zMAX Wants to Know: What Can YOU Do in 4 Seconds?

The fastest accelerating machine on the planet, an NHRA Top Fuel dragster, will reach 325 mph in less than four seconds. Now, fans can submit videos showing what they can do in less than four seconds to zMAX Dragway's Facebook page for the chance to win a VIP experience to the greatest spectacle in drag racing, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 13-15.

Videos submitted during the "What Can You Do in Four Seconds?" contest, can range from the mundane, such as reciting the alphabet, to the extraordinary, such as dribbling a basketball coast-to-coast and making a layup. However, the entries will be judged and fans are advised to take heed of a tried and true NHRA slogan, "Go Full Throttle or go home!"

NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series Top Fuel driver Antron Brown did more than a dozen tasks in less than four seconds for a 2010 zMAX Dragway PR campaign, "What Can Antron Do in Four Seconds?" He offered this advice:

"Just get creative and go for it," said Brown, driver of the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster for Don Schumacher Racing. "You can say the alphabet, chug a Full Throttle, spell my owner's last name correctly or run the 40-yard dash... though if you do that in less than four seconds, you're going to make some serious cash one day. NHRA fans are some of the most passionate fans in all of sports and the winner's VIP package is made for fans with the 'Nitro Gene!'"

The winner of the "What Can You Do in Four Seconds?" video contest will receive four suite tickets to Sunday's Eliminations, April 15, during the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway, VIP parking, a photo with all three Full Throttle Drag Racing Series winners in Winner's Circle and a ride down the Bellagio of drag strips in a two-seat dragster.

To submit your video for the "What Can You Do in Four Seconds?" contest, simply go to www.facebook.com/zmaxdragway and follow the instructions on the landing page. Fans will be able to submit videos with just a few easy steps.

Fans can also watch and comment on each video on the zMAX Dragway Facebook page. The contest begins Feb. 15 and lasts until March 16. Entries will be judged by zMAX Dragway officials and the winning video will be announced on Friday, March 23.

Three-day weekend passes for the third annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 13-15, at zMAX Dragway start at only $99 and are available by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.zmaxdragway.com. Four-night camping options are available for only $125. Connect with zMAX Dragway and stay up to speed with all the happenings at the Bellagio of drag strips on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zmaxdragway and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/zmaxdragway.

NHRA Rookies Force, Dejoria Meet National Press During NASCAR Media Week

(Courtney Force, left, and Alexis Dejoria, right, headline a talented crop of NHRA Full Throttle Series rookies in 2012. The pair were in Charlotte Wednesday to talk to media at zMAX Dragway. Photo by John Force Racing PR)

NHRA introduced two of the most intriguing rookie drivers in the history of the sport to the national motorsports media today during a press conference conducted as part of the NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. The legendary multi-purpose motorsports facility annually hosts two NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series events at its spectacular zMAX Dragway.

Rookie Funny Car drivers Alexis DeJoria and Courtney Force, both an important part of NHRA’s Nitro Generation theme for 2012, joined NHRA President Tom Compton during the season-preview press event, which was held in front of more than 100 of the nation’s top motorsports journalists.

DeJoria, daughter of famed entrepreneur John Paul DeJoria, will drive the Tequila Patron Toyota Camry and Force, youngest daughter of 15-time NHRA world champ John Force, will pilot the Traxxas Ford Mustang. The two drivers will be among the top contenders for the prestigious Auto Club Road to the Future Award, which annually recognizes NHRA’s top performing rookie driver.

"It was a little overwhelming to meet with all the media. I was glad I was with Alexis. We were able to talk about our dreams and how we came up through the ranks as well as what it is like to be a female racing at over 300 mph. I am looking forward to getting on the track at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in a couple of weeks.," said Courtney Force. "We just wrapped up testing yesterday in West Palm Beach. I am learning a lot about driving Funny Cars from my dad and I have also learned a lot about the media from watching all his interviews. I don't think I can be as entertaining but I do enjoy talking about NHRA and getting behind the wheel of my Traxxas Ford Mustang Funny Car."

The two drivers fielded questions from reporters about the challenges and expectations for their upcoming seasons and posed for photographs alongside a specially-wrapped Funny Car that featured the NHRA Nitro Generation design. NHRA also showed a high-energy video to the media that focused on the thrilling 300-mph performances, powerful side-by-side racing and close finishes that make NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing one of the most intense motorsports attractions on the planet.

Later in the afternoon many of the journalists attending the week-long media tour will participate in an NHRA Full Throttle Media Challenge Drag Race at zMAX Dragway. Media members will race in identically-prepared street-ready Ford Mustangs and DeJoria and Force will serve as driving coaches. DeJoria and Force also will race in the stock Mustangs in an exhibition prior to the media challenge race.

