1320' solid concrete

[malibu795]

wanna race here pat? sound like another fast track

After months of grading and preparation, crews on Monday evening will begin pouring the 3,000 cubic yards of concrete for the four-lane, quarter-mile dragstrip at zMax Dragway @ Concord.

The "Bellagio of dragstrips" will be only the third track in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series to feature a concrete quarter-mile racing surface and the only four-lane track on the national circuit.

During a recent visit, NHRA competitors, including 14-time NHRA Funny Car world champion John Force, raved about plans to construct zMax Dragway's quarter-mile entirely of concrete.

"It's a huge expense, but if you're going to do it, do it right, and that's what Bruton Smith is all about," said Force. "When you got all concrete, the transition never comes into play. We all know exactly what we've got. It's 'gorilla,' and you throw everything you got at it. National records will be set here in Concord at zMax Dragway."

Most dragstrips have concrete for the first 660 feet or less, and the transition from concrete to asphalt can upset the traction of the rear wheels.

"Anytime you eliminate transitions on a track, you are lessening the chances for your race car to become unsettled," said five-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher. "With any kind of luck, the weather will be nice and cool in September, and we can fly down the track and give the fans an exciting show. We're counting down the days until we arrive in our new market."

Three-time NHRA Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin agrees with Force and Schumacher that speeds will be extremely fast at zMax Dragway and that chances are good that national records will be broken during the Sept. 11-14 NHRA Carolinas Nationals.

"We look forward to having 1,320 feet of concrete," said Coughlin. "It allows us more of a consistent grip all the way down the racetrack.

"It should be smooth as glass, and what that means is fast times for fans.

"We're going to be into September, so there's a good chance that Mother Nature could have some 60-degree cool days, and we'll love that. We'll light the record books on fire."

Pouring of the concrete racing surface is scheduled to commence Monday evening and last through July 3. Due to the summer heat, all pouring will occur late in the evening and throughout the night.

zMax Dragway @ Concord will open in grand fashion by hosting the NHRA Carolinas Nationals Sept. 11-14. The four-day event will be the first of six races in the playoff-style NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship, featuring competitors in all four Professional categories: Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle.

Four-day tickets for the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway @ Concord start at $99 for adults and $20 for children ages 12 and under. Each event ticket is also a pit pass and can be obtained by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office, (800) 455-FANS (3267), or logging on to www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

 

[skintback]

Man thats alot of mud

 

[JoshH]

Sounds like a sales pitch to me. Granted, it will be fast, but I don't see any reason it would be faster than the other two full concrete tracks out there unless it is at sea level. I know Ennis, Texas Motorplex (one of the other full concrete tracks), is only 500' or so.

 

[Jared Duramax]

finally they are poring it i have been waiting for this to happen for a long time now. i have to say that this is a beautiful looking facility (was there the other day) i hope to be able to meet some new diesel guys there

 

[eds04max]

It might-as-well be sea level............it's at 725' or so.
I'm hoping we can put together some diesel events here...........gonna' be 'high-rent' though!!

 

[Kat]

Wish it wasn't so far away

If only we could get a good track like that in SoCal or one that was open more then once a month

 

[Jared Duramax]

It might-as-well be sea level............it's at 725' or so.
I'm hoping we can put together some diesel events here...........gonna' be 'high-rent' though!!

i agree with you Ed it is going to be real expensive

 

[McRat]

More Dragstrips Is More Betta!!!

 

[LBZ]

More Dragstrips Is More Betta!!!

I agree. I can't wait for our "heated" track to be finished. It will only be about a half-hour from my house which is very handy.

 

[ripmf666]

We can race most friday and saturdays and sundays and even wed nights here feb thru dec

 

[oilburner]

"Smooth as glass" does that mean a smooth troweled finish? That seems too damn slick. You would think that a heavy broom or something a little heaver maybe just a wood float finish? I don't drag so is my thinking f'ed up? Laser screed I hope.

 

[eds04max]

All dragstrips have rubber on the track. This is why slicks hook and street tires don't.
But to answer your question, they are usually 'light broom' finish. The finish is not as important as the flatness. No bumps to upset the traction.
All tracks are continually dragging rubber over the track as well as scraping, spraying, etc, etc.

 

[MMLMM]

It will still have a texture to it, nothing like "smooth as glass" thats just a figure of speech.

Just no conc. to asphalt transitions to it. At high speeds you feel a transition very easily which can be a cause of the "tires going up in smoke" - another figure of speech.

Let see what type of conc. joint system they use which will be a big play in seismic movement later on in the tracks life