Address: 5555 Concord Parkway
Pricing: Amateur Races: $5; Professional Races: $45 - $55
Phone: 800-455-3267
Hours: Mon. - Fri. 9 am to 5 pm. Check Web site for race schedule
Parking:Several lots. Check Web site for parking details.
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zMAX Dragway: 'The Bellagio of drag strips'
Jul 25, 2010
Charlotte is known as the NASCAR capital of the world. With the addition of the zMAX Dragway 1.2 miles down the road from the Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Queen City is becoming the racing capital of the world.
The self-declared “Bellagio of Drag Strips” is the only four-lane, all concrete drag strip in the world. The zMAX Dragway opened in 2008 and has quickly become a popular destination for race fans and amateur drag racers.
The dragway seats 30,000 fans, and also has 28 luxury suites available for the numerous events held each year. The zMAX Dragway hosts several of the biggest competitions in drag racing including the O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA (National Hot Road Association) Nationals, and the NMCA/NMRA (National Muscle Cars Association/National Mustang Racers Association) Nationals. Tickets for these types of races run $45 to $55. Children under the age of 12-years-old get in for $5.
zMAX Dragway is also home to many amateur competitions including their Summer “Drag & Brag” series on Wednesday evenings in June and July. Anyone can race his or her own personal vehicle — as long as it passes a technical inspection — for $20. Fans can watch all the action for $5.
The dragway has also hosted several episodes of the national television show on the SPEED channel “PINKS All Out” — where drivers race modified hot rods in a bracketed tournament.
For those who don’t want to just watch the action, or do not own a car that has the needed horsepower to race, the dragway also offers Doug Foley’s Drag Racing Experience. For $149, thrill seekers will get to strap into the passenger seat of an 800-horsepowered two-seater dragster with a professional driver. For $349, instructors will teach you how to drive one of the dragsters yourself.
Tours of the facility are offered as part of the Charlotte Motor Speedway’s "Feel The Thrill" Tour offered Mondays through Saturdays at 11:30 am and 3:30 pm for $5 on non-event days.
HelloCharlotte Tip: Camping near the zMAX Dragway is available at the Tom Johnson Camping Center Racing Resort. For more information on camping call 704-455-4445.
- by Mike D'Avria, Charlotte Reporter for HelloMetro
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Mike D'AvriaMike D'Avria graduated with a Journalism Degree from Indiana University in 2003.
He worked for the daily newspaper, The Athens Banner-Herald in Athens, Ga. before turning to freelance writing and video production.
Mike is the Executive Editor of CampLeadership.org, and has lived in Charlotte for four years.