The highly-anticipated rookie battle begins Feb. 9-12 at the 52nd annual O’Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals presented by Super Start Batteries at historic Auto Club Raceway at Pomona in Southern California. The tradition-rich race is the first of 23 events in the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series for 2012. Tickets are available at www.NHRATIX.com or by calling (800) 884-NHRA (6472).

VIDEO: Zizzo Has a PEAK Performance at zMAX

zMAX Dragway Offers Free Thursday Tix for Matt Smith Bike Sponsors

(Former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith is providing fans an opportunity to be a sponsor on his Buell next weekend at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

Former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith is offering drag racing fans the opportunity to be a part of his team at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 for the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. For $20, fans can sponsor Smith's Buell at his home track, where he won the inaugural 4-Wide Nationals in 2010. The sponsorship provides access to a party at the Matt Smith Racing pit Thursday, Sept. 15, 4-6 p.m., where the sponsor can personally sign their name on the bike, receive an autograph from both Matt and Angie Smith, and participate in a group photo with Matt, Angie, the MSR Fan Sponsor Buell, and other sponsors.

The staff at zMAX have sweetened the deal by offering a free Thursday ticket to anyone sponsoring Smith's bike. A table will be set up outside the main spectator entrance of the drag strip where MSR sponsors can pick up their wristbands for the pit party and, at that time, will receive one free ticket for Thursday's festivities. In addition to all the other perks of being a fan bike sponsor, Antron Brown, the most recent U.S. Nationals Top Fuel champion, will be at the pit party to sign autographs and hang out starting at 5 p.m. The original deadline of Sept. 10 has also been lifted and fans will be able to pay for a sponsorship on Thursday at the gate where they will receive the free ticket and all the rest of the perks of being a sponsor next weekend.

But a free ticket, a meet and greet with Antron Brown, and a party isn't enough for Matt. He has some other perks for a couple of lucky fans.

"We've already had a bunch of people sign up for this deal and we're blown away with the response we've seen," said Smith. "To sweeten the pot a little, we're going to put everyone's name in a hat on the day of the pit party and pull five names. The first four will receive autographed team shirts. The fifth is going to get a team credential that allows them to go anywhere with us, including the starting line for every pass we make. We want to make this a great weekend for all our new sponsors and hopefully, they'll be partying with us in the Winner's Circle Sunday!"

Sponsors will receive one MSR Pit Party invitation and can sign one name per $20 sponsorship; however, fans may purchase as many sponsorships as they would like. If a sponsor is unable to attend the Pit Party, Matt or Angie will sign the sponsor's name to the bike personally and an autograph will be mailed to them.

Fans wanting to sponsor Matt's bike prior to the race can do so via PayPal or they can pay at the MSR table at the main entrance on Thursday. For more information on this opportunity and to pay through PayPal, click HERE. For any questions regarding sponsorships, e-mail Matt Smith Racing at SponsorMattsBike@yahoo.com. For more information on the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Fans of Matt Smith can find updates and photos of Matt Smith Racing at MattSmithRacing.com, Facebook.com/MattSmithRacing, and Twitter.com/MattSmithRacing. Videos of Matt and Matt Smith Racing can be found at YouTube.com/MattSmithNHRA. For information regarding sponsorship opportunities with Matt Smith Racing, please e-mail MattSmithRacing@yahoo.com.

Matt Smith Sweetens the Deal for zMAX Dragway Fan Sponsors

This week, former NHRA Full Throttle Series Pro Stock Stock Motorcycle champion Matt Smith offered drag racing fans the opportunity to be a part of his team at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 for the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals. For $20, fans can sponsor Smith's Buell at his home track, where he won the inaugural 4-Wide Nationals in 2010. The sponsorship provides access to a party at the Matt Smith Racing pit Thursday, Sept. 15, where the sponsor can personally sign their name on the bike, receive an autograph from both Matt and Angie Smith, and participate in a group photo with Matt, Angie, the MSR Fan Sponsor Buell, and other sponsors.

Matt decided that wasn't enough.

"We've already had a bunch of people sign up for this deal and we're blown away with the response we've seen," said Smith, currently fourth in PSM points. "To sweeten the pot a little, we're going to put everyone's name in a hat on the day of the pit party and pull five names. The first four will receive autographed team shirts. The fifth is going to get a team credential that allows them to go anywhere with us, including the starting line for every pass we make. We want to make this a great weekend for all our new sponsors and hopefully, they'll be partying with us in the Winner's Circle Sunday!"

Sponsors will receive one MSR Pit Party invitation and can sign one name per $20 sponsorship; however, fans may purchase as many sponsorships as they would like. If a sponsor is unable to attend the Pit Party, Matt or Angie will sign the sponsor's name to the bike personally and an autograph will be mailed to them.

