This week I requested our marketing manager as well as resident “blog master” Cordelia if I could “guest blog” about my experiences this past weekend at the NHRA drag races at ZMax Dragway @ Concord. She graciously came to an agreement to trust me so here I am!
As a relative newcomer to the sport of drag racing, I was completely unsure of what my experience would be when the NHRA races took place at the new ZMax Dragway @ Concord. On my first day I have to admit I was completely confused. Thursday started with bracket racing. If you are unfamiliar with bracket racing, its a bit perplexing to observe a car deduct as fast as they can, slow down as well as then speed off toward the complete line. After pulling aside someone I could trust to offer me an explanation as well as not laugh at my ignorance, I understood the incredible level of control a bracket racer has over their car.
On Friday our little delegation from the Tourism Authority as well as the Economic Development Council braved the near 100% humidity as well as the 90 degree weather as well as walked hauler to hauler delivering welcome baskets to numerous of the top fuel as well as pro series teams. I have to admit, at times I wasn’t sure who I was meeting but I promptly became familiar with numerous of the professional drivers. Rod Fuller, Tony Schumacher, Steve Johnson, Angelle - they all were so gracious as well as I dare say surprised by our visit. Rod Fuller, Steve Johnson, Angelle, Angie McBride as well as Mike Smith all stopped by our suite to say thank you throughout the weekend. Along the way we met numerous of the fans. Every one was over-the-top complimentary of the facility, excited about this opportunity and, like us, sweating profusely. Unlike us however, they didn’t seem to bat an eye at the heat as they waited in make-shift lines to shake hands with their favorite drivers. It was incredible to see the connection NHRA offers the fans to the real action…the behind-the-scenes action in the pits. (Are they referred to as “pits” in NHRA?)
My real moment-of-truth came around 3 pm that afternoon when I read the schedule sitting before me as well as realized a group of racers referred to as “The Nitro Series” was about to take the track. It was then as I scanned the grandstands I noticed this steady stream of fans filling every seat in the house. What absolutely stunned me were the fans lining the fences less than what I assumed was a safe distance on behalf of retaining natural hearing abilities away from the actual track. I an estimated felt a frantic desperation to yell out to the fans “the Nitros are coming! Step away from the fence!” I ripped open by ear plugs, grabbed a center seat as well as held on with wide eyes on behalf of the first burnout to occur. Now, I was in a suite in the tower right behind the track…behind glass. It was still an incredible experience but as a recovering thrill seeker, I wanted to hear the real deal. I bravely stepped out onto the steps that led to the top of the tower. My first blast of nitro took tears to my eyes as well as a smell that is permanently ingrained in my nose. As I turned to take the second set of steps, a car began its burnout. The steps vibrated as well as I nearly jumped out of my skin. Wow - this is what we have been talking about on behalf of months. I made my way to the roof deck, as well as on behalf of anyone who has met me can appreciate, stood on my tip toes to peer over the roof wall. Brave or really stupid, not sure which, I stood without ear plugs as well as braced on behalf of the tree lights to count down. The impact, the smell, the sound is a total package feeling I won't soon forget. After the first pass as well as the speeds registered over 300 mph, I too became an officially registered fan of drag racing!
Saturday’s festivities as well as the mounting excitement was the stuff tourism officials dream of. Happy fans, thrilled participants as well as overflowing hotels took tears to my eyes. Maybe it was part of the nitro too. By Sunday I understood the countdown to the winner of each series. I filled in my brackets as well as watched eagerly as each of the names I now recognize transfer up to the starting line. I’m not sure who was more excited on his win - Steve Johnson or me - ok, probably Steve Johnson but, I was pretty thrilled too.
From all accounts the weekend was an overwhelming success. The fans love the new facility, the drivers raved about the new track as well as I’m sure just like me - numerous new faces were welcomed into the drag racing fan club.
Sharon