A YEAR OF ZMAX DRAGWAY
Tue, 2009-07-21 08:01
It's been nearly one year since media members were given an intimate
tour of a nearly completed zMAX Dragway. On that day, they learned
first hand what many fans and competitors would learn later, that
Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith had been true to his word
and delivered the Bellagio of drag strips.
Since the Speedway Motorsports development team put the finishing touches on the one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art, four-lane drag strip, the stock car capital of the world has been introduced to one big straight-line success after another.
It's been nearly one year since media members were given an intimate tour of a nearly completed zMAX Dragway. On that day, they learned first hand what many fans and competitors would learn later, that Speedway Motorsports Chairman Bruton Smith had been true to his word and delivered the Bellagio of drag strips.
Since the Speedway Motorsports development team put the finishing touches on the one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art, four-lane drag strip, the stock car capital of the world has been introduced to one big straight-line success after another.
"Bruton Smith gave NHRA fans an arena like this, which is the greatest facility in the history of our sport," said 14-time NHRA Funny Car champion John Force.
Perhaps the late David Poole, noted motorsports writer for the Charlotte Observer, may have put it best last September during the week of the first NHRA Nationals, "zMAX Dragway is by far the best facility that now exists."
A Few Year One Fun Facts:
. First unofficial winner: May 24, 2008 - Mike Neff defeated John Force, racing dump trucks on the graded dirt surface to approximately the 660-foot mark.
. Quickest Elapsed Time to date: Sept. 12, 2008 - Larry Dixon, 3.846 seconds, Qualifying Round 2 for NHRA Nationals
. Fastest speed to date: Sept. 14, 2008 - Tony Schumacher, 317.64 mph, Eliminations Round 4
. First four-wide competitive pass: April 25, 2009 - Buster D'Amato, 1965 Chevy Nova; Mike Hopper, 1971 Chevy Camaro; Eric Greene, 1974 Chevy Camaro; and Larry Leazer, 1967 Chevy Camaro.
Since the Speedway Motorsports development team put the finishing touches on the one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art, four-lane drag strip, the stock car capital of the world has been introduced to one big straight-line success after another.
The ground breaking for construction of zMAX Dragway took place on Feb. 5, 2008. Bruton Smith, founder and chief executive officer of Lowe's Motor Speedway, and several local politicians were the first to break dirt before an excavator took over.
Since the Speedway Motorsports development team put the finishing touches on the one-of-a-kind, state-of-the-art, four-lane drag strip, the stock car capital of the world has been introduced to one big straight-line success after another.
On Saturday, May 24, 2008, the day before the Coca-Cola 600, several
NHRA drivers visited the Dragway's construction site. To no one's
surprise, a race broke out and when the dust settled Funny Car driver
Mike Neff edged out a victory over teammate and 14-time NHRA Funny Car
Champion John Force in the first unofficial race at zMAX Dragway.
Perhaps the late David Poole, noted motorsports writer for the Charlotte Observer, may have put it best last September during the week of the first NHRA Nationals, "zMAX Dragway is by far the best facility that now exists."
A Few Year One Fun Facts:
. First unofficial winner: May 24, 2008 - Mike Neff defeated John Force, racing dump trucks on the graded dirt surface to approximately the 660-foot mark.
zMAX Dragway made history once again on April 25 by hosting the
first-ever nationally televised four-wide drag race as part of the
popular television show PINKS All Out. The atmosphere was electric as
the capacity crowd, sensing history, were brought to their feet to
witness the first competitive four-wide drag racing in over 30 years.
The PINKS All Out from zMAX Dragway will air Thursday, August 6 only on
SPEED.
. Fastest speed to date: Sept. 14, 2008 - Tony Schumacher, 317.64 mph, Eliminations Round 4
. First four-wide competitive pass: April 25, 2009 - Buster D'Amato, 1965 Chevy Nova; Mike Hopper, 1971 Chevy Camaro; Eric Greene, 1974 Chevy Camaro; and Larry Leazer, 1967 Chevy Camaro.
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