ZMAX RACEWAY ROARS TO LIIFE

If anyone really doubted Bruton Smith could pull off the miracle of putting together the greatest drag strip in the world in less than seven months, those doubts have been laid to rest.

He did it.

Bruton Smith took drag strip construction to the next level, a level that is likely to stand for years.

As a handful of media members and dignitaries sat on neatly positioned chairs in what is expected to be the left lane of drag strip No. 2, the Pro Stockers of Jeg Coughlin Jr. and Dave Connolly did burn outs slicing through the ceremonial ribbon, replacing the more traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Construction on the zMax Drag Strip in Concord, N.C., required 300 workers per day which accounted for 636,000 man hours and for the most part wrapped up in a little over six months. A grand total of 1,876 workers were involved represented 56 different contractors.

That’s how Bruton Smith rolls.

“This is a historic point in my life to get a project this big completed in such a short time,” Bruton Smith said.

Marcus Smith was appointed President of zMax Dragway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway earlier this season. The son of Bruton Smith beams when he discusses the new strip.

“I hope everyone is as proud of this zMax Dragway as I am.” – Bruton Smith
“This state-of the-art facility is another testament to Speedway Motorsport’s commitment to race fans, racers and motor sports fans everywhere,” Marcus Smith explained. “We are really happy to do this for the NHRA. It’s yet another example of the leadership and vision of our chairman Bruton Smith.”

The finished product was enough to impress auto racing’s premiere mover and shaker.

“I hope everyone is as proud of this zMax Dragway as I am,” said the elder Smith. “Without question I can brag that this is the best of the best. This is the Bellagio of all of drag racing. This is a facility I hope will be viewed as bringing drag racing up a notch. That’s what we are all about.”

The memories of a fight with the City of Concord over approval of the drag strip on the property of Lowe’s Motor Speedway proved to be a distant memory as mayor Scott Padgett sat alongside NHRA President Tom Compton.

Concord initially voted no to the drag strip but later rescinded that vote amidst the reality Bruton Smith would take his project elsewhere. In the end, he delivered not only to the Concord, but also Cabarrus County the only true national event drag racing facility the Charlotte market has ever had.
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