New 4-lane dragstrip being built, all concrete

[Syclone0044]

:stare Wow this is some damn big news for drag racing if you ask me. In Concord, North Carolina, they are in the middle of building a new 4-lane dragstrip, all concrete. This will be the only 4 lane quarter mile strip in the US and only the 2nd dragstrip to be all concrete.

It sounds almost unbelievable but the budget is $60 Million and from what I could find, it will be like two regular dragstrips side by side (not truly 4 lanes like a 4 lane highway).

They're calling this "the Bellagio of Drag strips" seating 30,000 and I'm told it's being constructed in 5 months, with a scheduled NHRA race in September. Here's a construction photo:

http://www.nhra.com/2008/images/news/june/z2.jpg

There will be two pedestrian tunnels under the track.


Of particular interest to drivers such as Force [...] on hand Saturday, are two facts about the facility. It will have four lanes for competition, and the entire quarter-mile track will be concrete.

There's a lot of talk in the drag racing world about how a four-lane facility can be used. One set of lanes could be prepped to optimize conditions for Top Fuel and Funny Cars, for instance, while the other pair could be prepared with Pro Stock and Pro Stock motorcycles in mind. Having two pairs of race-worthy lanes also could streamline the length of a day of competition. Source: http://www.thatsracin.com/commentary/story/14629.html

Here are some more links:

June 5th 2008 construction photo gallery: http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/news_photos/photo_gallery/sf5826.html

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/29612.htm

Drag racer's discussion: http://forum.competitionplus.com/showthread.php?t=2714

[Flicktitty]

that is badass!

[HRSEPLA]

Wow, 4 way races, that should cut down line wait time and increase spectators... lol

[Poncho]

now you don't have to grab a lane
you can grab a few lanes.

[scaleracer]

Sounds Cool! Thanks for posting! Now a place for the new Fast and Furious movie lol! :rolf

[MoCkiN U]

I am moving 11 miles south of there so YAY for new attractions!! No more driving to rockingham. I am from Charlotte and got dragged up here by my wife. Should be back home by next August. That place is growing so damn fast.

This is super cool!! I Remember growing up working in the pits of scotty cannon when he was running a willy at shuffletown dragway and mooresville which is the GLD equivalent there in northern charlotte

[fly5150]

nice. Do I hear a BCM roadtrip once its done.......

[Crawlin]

Ok, I'll take 2 and the hit from you, you'll start 1 car ahead of me, and you get 10 and the swing, haha

[nitroxtreme]

nice. Do I hear a BCM roadtrip once its done.......


x2....HELL YES...

[TURTLE]

x2....HELL YES...

i'm in...:thumbsup:thumbsup

[MoCkiN U]

Let me share some scenery pics of driving through to charlotte. Hitting those mountains were a blast and this isnt even the blue ridge parkway. I took some video of going through the tunnels in the stang there but my damn camera decided sound wasnt needed.

Highly recommend road trip to that area!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/ShoUrGlow/100_3167.jpg

wish the picture depicted how steep this hill was and the banking in the turn to the left. When you get to the bottom just looks like a wall of mountain with no where to go

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v518/ShoUrGlow/100_3171.jpg

[Alex d]

not sure but heard that they scratched the four lane idea could be wrong

[WickedSix]

Badass either way .....any new competition worthy drag strip that is done right is a good thing in my book :thumbsup

[GRAMPS SS]

NICE TRACK FOR SURE......state of the art maybe...but how can they schedule a race for sept...when sept is fully sheduled.?????????? which track do the dump for that month...Charlotte....????????

[Cutlass Queen]

Man I hope they continue to make this...bad ass track!

[Karps TA]

According to the Lowe Motor Speedway site it's still on schedule and still 4 lanes.

[That_Guy]

when is this suppose to be done.. i would love to road trip to see this

[MoCkiN U]

Its 13.5 hours from here. Just fyi

Took that drive from 7 times already. Hopefully only 1 more drive to do.

[Alex d]

its supposed to have a national event there september 11-14

[Alex d]

http://www.nhra.com/content/news.asp?articleid=29186&zoneid=8

the frist race has already been completed with dump trucks

[BOSS LX]

That looks scary! Imagine how loud it will be.

[SmokinRAM114]

That looks scary! Imagine how loud it will be.

KOTH on that shit! you, mark, bobby, and sam can run all heads up at the same time :stare

[scaleracer]

KOTH on that shit! you, mark, bobby, and sam can run all heads up at the same time :stare

No not all of them but... This way Mark can stay off the wall lol! :goof

[Waver]

KOTH on that shit! you, mark, bobby, and sam can run all heads up at the same time :stare
well that will be the way to settle things.....you are forgetting Aaron though.

