Since its opening in 1957 by L.B. "Junior" Steed, the Carolina Dragway (originally named Jackson Dragstrip) has catered to speed junkies from all over. What began on 25 acres in Aiken County is now a 250-acre facility and an award-winning track.

The dragway in Jackson, owned by Jeff Miles Jr. and his sister Angel Miles, is one of two quarter-mile strips in South Carolina. (The other is in Darlington.) Every Thursday and Saturday, the air fills with the smell of racing fuel and burning rubber as enthusiasts and racers line up their dragsters, muscle cars, funny cars, motorcycles and stock cars to show off their horsepower.

"It's about people hanging out and having a good time." says Mr. Miles, whose father, Jeff Miles Sr., bought the track from Mr. Steed in 1985. "It's fellowship and about having fun."