The next race for Matt is Brainerd (Minn.) International Raceway Aug. 18-21. The North Carolina native was able to commit to the event thanks to additional sponsorship from Red Line Synthetic Oil and Haltech Fuel Injection Systems.

For more information on this opportunity, click HERE. For any questions regarding sponsorships, e-mail Matt Smith Racing at SponsorMattsBike@yahoo.com. For more information on the O'Reilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals at zMAX Dragway Sept. 15-18 or to purchase tickets, click HERE.

Fans of Matt Smith can find updates and photos of Matt Smith Racing at MattSmithRacing.com, Facebook.com/MattSmithRacing, and Twitter.com/MattSmithRacing. Videos of Matt and Matt Smith Racing can be found at YouTube.com/MattSmithNHRA. For information regarding sponsorship opportunities with Matt Smith Racing, please e-mail MattSmithRacing@yahoo.com.

For more information on HighSide Media, its programs, and its clients, visit HighSideMedia.com. You can also follow HSM at Twitter.com/HighSideMedia and on its official page on Facebook.

Big Daddy Talks 4-Wide, Sportsman Racing, Corporate Sponsorships

("Big Daddy" Don Garlits speaks to the assembled media Friday at zMAX Dragway near Charlotte. Garlits, along with Shirley Muldowney, Kenny Bernstein, and Connie Kalitta, represent NHRA's legends this weekend as part of the year-long celebration of the sanction's 60th anniversary. Photo by Brandon W. Mudd)

zMAX is a little different than the drag strip you built back in the day.

“Back in 1959, in Tampa or just outside of Tampa, we built a drag strip. We got this piece of property out in this field from this guy and put a piece of asphalt down through it and put in a tiny tower. We thought we really had something. It was a little better than those airstrips that we were running on. I look at this place here and it just boggles my mind. I’ve never seen anything quite like it for drag racing. It really shows you how far the sport has come in the last 60 years.”

What’s it been like to be a part of NHRA’s 60^th anniversary?

“First of wall, I’m really enjoying this year because I’m doing a lot of participation with NHRA at some of their events. I had kind of slowed down as little bit and didn’t do too much last year. I’ve got a real sick wife at home and I’ve been staying pretty close with her. Her sister’s helping me out with her, (my wife’s) got a younger sister. But I just wanted to get out here and help celebrate this 60^th. It’s a milestone in my opinion. I’ve seen a lot in drag racing. I remember when all it was when the guys would come out to the race at one of those old airports that were given up by the government when the war was over, World War II. Everybody drove to the event. We didn’t have clocks. All the speedometers read about 80 miles per hour at the end and we were happy with it! We never had any idea it would do what it did. It was so funny. Each major breakthrough, I remember when we broke a hundred miles per hour, we got a big fancy jacket, a silk jacket, the Century Club. We never thought, maybe a little faster than that. Then there was the 150 mile per hour club. That was really something. A California guy did that with two engines in a car called the Bustle Bomb. We really thought that was the most we were ever going to be able to do. Then it went right on up to 200, 250, 275, 300, 325, 335. I guess they were going to go 350 and then they decided, hey! They’re going a little too fast for what we’re trying to do and I think that was a good move because that’s when they put the brakes on them. But now they’re doing about the same speed in the thousand foot, so my question is, what’s next?”

Are you disappointed that you didn’t get to race 4-Wide on this level?

“Kinda. I got out of it just as the really big sponsorships were coming in and they were building the real fancy facilities. I did come back and make a few runs in 2003 and got to go 300 miles per hour and I enjoyed that. But I had gotten a little bit too old for that kind of racing. It puts a lot of strain on your body, your eyes, everything about it. I knew that I couldn’t continue on, so I dropped out. I do Sportsman racing now just for fun, you know? Actually, it wasn’t me, it was my wife who really insisted that I quit. She said it just scared her so bad to see me get in the car and go 300 miles per hour. Then when they came out with this drag pack car, she said, ‘Honey, why don’t you get you one of those? They only go 130, that would be OK. That wouldn’t scare me!’”

Are you disappointed that they didn’t have 4-Wide racing back then?

“Now see, you’re not informed. I raced a lot of 4-Wide. Not at this level, but Top Fuel. We put four Top Fuelers on the drag strip and went down at York, Pennsylvania; Detroit Dragway; Fresno, California; it’s exciting to do that, go 4-Wide with four cars on the track at the same time. It was the same deal, it’s just that this is much faster.”

What was it like to run 4-Wide back then?

