Maryland International Raceway was first built in 1966, by Joe LaRoque. The very first opening event in July, 1966, was called the NASCAR Top Fuel Championships. This Top Fuel event was won by Ronnie Still in a Hemi Small Block Chevy. The raceway's name at that time was St. Mary's Drag-O-Way. Joe retained ownership of the raceway for just a little over a year.
In 1967, Bill Cairns (a car dealership owner) bought the facility. He renamed the track to Budds Creek Raceway. Bill was a St. Mary's County resident himself. The operation remained under his control until 1972.
The track was then purchased by Tod Mack and Larry Clayton. The name was again changed to the present Maryland International Raceway. (Tod actually worked for the NASCAR Drag Division, and helped design it, when LaRoque built the track) Their creative thinking and ingenuity for the raceway built a foundation for the sport. The first U.S. Pro Stock Open, back in 1975, was a hit! The turnout for the event was so much more than they expected, and they actually ran out of tickets! Among some of the innumerable things that Tod and Larry did at the raceway was at one time, there were two Christmas trees on the track, and four lanes. The timing system was set up to register 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th place. Four cars actually competed, and it was an eye opening show! Tod also developed the very first digital timing system, named DigiTime. When they took over the track, the part of the existing burnout box and the pad was nothing but a large canyon, literally where the tower stands now. This canyon was about 90' deep. They decided to fill that incredible span with gravel to make more room around the starting line. If you've ever been to MDIR, you may have noticed that right behind the winner's circle near the starting line, there is a large canyon. And what a project that was - to fill that area with gravel that is about 90' deep, hundreds of feet wide, and a couple hundred feet long.
Ownership changed hands yet again to Royce and Linda Miller. Leased by Miller in late 1989, the name was unchanged. Royce was actually the MDIR Super Pro Track Champion in 1984 too. The track remained NHRA until 1991. Then in the opening of the 1992 season, MDIR took a new leap to the International Hot Rod Association. With all of his racing and business experience (he also owns commercial real estate in Manassas, VA that he leases), he was the right man for the job. The lease agreement finally ended when Miller purchased the track in February, 1998.
Maryland International Raceway has gone through a number of facelifts - and there are currently plans for additional improvements underway. The track's appearance has changed dramatically over the years, and a lot of work has been done to make it the facility that it is today. There was once even talk about changing the direction of the track during Tod and Larry's ownership by making the starting line where the shutdown area is. In any event, the track has changed for the best, with credibility lending to everyone in it's past. Many of the choices made, both good and bad, have come together to create a wonderful and friendly atmosphere while delivering intense and exciting drag racing!
Maryland International Raceway has been in a number of headlines. Featuring special events, community efforts, features on the Junior Dragster Program, and on and on. MDIR has also appeared on national programs such as Dateline, ESPN, Speed Channel, TNN, and many of the Washington Metropolitan Television News Networks!