61st annual Merrill Ice Drags draws many first-time attendees

The Merrill Ice Draggers kicked off its 61st annual Merrill Ice Drags season on Jan. 31, 2026, after an extended wait for cold-enough temperatures. The start of the racing season was delayed as racers waited for the ice to get thick enough in the bay that is accessible from the boat landing at Council Grounds State Park.

Merrill Winterfest race - Jan. 31
The first official race was dubbed “Merrill Winterfest” and was delayed by a week, and “Test and Tune Day” had also been canceled two weeks earlier.
The event drew competitors from Minnesota and across Wisconsin to compete on what organizers call “the fastest 1/8 mile on ice.”
Organizers said it was a strong turnout, with many first-time participants bringing their crews and families to take part in the long-running Merrill tradition. “Many new racers brought their crews and family to participate,” organizers said. “Most have never been here before and plan to return.”

Organizers said the day was marked by both competitive racing and a strong sense of community. “It was a great day of racing and camaraderie,” they said.

Race results from Week 1 - Jan. 31:
2-wheel rubber tire: 1st, Dan Hixon, E.T. 26.238; 2nd, Randy Rogness, E.T. 35.105.
4-wheel-drive rubber tire: 1st, Tom Narlock, E.T. 18.156; 2nd, Kyle Osimitz, E.T. 18.789.
11.0 second: 1st, Dakota Pingel, E.T. 12.094, R.T. .441; 2nd, Scott Davis, E.T. 12.067, R.T. .511.

Easy Street II: 1st, Steve Traeger, E.T. 8.340; 2nd, Kyle Bohman.
10.0 second: 1st, Cullen Bump, E.T. 10.166; 2nd, Dakota Pingel, E.T. 10.315.
Ultimate Street: 1st, Austin Willis, E.T. 7.297, MPH 118.01; 2nd, Jesse Benz, E.T. 8.119, MPH 89.24.
9.0 second: 1st, Steve Traeger, E.T. 9.414; 2nd, Josh Graap, E.T. 8.919.
Modified Production: 1st, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.376, MPH 110.56; 2nd, Dallas Hanson, E.T. 7.708, MPH 107.81.
8.5 second: 1st, Steve Traeger, E.T. 8.741, R.T. .206; 2nd, James McLaughlin, E.T. 8.697, R.T. .299.
Altered: 1st, Dallas Hanson, E.T. 7.681, R.T. .124, MPH 107.58; 2nd, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.311, R.T. .428, MPH 111.29.
8.0 second: 1st, Joel Frisch, E.T. 8.194, MPH 100.03; 2nd, Scott Stricklin, E.T. 8.459, MPH 92.49.
7.0 second: 1st, Dallas Hanson, E.T. 8.369, MPH 104.23; 2nd, Chris Wachel, E.T. 9.967, MPH 90.18.
Open Door Slammer: 1st, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.197, MPH 113.18; 2nd, Mike Bohman, E.T. 7.419, MPH 106.45.
Outlaw: 1st, Keith Krueger, E.T. 6.450, MPH 126.40; 2nd, Chris Wachel, E.T. 8.280, MPH 94.36.

People’s Choice Day - Feb. 7
The second week of the World Championship Merrill Ice Drags brought People’s Choice Day to Lake Alexander on Feb. 7, adding some extra festivities alongside the racing action.
One fan each year is selected to receive an exclusive pit tour, getting an up-close look at the competing vehicles, then selecting his or her favorite vehicle. This year’s honoree was James McLaughlin, whose 1957 Chevy gasser-style car — which he calls “Heart of Gold” — drew the nod from the fan and the crowd and received the People’s Choice Award trophy.
Kyle Osimitz, owner of Auto Skins, continued his own tradition on the ice, making sure no child left empty-handed. Osimitz made his way around the lake handing out Hot Wheels cars to every kid in attendance, because every kid deserves a car of their own to remember the Merrill Ice Drags.

Organizers said it was another strong day for families at the track. “Another great day of family fun at the track with the Merrill Ice Draggers,” they said.

Race results from Week 2 - Feb. 7:
2-wheel rubber tire: 1st, Penny Pophal, E.T. 22.445; 2nd, Dan Hixon, E.T. 27.284.
4-wheel-drive rubber tire: 1st, Tom Narlock, E.T. 19.633; 2nd, Mike Aylieff, E.T. 22.195.
11.0 second: 1st, Scott Davis, E.T. 10.913, MPH 52.6; 2nd, Isabelle Podeweltz, E.T. 10.411, MPH 62.3.

Easy Street II: 1st, Mandy Herning, E.T. 7.786, MPH 95.7; 2nd, Steve Traeger, E.T. 8.494, MPH 83.9.
10.0 second: 1st, Cullen Bump, E.T. 10.350, MPH 76.5; 2nd, Isabelle Podeweltz, E.T. 10.337, MPH 60.2.
Ultimate Street: 1st, Austin Willis, E.T. 8.045, MPH 80.3; 2nd, Kyle Bohman, E.T. 8.505, MPH 93.3.
9.0 second: 1st, Steve Traeger, E.T. 9.426; 2nd, Josh Graap, E.T. 9.241.
Modified Production: 1st, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.485, MPH 109.7; 2nd, Matt Filipiak, E.T. 8.020, MPH 89.6.
8.5 second: 1st, Josh Graap, E.T. 8.654, MPH 86.5; 2nd, Steve Traeger, E.T. 8.777, MPH 87.0.
Altered: 1st, Dallas Hanson, E.T. 7.696, MPH 105.1; 2nd, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.476, MPH 110.2.
8.0 second: 1st, Duston Koening, E.T. 8.076, MPH 84.1; 2nd, Zach Degner, E.T. 8.071, MPH 91.0.
7.0 second: 1st, Dallas Hanson, E.T. 7.835, MPH 104.6; 2nd, Kris Prideaux, E.T. 10.873, MPH 57.9.
Open Door Slammer: 1st, Ryan Podeweltz, E.T. 7.393, MPH 108.6; 2nd, Mike Bohman, E.T. 7.487, MPH 102.0.
Outlaw: 1st, Keith Krueger, E.T. 6.577, MPH 129.6; 2nd, Peter Vogels, E.T. 7.556, MPH 87.7.