The show known as the NHRA was a huge hit in Concord (NC), a suburb of Charlotte, this past weekend.

It all started with a phone call. Tom Compton, NHRA President, mad the call in the fall of 2007 to noted NASCAR mogul Bruton Smith. That call led to the construction of zMAX Dragway, the most fantastic drag racing facility to ever be built.

While there was never any question the Carolinas Nationals would be a stellar event right out of the gate, two consecutive sellout days, Saturday and Sunday,  at the inaugural Carolinas Nationals hosted by Bruton’s new zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., confirmed drag racing has a home in the Charlotte area.

The usual cast of suspects, the diehard drag racing fans, were nearly overwhelmed by the pack of first timers. "Brutopia," a moniker bestowed on the new facility by members of the media, was a cornucopia of success for the NHRA, Bruton Smith's new facility and the thousands of first time attendees who are more used to stock cars then they are nitro burning rockets, piloted by the test pilots of the 21st century.

 

 

 

 

NASCAR used to be the only show in town.
 

The show known as the NHRA was a huge hit in Concord (NC), a suburb of Charlotte, this past weekend.

It all started with a phone call. Tom Compton, NHRA President, made the call in the fall of 2007 to noted NASCAR mogul Bruton Smith. That call led to the construction of zMAX Dragway, the most fantastic drag racing facility to ever be built.

While there was never any question the Carolinas Nationals would be a stellar event right out of the gate, two consecutive sellout days, Saturday and Sunday,  at the inaugural Carolinas Nationals hosted by Bruton’s new zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C., confirmed drag racing has a home in the Charlotte area.

The usual cast of suspects, the diehard drag racing fans,

were nearly overwhelmed by the pack of first timers. "Brutopia," a moniker bestowed on the new facility by members of the media, was a cornucopia of success for the NHRA, Bruton Smith's new facility and the thousands of first time attendees who are more used to stock cars then they are nitro burning rockets, piloted by the test pilots of the 21st century.

How did we know all this?

You just do.

Veteran drag racing fans barely flinch during a clutch seating nitro warm-up. They hardly flinch at the explosion of sound and fumes when a nitro engine gets a taste of full throttle?

Newcomers hit the ground -- and there were plenty hitting the ground as John Force nailed the throttle while his car was hung in the air on jackstands.

It was absolutely incredible when you consider that less than 100 miles from the zMAX Dragway, a major doorslammer event took place which attracted a reported 30,000 drag race fans. On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers were in town to play the Chicago Bears. 

 

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This event was destined to happen because drag racing has needed just such a spectacle.

A walk through "Brutopia" seemed to make the world right, even to the point of quelling rumors of possible sponsor departures.

In the days leading up to the event, local weatherman spoke of doom and gloom with forecasts of possible daily showers. Save for a heavy misting on Thursday, the only wetness in the pits was the extreme humidity associated with the Carolinas in the final hot days of summer.

Tony Pedregon never once feared the rain, quoting a fan who reminded him, “it doesn’t rain on Bruton Smith.”

The crowd, swollen with relative newcomers to the NHRA, were on more than one occasion directed by announcer Bob Frey when the professionals were completed and would be back at a specified time. Only then would the new fans feel safe leaving their seats for a stroll through the garage. It certainly appeared no one wanted to miss a run down the drag strip.


Plus, a large majority had no idea they could interact with the drivers – a treat drag racing fans often take for granted. One heard repeatedly over the course of the weekend was their ticket served as a pit pass.

 

Case in point, a member of Bruton Smith's public relations staff had quite a time explaining to NASCAR icon Rusty Wallace that his ticket would gain access to the pit area, a process uncommon to NASCAR fans.

Then there was John Force, drag racing's equivalent to Richard Petty. Petty may be King of the stock cars, but Force, he's the King of Nitro Funny Cars in or out of the field.

NASCAR fans know Force and they adore the fast-talking former truck driver from Yorba Linda, Ca. He may be west coast, but he’d fit right in with the folks living in the Carolinas.

You could note a sense the  disappointment in the fans as he failed to qualify, but their love was easily transferred over to his daughter Ashley.

 

I've seen bowling alleys rougher than this. - Pro Stock racer Warren Johnson, on the quality of zMAX Dragway's racing surface.

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The Forces can bring a crowd to their feet. Whether it’s a run in his Castrol GTX Ford or a fly-by on his scooter, the crowd paid homage to the man who made driving a Funny Car cool.

The experience for the Forces was overwhelming at times, but that’s where Papa Force’s experience came in handy. When fans stood 20 deep waiting for autographs from Ms. Force, she appeared concerned.

Dad explained to her carefully how such a scenario was a blessing. She subscribed to the advice and didn’t leave until all fans had what they’d waited for - an autograph from a Force.

There were cheers and at times some boos.

Most of the cheers were for the Forces and the only boos we could determine belonged to Tony Schumacher and Greg Anderson. Both drivers later learned that a boo isn't necessarily a bad thing. Boos mean you win too much.

 

Just how incredible was the event? It sold out two days in a row, a monumental task given the number of seats and other events in easy driving distance from Charlotte.

It was absolutely incredible when you consider that less than 100 miles from the zMAX Dragway, a major doorslammer event took place which attracted a reported 30,000 drag race fans. On Sunday, the Carolina Panthers were in town to play the Chicago Bears.

Media can make or break an event and the support of the large daily newspapers in the area contributed greatly. Known largely for its stock car support, the Charlotte Observer embraced the straight-line quarter-mile and encouraged their readers to do the same.

When the NHRA’s media relations staff arrived at the new zMAX Dragway press center, they wondered initially if the facility had been built too big. By the third day, the media attendance was such they wondered if maybe the press center was too small.

 

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Credit much of the event’s success to Bruton Smith’s desire to build the Bellagio of drag strips. He clearly delivered with the greatest drag strip every built to this point in time and did so in less than six months.

In case you've never visited Las Vegas, Bellagio is considered to be one of the most lavish and well-appointed hotels on the Vegas strip.

Behind the scenes, the second-generation of Smith, Marcus clearly drove the project to success. Marcus Smith’s leadership on the project and humbled nature of interaction quickly gave credence to the belief that he’s more than capable of following in his father’s footsteps.

Adrian Byrd, son of Bristol Dragway’s GM Jeff Byrd, anxiously paced the grounds of zMAX Dragway in his debut as GM of the facility,  as he paid close attention to detail and interacted with the customers.

In summary, we are just at a loss of words to describe the inaugural Carolinas Nationals.

We could say awesome, but that term seems so inadequate.

We could see incredible, but that comes across as weak.

Maybe we’ll just leave that to you the reader to come up with. If you were there, you know what we’re talking about.

If not, then maybe you need to come out and experience NHRA at it's finest for yourself next year.

 

 

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