The 1988 Detroit Drive season was the first for the Drive.
The Drive began play in as a member of the Arena Football League. Under head coach Tim Marcum, the Drive finished the regular season 9âÂÂ3 after starting the season 2âÂÂ3. Two of the Drive's losses came at the hands of the Chicago Bruisers, who finished the season with one loss. The Drive would get a chance at revenge when they advanced to ArenaBowl II against the Bruisers, and they were able to defeat the Bruisers 24âÂÂ13.