ice Draggers weave themselves into the fabric of local families. “I’ve been out here ever since I was four years old, running around,” he recalls, capturing the family-friendly atmosphere that makes these events more than just races.
What sets the Merrill Ice Draggers apart from other racing organizations is their deep commitment to the Northwoods community. While hundreds of spectators line the course each Saturday — admission is free, by the way — the impact extends far beyond entertainment. The organization channels its success back into the region through donations to causes that matter: Town of Corning First Responders, Friends of River Bend Trail, HAVEN Inc. for domestic abuse support, food pantries, humane societies, and even the Merrill City Band.
In 2018, the Ice Draggers partnered with Northcentral Technical College to create a scholarship program supporting motorsports education, ensuring that the mechanical knowledge and passion that fuels these events gets passed to the next generation. It’s this kind of forward-thinking investment that keeps small Northwoods communities vibrant when other rural areas struggle.
The events themselves foster a distinctly local atmosphere. You’ll find raffles, merchandise tables, and food trucks serving up hot meals that taste even better when consumed in sub-freezing temperatures. The commentary crackles with good-natured rivalries, and the side-by-side racing format means every run is a head-to-head battle rather than a solitary time trial.
Of course, ice drag racing comes with challenges that traditional motorsports never face. The entire season depends on Mother Nature’s cooperation, specifically her willingness to keep Lake Alexander frozen solid. The 2024 season was completely cancelled due to poor ice conditions, a stark reminder of how climate variability affects even the most established Northwoods traditions. Thankfully, 2025 rebounded with some of the best ice conditions in years, and the 2026 opener suggests another strong season ahead.
Optimal racing requires ice thick enough to support not just the vehicles but also the setup equipment and spectator areas. Thaws can create treacherous water-over-ice conditions, and inconsistent cold spells make planning difficult. It’s a uniquely Wisconsin challenge — one that requires patience, flexibility, and a community willing to show up whenever conditions allow. When the ice is good, the races go on, and everyone makes it work.
The Merrill Ice Draggers run races every Saturday at 11:30 a.m. on Lake Alexander, weather and ice conditions permitting. Whether you’re a gearhead who can discuss compression ratios over a fish fry or someone who just wants to experience something uniquely Northwoods, these events deliver. Free admission means you can bring the whole family without breaking the bank, and the chance to see vehicles doing things they were never designed to do is worth the drive from anywhere in Vilas, Oneida, or Lincoln counties.
As the season progresses toward its championship rounds, expect the competition to intensify and the speeds to climb. The outlaws will push closer to that course record, teenage rookies will make their first passes, and somewhere in the mix, a minivan might just surprise everyone. That’s the beauty of ice drag racing in Merrill — it’s unpredictable, it’s community-driven, and it’s authentically Wisconsin in a way that no amount of marketing could manufacture. This is what we do up north when winter tries to slow us down: we strap on some spikes and go faster.
Written by
Mike has been coming up or living in the Northwoods since his childhood. He is also an avid outdoorsman, writer and supper club aficionado.
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