[BOSS LX]

That way Mark can take us all out in one big crash!:rolf

[SmokinRAM114]

well that will be the way to settle things.....you are forgetting Aaron though.

LOL i couldnt think of his name. i knew there was at least 5. Is Skottie k included?

[Stangman98]

Great track...but do you realize IF they have T&T events there how much entry will be. You don't build a track like that and not make some money. Joliet has just as much seating. I seriously doubt they will be racing 4 wide because no one would insure them. I can't wait to see the track, but they better make sure to make the local T&T feel somewhat welcome, or they will be ass out.

[Alex d]

if the do the four lane thing it would be for oil downs when one lane shut down u can run on Another to keep racing going and spectators in the seats

[scaleracer]

if the do the four lane thing it would be for oil downs when one lane shut down u can run on Another to keep racing going and spectators in the seats

yeah but then it wouldn't be side to side racing and less chances of crashes :goof

[Syclone0044]

I posted this in Chad's track questions thread but figured it could use an update here too

The track is complete and just cut the ribbon. This Saturday is the Open House.

http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/dragway/news/534221.html

It really is a 4 lane dragstrip!!!!

http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/images/gallery/C68721F5-1422-10BC-74B88570AAF11C5C.jpg

http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/images/gallery/08-0718-441_lg.jpg


Link to more aerial shots: http://www.lowesmotorspeedway.com/dragway/gallery/sf5914.html

http://www.foleylewisracing.com/images/001.jpg

http://www.foleylewisracing.com/images/002.jpg


These photos are all obviously still under construction. Couldn't find any great shots of the finished work but I'm sure you all get the idea..

[Flicktitty]

man that is just awesome! thanks for keeping us up to date.

[Larrygto]

I doubt the people in that subdivision off to the left are too happy!:fire

[That_Guy]

are you kidding me i would be there every weekend..

[Car Guy]

Now that is something I would take a trip to go see, just awesome...!!! :drool:

In the one picture you can see how close the subdivision is to the track and I can see where the residents were coming from when they protested it. HOWEVER, if I lived there and heard 12,000+HP ripping down the track in the distance I would be grinning from ear to ear :D . Honestly, I would have a party the weekend of the big race just to piss off the neighbors even more.....:headbang

People need better sh!t to do with their lives than watch grass grow.....:devil

[PonyKiller87]

I doubt the people in that subdivision off to the left are too happy!:fire

Actualy thats a golf course, but still, Imagine the old bastard getting ready to tee one up and right as hes swinging 2 Top fuelers launch, that balls getting shanked into the woods. lol.

Awesome track though, anyone else think a BCM road trip would be neccessary?

[fly5150]

Actualy thats a golf course, but still, Imagine the old bastard getting ready to tee one up and right as hes swinging 2 Top fuelers launch, that balls getting shanked into the woods. lol.

Awesome track though, anyone else think a BCM road trip would be neccessary?

Look above the golf course.... see all the houses?????

[Syclone0044]

This is at the Lowe's Motor Speedway complex where NASCAR is held with 180,000 attendance, and there is also a dirt track, so I doubt engine noise will be anything new to the neighbors..

www.lowesmotorspeedway.com

[70 cutlass 442]

Wow, 4 way races, that should cut down line wait time and increase spectators... lol

unless it was GLD, then it would still take forever..... and the bump at the big end would span both tracks.

[SLOWC5]

no large concrete blocks at the shutdown area to stop cars that have issues. Nice F-ing track!!

[MoCkiN U]

engine noise from nascar carries for miles!! I used to live 7 exits from lowes motors speedway and could hear the drone from the motors carrying.

Those pictures make me miss home. BITCHES

[Syclone0044]

I met a Syclone guy who lives 5 minutes away. Here's some pics he took from the open house: :drool::drool:

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/madisonj77/lowes.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/madisonj77/lowespic2.jpg

http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g158/madisonj77/lowespic1.jpg

[Cutlass Queen]

I'm thinking a BCM road trip is needed :headbang

[Bobby "Big Daddy" Flay]

I'm thinking a BCM road trip is needed :headbang

sure

[nismodave]

Damn thats Nice!!!!

[That_Guy]

I'm thinking a BCM road trip is needed :headbang

hell yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!

btw where the hell is the water box?

[RanJer]

Don't have anything to race but I do love the North Carolina experience...

[HY35F2T]

i spy with my little eye a red 50's ford or chevy pick up?:drool::drool:

[Yeehaw]

i see the water box...but is it just me or is there no christmas trees?

[SpdRcrZ]

4 wide, lets roll!!!