War In The Woods Isn't A Race...It's Family Gathering!!

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This fall marked the second time that I was able to go and cover the controversial yet epic event that is War in the Woods located at Brown County Dragway in Indiana. I no longer call this a race, I call it a family gathering that just happens to include drag racing.

Over the years, there have been those within the “mainstream” of drag racing that have had all kinds of things to say about War in the Woods, yet they have never made the trek to Brown County Dragway to actually experience the event. I have seen all the negative comments on social media regarding the event, the track, the fans, etc. and I am here to tell you as someone that has been around this industry for more than 35 years, War in the Woods is one of the greatest events in all of drag racing.

It was about three years ago that I experienced War in the Woods for the first time, and I was overwhelmed by the kindness of the people as well as the excitement that was generated from everyone in attendance that weekend. Fast forward to a couple of weeks ago and I was ready to be back and experience that excitement again. This last weekend was different though.

When I rolled through the gates on Friday lunchtime after an 8 hour journey up there, I knew that this was different than the first time that I was there. The place was already packed in the pits and the spectators were flowing in with their chairs and coolers. Three years ago I was parked pretty close to the track, and this time there were so many racers there that I was parked in what seemed like a different county.

The heat and humidity on Friday was absolutely unbearable for me as a photographer, and that’s coming from someone who grew up in the upper midwest and now lives in the south. It was the first time that I can remember almost having to have spectators get the EMT’s for me personally. Here’s the thing about War in the Woods though…at one point I could barely stand anymore and the spectators around me were all making sure that I was ok, they were all taking care of me, a photographer that none of them really even knew.

I was able to spend some time in an area with friends I had made a few years ago when I was there to try and recover from the heat. I was fed, given fluids, and constantly asked if I was ok. You know where else that would have happened for me if I was at the track…NO WHERE. While yes, there is a lot of drinking and fun that happens there, it is also, what seems to me, a sense of family and community at this event. It is the sense of community that will keep me coming back as long as I can do it and as long as they want me to be there to cover the event.

Speaking of events, I haven’t even talked about the amount of insane racing that occurred during the event. There were something like 204 cars and 30+ bikes on the property over the weekend, all competing to be crowned the King.Queen of the Woods. And to answer the bullshit statement that I see all the time “there are so many crashes”, what I will say is yes there were a few, but guess what, there are crashes at every organizations from racket racing to NHRA nitro racing. So your annoying and ignorant comments regarding that will absolutely get the consideration they do so deserve.

They have already announced the dates for 2027 and I certainly plan on trying my hardest to make at least the fall event again, as it keeps growing and growing. To me it feels like this is still just the beginning of what is going to be a gathering that just continues to grow more and more as people actually give it a chance and maybe even show up to support it. With that in mind, I have attached the flyer that includes the 2027 dates on it. I really hope that a lot of you will open your eyes, pocketbooks, and minds to an event that’s crowd is only rivaled by two other events in my mind and those are the NHRA Gator Nationals and MIR World Cup.

I hope to see all of you again next year at Brown County Dragway, and I hope that some of you will make the decision to come and experience it for yourself instead of casting judgement from your couch.