Lee Stewart
08-20-2008, 05:40 PM
On the starting line at zMax Dragway @ Concord, Dave Connolly, near lane, and Jeg Coughlin drove their Cagnazzi Racing Pro Stockers in one of the most unique ribbon-cutting ceremonies ever.
NHRA President Tom Compton, right, took part in the opening ceremonies. Also pictured are, from left, Concord Mayor Scott Padgett and the track's Bruton Smith and Marcus Smith.
Defending NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin and his Cagnazzi Racing teammate, Dave Connolly, used their race cars Wednesday morning to officially open zMax Dragway @ Concord.
Following a series of remarks and accompanied by pyrotechnics, Coughlin and Connolly officially opened the "Bellagio of dragstrips" by performing dual burnouts through a symbolic ribbon.
"Not only is this an important moment in the history of Speedway Motorsports, it is also an important moment in the history of NHRA Drag Racing," said Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc. "This is a magnificent facility that will set the standard for the future of drag racing."
In addition to Smith, Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway; Tom Compton, NHRA president; and Scott Padgett, Concord, N.C., mayor, addressed the gathering of local dignitaries and media members prior to the ribbon cutting.
Construction of zMax Dragway @ Concord required 636,000 hours in six months. An average of 300 workers were on site per day, with each man or woman averaging an 11.78-hour workday. A total of 1,876 workers were involved in the project, representing 57 companies that included contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
The state-of-the art drag racing facility features the only all-concrete, four-lane dragstrip in the United States. A pair of two-lane strips, located side by side, allow for a variety of opportunities including specific track preparation for different vehicles, racing four cars at a time, and the possibility for racing to continue in the event of an oildown that requires extensive cleanup to one of the lanes.
zMax Dragway @ Concord will host a gala open house Saturday to celebrate the completion of the nation's newest racetrack. The event is free to the public and will include a variety of games and activities along with tours of the 125-acre facility.
Three-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson of Concord and nine-time NHRA Top Fuel winner Doug Herbert of Lincolnton, N.C., will greet fans and sign autographs. Several drag racing show cars will also be on display, and the first 200 guests to register will be able to speed down the quarter-mile strip during street-legal drag races.
The dragway will debut in grand fashion by hosting the NHRA Carolinas Nationals Sept. 11-14. To purchase tickets, log on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office, 800-455-FANS (3267).
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/31748.htm
NHRA President Tom Compton, right, took part in the opening ceremonies. Also pictured are, from left, Concord Mayor Scott Padgett and the track's Bruton Smith and Marcus Smith.
Defending NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin and his Cagnazzi Racing teammate, Dave Connolly, used their race cars Wednesday morning to officially open zMax Dragway @ Concord.
Following a series of remarks and accompanied by pyrotechnics, Coughlin and Connolly officially opened the "Bellagio of dragstrips" by performing dual burnouts through a symbolic ribbon.
"Not only is this an important moment in the history of Speedway Motorsports, it is also an important moment in the history of NHRA Drag Racing," said Bruton Smith, chairman and chief executive officer of Speedway Motorsports Inc. "This is a magnificent facility that will set the standard for the future of drag racing."
In addition to Smith, Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Lowe's Motor Speedway; Tom Compton, NHRA president; and Scott Padgett, Concord, N.C., mayor, addressed the gathering of local dignitaries and media members prior to the ribbon cutting.
Construction of zMax Dragway @ Concord required 636,000 hours in six months. An average of 300 workers were on site per day, with each man or woman averaging an 11.78-hour workday. A total of 1,876 workers were involved in the project, representing 57 companies that included contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers.
The state-of-the art drag racing facility features the only all-concrete, four-lane dragstrip in the United States. A pair of two-lane strips, located side by side, allow for a variety of opportunities including specific track preparation for different vehicles, racing four cars at a time, and the possibility for racing to continue in the event of an oildown that requires extensive cleanup to one of the lanes.
zMax Dragway @ Concord will host a gala open house Saturday to celebrate the completion of the nation's newest racetrack. The event is free to the public and will include a variety of games and activities along with tours of the 125-acre facility.
Three-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Greg Anderson of Concord and nine-time NHRA Top Fuel winner Doug Herbert of Lincolnton, N.C., will greet fans and sign autographs. Several drag racing show cars will also be on display, and the first 200 guests to register will be able to speed down the quarter-mile strip during street-legal drag races.
The dragway will debut in grand fashion by hosting the NHRA Carolinas Nationals Sept. 11-14. To purchase tickets, log on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or call the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office, 800-455-FANS (3267).
http://www.nhra.com/content/news/31748.htm