"Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Good morning folks I figured I would help Ken out by getting this fiasco started by reminding everyone that is still entered to bring enough clothes for Monday!
Most everyone by now is aware of the forecasted weather for the weekend and if you're still entered you're just as crazy as I am. Fact is I haven't been out this year yet so I decided I was going if I had to race on Tuesday which probably has not been ruled out yet.
The Thursday forecast for parking looks dismal and the forecast for Friday shows clearing out just in time to get the pros on the track but Saturday looks pretty good but Sunday appears to be a washout as well. The only positive I can see in the situation is that it is the 4wides so the pros will move along fairly quickly.
I'll be heading up in the morning so if there's anyone that's already there feel free to jump on with some updates.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Wonder what it cost a day to dry 4 lanes. Do they run 4 dryers? Never paid any attention. I bet drying that place repeatedly gets pricy!

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

They need to borrow the NASCAR suction trucks and the jet dryers.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I've seen them use 2 dryers before but never 4 that might get a little annoying if you were pitted close to the track!

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

First time out for me also. Have not been to the 4 wides before what gate do we go into. And does anyone know what time they are parking until? Thanks BP

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I’m curious why Factory X exhibition runs aren’t on the detailed schedule? The X cars (sadly minus Blackbird X) were originally scheduled to debut there.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Barry it's a little confusing the way they bring in sportsman but they will have signs telling you which gate to go in.
Basically you're going to drive past the main entrance and go to the stoplight in front of the round track. At the stop light you're going to turn right on Rt 29 go to the next stop light turn left on Morehead Rd and go to Gate P I think it is don't hold me to that. After turning into the gate you'll following this winding road which goes under 29 and to the back entrance to the strip. That's where they'll give you credentials and either send you to the front entrance or you'll go into that gate depending on where they are parking us.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Thanks James BP

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Probably not enough cars done yet. I wish they were running them!




Bret Velde
2003 ??/SA

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Thanks James for getting the Live From going... I had to spice up the title a bit.

What's up guys, it doesn't look good as far as the weather, we may get a window late Friday and Saturday, but who knows how it will go... I'm thinking we will be here on Monday. Maybe they will let racers withdraw like they did in Gainesville last year. Anyway, I'm here and will cover the race the best I can.

https://youtu.be/KX6TE7XAbIc

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Wow how'd you do that? See you tomorrow Kenny the girls said you could go to the water park with them!

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Any idea what time parking is tomorrow? I haven't seen it posted anywhere.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Ken you left out the part about the monster speed bumps that will damage the rig if you don't round them at 2 MPH ...LOL

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I should have pointed that out. Those speeds bumps can tear up a rig pretty easy if you do not take it slow.

Good morning folks, yeah its raining, but it looks like we may get part of Friday in and Saturday.... Sunday looks, well not so good.

https://youtu.be/HLkVyHsr5yQ

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Sun is trying to peak out this morning. Lots of rain yesterday and last night. No word on drying/prep time.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

The texting system is a great way for NHRA to communicate with the racers at an event under conditions like this morning. Well, I guess that is if they actually chose to use it and communicate. I'll just sit here and wonder, sending a text is obviously far too costly and time consuming...

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Good morning everyone... man did it come down last night, it felt like it was never going to stop raining. Like Brett said, no word on start time. It would be nice if they announced something, so we know when to get are cars ready.

I few cars out, and as you can see the pits are soaked.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Everyone get to park on the Pro side? If so guess it’s a small perk of the reduced field. At the National Event I ran there it was amazing how much security and staff they have there, and was really surprised there were almost as many at the Division race there. Shame they don’t run a regular program and can’t help but wonder if the high overhead costs don’t play a role.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I don’t run very many national events but I can’t remember the last time the text system actually worked. I wish it did as I am severely hearing impaired and it is difficult to hear the radio and PA announcements. Many times the radio system barely works.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Hey guys, we just got the call to be ready by 11AM. They have been working on the track since early morning. The sun is out, not sure how it will effect the track as far as weeping goes.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Hey guys, its good day for racing and I have to give NHRA a thumbs up. Stock just finished with Q2 and Super Stock has just been called. I never thought we would get 2 runs in, but my hats off to NHRA... I feel loved again.

I have more photos coming up later, but here is a quick video in the lanes with Super Stock.

https://youtu.be/cyeUo1-cdqo

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Well, that did not take long. The called Super Stock, then the canceled Super Stock. Not sure when, but I'm sure it will be late tonight before Super Stock gets their Q2. There goes the love, and my hat is back on my head.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

They scratched SS Q2.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Super Stock is done for the day. They said Super Stock will get their 2nd qualifier before first round. The Stock final qualifier is up on DRC, and the ladder for tomorrow's first round.

I will be back later with photos from Super Stock action and a ride through the pits.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

That is sad to discover Mike.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Super Stock action Q1. There is still no schedule for tomorrow. We don't know who is out first, but we are told the Super Stock and Super Gas will get one more run before they start their eliminations. If I had to guess, Stock will be out first for round 1 followed by Super Comp round 1 then Q2 for Super Stock and TT2 for Super Gas,

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Next batch...

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Nice shots Ken. Wish I could have been there. The C thing is still being addressed. Hope to see you sometime this year.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

<a href="https://app.photobucket.com/u/cooter711/a/d9d43681-bff3-446b-bb35-6a6e7bff0c1f/p/c5182445-46d4-4df8-9502-f9b0e2a76d21?width=960&height=720&fit=bounds" target="_blank"><img src="https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/hh575/cooter711/img_1_1682739070306.jpg?width=960&height=720&fit=b ounds" alt="img_1_1682739070306"/></a>

Tomorrow's run schedule.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Good morning all, as you can see from the schedule, Stock will be out first at 8:00am. It is a little cooler this morning than yesterdays qualifiers... the dial in may be a challenge. Yesterday's weather had DA of around 3000 ft, this is the weather as 7:00am...

Temp 61
Humd 92%
Bar 29.15
DA 1766
Water Grains 74.4
Wind calm

Yesterdays ride through the pits...

https://youtu.be/BP79iWwujI8

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Hey guys, I'm out first round so I hit the road. I wanted to stick around to get photos of Stock, but it looks like Stk, SS, SC and SG will run after the second round of pros. Its going to be a late night as they want to run those classes to completion.

My next Live From will be Maple Grove D1 race in 3 1/2 weeks. I wish I could have given you all more coverage, but it was not to be. A few more Super Stocks and some Showdown cars... its hard to get good shots when they run 4 wide.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I didn't realize that NHRA ran sportsman cars 4-wide in time trials. Do they do that at Las Vegas as well, or was this because of the weather? What problems can arise when you make TT runs in lanes that you do not run in eliminations?

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

I believe it was just the Factory Showdown Class that ran 4 cars at a time.
Because in eliminations they run the same format.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

A few years ago they qualified Super Comp and Super Gas 4wide and it literally went off really well. I watched some of the factory stock guys in qualifying and several of the quads had atleast one get timed out.
I'm sorry as well didn't get any reports in but I had a lot of family and friends there to watch me stink it up.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Cooter, did I see you in a different car?

J.R.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

Yes sir J.R. I bought the car that Dean Ribiero had for sale recently. Still have my 91 and may race them both at some point but my oldest daughter has staked claim to the 91 in a couple years when she's old enough.

Re: "Live From" zMax Dragway Charlotte
 

OK. I jumped to the conclusion that other classes ran 4-wide. Racing in a handicapped class would be a nightmare.