I’ve always wanted a hot rod, something loud and fast. Unfortunately it’s been a long series of used, practical cars since I was sixteen. Don’t get me wrong, I was more than happy to have a set of wheels to allay my boredom.

But wouldn’t allaying that boredom with a 500 horsepower engine, tuned headers, fat tires and a shiny paint job be so much better? I tend to think so. My respite recently has been visiting a couple of drag strips out here in Maryland - Cecil County Raceway in, you guessed it, Cecil county, near the Delaware border, and Capitol Raceway in Crofton, Maryland. Of course I love the speed and power of the machines, the smoke they throw behind them as the engine rages like an angry god. But I also love how accessible they are. I can walk around in the pits all day long.

But mostly, I love it because it’s good company. These are people who are passionate about going fast, expending a huge amount of time and money to feed their addiction to speed. What could be better? Check out the images below and let me know what you think!