Without question, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway is one of the most unique and thrilling events in motorsports. It is the only time during the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season where four 10,000-horsepower machines line up side by side by side by side to deliver an experience that is unrivaled in drag racing.
Top Fuel standout Antron Brown, the 2012 world champion who won the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals a year ago, may have found an ideal way to describe one of the most adrenaline-filled moments of the season.
“I compare the Four-Wide to wrestling,” Brown said. “We usually only race against one car, but the Four-Wide is like a battle royale where you’re wrestling everybody. In the final round, you’re racing the best of the best, and there’s three [drivers] you have to beat. It’s a grueling race, but it’s one we always look forward to going to because it is unique. You can’t get anything more action packed than having four nitro cars on the starting line at the same time.”
The top NHRA stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle return to zMAX Dragway for the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, March 27-29, marking the fourth of 24 events during the 2015 season. Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jimmy Alund (Pro Stock), and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN will provide live eliminations coverage on Sunday, and Mello Yello Series racing will begin at 1 p.m. (ET).
The one-of-a-kind race provides an atmosphere that has fans and drivers buzzing throughout the weekend. The key, at least for a top star like Hight, is blocking out the surroundings and focusing on his own 10,000-horsepower Auto Club Chevy Camaro.
“The main thing I try and do is just not get distracted,” Hight said. “You have to run your own race. I just focus on what I have to do and not get caught up in the fact that there are three other race cars on the track. The challenge for this race is similar to other races when you consider how competitive the Funny Car class is. You have to be at the top of your game to get round-wins. The benefit with the Four-Wide is you just have to be the first or second Funny Car across the finish line until that last race.”
Top Fuel standout Spencer Massey has had great success at the event, posting wins in 2012 and 2013. His ability to enjoy the weekend and thrilling moments yet still remain focused has been key to his success, something Massey attributes to his bracket racing days.
“It’s a huge adrenaline rush,” said Massey, driver of the Red Fuel dragster. “Beating three people in the final round is extremely hard to do. It almost makes me think of my bracket racing days when you have to pay attention to every little thing. That’s the way I’ve always thought about it. You always have to pay a lot of attention in drag racing, but this really amplifies it.”
When the final round arrives, it usually delivers an amazing showdown. The 2014 Top Fuel final round between Brown, Doug Kalitta, Shawn Langdon, and J.R. Todd was an incredible race, with Brown edging out Langdon and Todd in an extremely close finish.
“Last year’s final round showed how competitive it was when three of us ran within one-thousandth of a second of each other, and a couple of us ran the same e.t.,” Brown said. “It’s usually the first off the starting line who is going to get that win.”
Hight is also a fan of the experience that the prestigious zMAX Dragway provides.
“I love racing at Bruton Smith-owned tracks,” Hight said. “They do everything top notch, and it is always great to win in Charlotte. It is a great event for the fans, and Charlotte is a growing market for NHRA.”
The mix of spectacle, entertainment, and sport has been an ideal formula for Massey at the event as well. It’s a combination that some may struggle with, but Massey embraces the entertainment factor of the race, knowing when to focus on working for a victory.
“I’m excited for the event, but that’s easy for me to say because I’ve had success there,” Massey said. “I would race there every weekend if I could.”
In Top Fuel, reigning world champ Tony Schumacher, who won the most recent event in Phoenix, has two victories at zMAX Dragway, but he is looking for his first in the unique four-lane format. Kalitta, Todd, three-time world champ Larry Dixon, reigning rookie of the year Richie Crampton, Brittany Force, Steve Torrence, and Leah Pritchett will all be major contenders as well.
Reigning Funny Car world champ Matt Hagan is a three-time winner in Charlotte, and other stars include John Force, Courtney Force, three-time national event winner Alexis DeJoria, Del Worsham, Cruz Pedregon, Jack Beckman, Tommy Johnson Jr., and Ron Capps.
Substituting for four-time world champ Greg Anderson, who had off-season heart surgery, Alund ran the first five races and struck gold at zMAX Dragway last year. Anderson, a two-time winner of the event, is looking for back-to-back wins following his Gainesville victory, and teammate Jason Line will be vying for another winner’s circle appearance after winning the season-opening race. Others to watch include reigning world champ Erica Enders-Stevens, 2012 world champ Allen Johnson, Phoenix winner and current points leader Rodger Brogdon, Drew Skillman, Shane Gray, and Jonathan Gray.
Hines and Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle season, combining to win 11 of the 16 events in 2014. Hines claimed his first win of the year in Charlotte and claimed five more titles en route to his fourth career world championship. Krawiec, 2009 world champ Hector Arana Sr., 2013 event winner Hector Arana Jr., two-time world champ Matt Smith, Angie Smith, and Steve Johnson will all be competitive in the two-wheeled category.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time with their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular NitroAlley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food, and fun for the entire family.
Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, March 27, with sessions at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, March 28, also at 1:15 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.
The 2015 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $99. Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com or call the box office at 800-455-FANS (3267).
