b'TRACKSPOTLIGHTOsceola Dragway Features Time Honored Charm in Northern IndianaThere is a certain charm about Osceola Dragway which is undeniable. Thats because of the passion which Arthur Chizum held and his survivors still hold for the place. Theyve made Drag Illustrated writer Van Abernethy described it as amany sacrifices along the way to keep the track going time honored drag strip tucked away in the Northernthrough the good times and the bad ones. corner of Indiana.I havent been able to go to a family reunion or any The 1/4-mile International Hot Rod Association (IHRA)function like that. Ive been here every single day the member track, in Osceola, Indiana, was founded in 1957track has been open, Ruth Chizum said. I guess you by the late Arthur Chizum. It is located just miles fromcould say Im committed. the University of Notre Dame and less than an hour from Lake Michigan. In December 2018, thieves stole over $10,000 in equipment used in track operations from the facility. For drag racing enthusiasts, its a place that trulyIn typical fashion, the determined family had Osceola reminds one of yesteryear. Ruth Chizum, now 87, hasDragway up and ready to go for the 2019 season opener operated the track since her husbands death in 2000.in April.Along with her son, Tim Medich, who does much of the day-to-day work, they know the importance of OsceolaFormer IHRA and NHRA World Pro Stock champion Dragway to the local racers. Warren Johnson often used Osceola as a test facility, while Friday nights are now used for test-and-tune Its a family. Right now, we have three generations ofsessions. Racing is held on Sunday afternoons.racersthe grandpas, their sons and grandchildren with the juniors starting, Ruth Chizum said. Its theOsceola Dragway competes in the IHRA Division 5 camaraderie and the sportsmanship we have. Theyve(Thunder) Summit Team Finals. In 2018, Todd Strefling been together for so long. They come here(Top) and Peyton Gortney (Junior) made it to the and its a family. championship round of Friday Gamblers Races.The facility is on 171 acres andSterfling, Joe Meece (Mod) and Kyler Martz (Junior) won located near the St. JosephIHRA Summit SuperSeries track championships that River, making it prime realseason. When it comes to the competitors at Osceola, estate. Luckily for the racersRuth Chizum is undeniably proud.who compete there, the property hasnt been turned into outsideWe have some very good racers, Chizum said. They development, but is still operatinghave good cars and theyre good racers too.as a drag strip.Click here for more information about Osceola Dragway.22'