“The one thing was, the difference was they didn’t have the single-lane timing like they do today, so the winner was the only one who got a time. The ET that was recorded was the winning car. Everybody else, they didn’t know what they turned and that was one of the things we didn’t like about it. But the crowds loved it! They ate it up. The problem we were faced with back then usually when we had the 4-Wide, it wasn’t usually a big national event where there was a lot of cars. There was maybe only eight cars that were scheduled in. So you did two runs and you only did the two cars, the two winners, so the show was shut off a little bit soon. I think that’s why it didn’t really catch on back then, they didn’t really have enough cars to participate. Now they did 4-Wide in Bakersfield (Calif.) back in 1965 where they had 125 Fuel dragsters. That might have really got some attention. They could have done it there because it was a nice, wide track. I don’t know why they didn’t. We were all concerned because—you all got the big barrier in the center here and you’ve got two separate drag strips and we didn’t have it that way. The four cars were on the track there side by side much closer than we have here. The tracks were a little bit wider, but not as wide as this facility. I think they thought about it all and there was some danger involved and it was just kinda done away with. This was quite a deal when they came back with it here. I have to make this observation of what I’ve seen. I think there’s something that should be really considered is to run these stockers 4-Wide, like the stock classes, the Stock Eliminator that I’m in. There’s 59 cars here in that class. We could have some real good racing 4-Wide due to the fact you’ve got a lot of cars. I think it would cause the stock Sportsmen classes to be a lot more exciting to send four of them down at a time versus the two and you’ve got plenty of cars so it would be a big show. I think it would create a lot more interest in that division. You’ve got a lot of cars back there with a lot of money involved in them, they just don’t go as fast. With four on the track at the same time, it would be a lot more exciting. That’s just my personal opinion. That’s just what I see.”

Your thoughts on the evolution of the sport.

“It’s a fantastic thing that has happened to the sport. The exposure that we’re getting, the television, we never dreamed we’d get that kind of exposure or even acceptance by the general public. When I got started, drag racers were considered black-leather jacketed hoodlums racing through school zones. For the sport to reach this plateau that it’s at now with the professionalism, the sponsorship, the television. When someone would spend the money to build a facility like this, it really speaks highly of the sport that they’re talking with their pocketbooks that we believe in the product. So there’s a lot more left. I would have never thought it. We’re living in a little economic downturn right now, so I don’t think we should pay attention to what’s happening right this minute. I think that’ll change, it always has. There’s a lot of people who like this sport. They enjoy it. I was talking to some people, there’s been a lot who have come over by (our pits) and they said, ‘We were just going through going home on our way to Canada, we thought we’d stop and watch this 4-Wide.’ So the word is getting out that it’s getting exciting to watch. It’s going to be interesting.”

How is your racing this weekend?

“They ran the class off this morning and I got beat and the guy that beat me won the deal. These guys are good. I mean they know exactly what their car will do every time. I don’t have enough seat time in my car because I’m not really in it to win championships or anything. I’m just out here having some fun. (Saturday) we have Stock Eliminator and that one, you dial what you think your car will run and then you gotta leave first and run pretty close to whatever time you put on your windshield. I’m gonna put like a 10.15 on mine and that’s what I hope I can run, leave with the competitor and run a 10.15 and that will keep me in there. There’s 59 cars in my class so there’ll be a lot of rounds to go. It’s really different. I have to say about the Sportsman racing, they’re a really nice bunch of people back there. It kind of reminds me of the old days because when I started, it was just stock automobiles. It was all Sportsman racing. There wasn’t any money involved and everybody helped if you broke something. Everybody come over and worked on your car. That’s how they are in the Sportsman pits. If anything happened to my car, I can go back there to any one of those guys, they’ll help me, they’ll give me parts, they’ll let me use their lifts or trailer or whatever. The professional drag racing got away from that. It got a little bit tough because the corporate sponsorship. You just can’t do that. You can’t have your team going over and helping someone else. That would be really bad. So I kinda enjoy that in the Sportsman racing because it reminds me of the old days.”

Could you imagine racing like they do today with the big corporate sponsors?

“In 1986 and 1987 when the major sponsorships were coming in and I had a taste of it.  I was with Mopar and Kendall and it was starting to really get tough. Your team had to be dead on, everybody had to be uniformed up and all cleaned up real nice and you had to say the right thing when the television cameras were on you. It was very controlled and it was corporate. Without the corporate sponsorship, you weren’t going to be able to do it, so you had to keep your sponsor and there were lots of little rules. You’d be surprised back there in those pits. I won’t call any names, but some of those teams have some very serious rules for the workers, the people who do the work. Some of them aren’t even allowed to stand around with their hands in their pockets! They’ve got to be doing something and be busy. It’s their rules and it’s all because of the corporate involvement now.”