SPEED SPORT: Susan Wade hits the spot (3 Viewers)

[Chili]

ZMax is called the Bellagio of drag strips for a reason. Some parts of the grandstands have bucket seats like you find in most stadiums. The main grandstands were built like stadiums as well. There is a lower and middle concourse. There are also bathrooms and concessions on both concourses.

 

[mick]

....... I would like to address the fall race held in 2025 .......

please do. there's something odd when you have one of the newest and nicest facilities, loses a race in lieu
of an older facility only 80 miles away.

 

[GumbyWVU]

please do. there's something odd when you have one of the newest and nicest facilities, loses a race in lieu
of an older facility only 80 miles away.

2025 was the first time a 4wide was in the fall slot. I'm not sure why they decided to do that. We went. I was shocked at how poorly attended it was compared to the spring 4wides we've attended have been. Nobody had to park across the street from the track. They did have the shuttles still and it is pretty nice. Bristol had them so maybe that's something at Bruton Smith tracks??

I'm not sure how the previous two-wide fall events were attended though, but I think they were better attended. Agree, does seem odd. I've never been to the Rock but I wonder how they will compare to vendor space, parking, etc. Seems like read on here once that the Rock is a fairly small facility. I'd like to go but doing so would likely mean a second night in a hotel, so we probably won't go.

What were your thoughts Sam?

 

[ATC TWR]

2025 was the first time a 4wide was in the fall slot. I'm not sure why they decided to do that. We went. I was shocked at how poorly attended it was compared to the spring 4wides we've attended have been. Nobody had to park across the street from the track. They did have the shuttles still and it is pretty nice. Bristol had them so maybe that's something at Bruton Smith tracks??

I'm not sure how the previous two-wide fall events were attended though, but I think they were better attended. Agree, does seem odd. I've never been to the Rock but I wonder how they will compare to vendor space, parking, etc. Seems like read on here once that the Rock is a fairly small facility. I'd like to go but doing so would likely mean a second night in a hotel, so we probably won't go.

What were your thoughts Sam?

Hello Eric. You hit the nail on the head. The 4 wide race in the fall was the issue. Although I personally enjoy 4 wides in the spring and the traditional 2 wide racing in the fall. The guys I attend always attend the fall race with were very disappointed and frankly pissed off about the 4 wide fall deal. According to most people I talk too along with comments I read, 4 wide racing is unpopular.
I am going to put on my tin foil conspiracy theory hat now. LOL. As we all know, a resurgent IHRA has been making a lot of moves acquiring drag strips. My theory is that NHRA wanted to slow the bleeding. Both NHRA and IHRA had eyes on Rockingham dragway. Offering Rockingham dragway a national event would seal the deal for them to go NHRA. But with two events already in N.C. a third would probably result in poor spectator attendance at one of the three. So NHRA switched the 2025 Zmax fall race to 4 wide betting that attendance would be poor thus having an excuse to give the fall race to Rockingham dragway. Had the fall 2025 zmax race been well attended then NHRA would have a hard time trying to justify taking it from Zmax and giving it to Rockingham. NHRA still wants the 4 wide spectacle so this move lets them kill two birds with one stone. Ok I am now taking off my tin foil conspiracy hat. LOL.

 

[GumbyWVU]

Hello Eric. You hit the nail on the head. The 4 wide race in the fall was the issue. Although I personally enjoy 4 wides in the spring and the traditional 2 wide racing in the fall. The guys I attend always attend the fall race with were very disappointed and frankly pissed off about the 4 wide fall deal. According to most people I talk too along with comments I read, 4 wide racing is unpopular.
I am going to put on my tin foil conspiracy theory hat now. LOL. As we all know, a resurgent IHRA has been making a lot of moves acquiring drag strips. My theory is that NHRA wanted to slow the bleeding. Both NHRA and IHRA had eyes on Rockingham dragway. Offering Rockingham dragway a national event would seal the deal for them to go NHRA. But with two events already in N.C. a third would probably result in poor spectator attendance at one of the three. So NHRA switched the 2025 Zmax fall race to 4 wide betting that attendance would be poor thus having an excuse to give the fall race to Rockingham dragway. Had the fall 2025 zmax race been well attended then NHRA would have a hard time trying to justify taking it from Zmax and giving it to Rockingham. NHRA still wants the 4 wide spectacle so this move lets them kill two birds with one stone. Ok I am now taking off my tin foil conspiracy hat. LOL.

Interesting theory. We went on Sunday last fall and the weather was about as good as you could want, but the attendance was surprising to us.

NC is a racing hot bed and I wouldn't say that a 3rd event wouldn't be sustainable, as Rock I believe has a small attendance capacity. But to chip in to your theory, it could be that NHRA knew that an Atlanta race was coming back and the Potomac event would satisfy the Richmond fans, and thus they couldn't draw from those two previously "vacant" areas, both of which are easy drives to Charlotte/Rock.

I'm glad though they are bringing an event to the Rock, even though I'll likely not make it.

 

[mick]

from four wide to no wide. smh.
i like tin foil conspiracy hats.