Fri, 12 Apr 2013, 11:01 AM Fun Accessibility, Family Fun Abound At the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals

Courtesy of Charlotte Motor Speedway Public Relations

CONCORD, N.C. --

Tony Schumacher, who drivers the U.S. Army dragster for Don Schumacher Racing, signs autographs for fans during last year's Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway. (CMS/HHP Photo)

Next weekend the fastest-accelerating machines on the planet will launch into the season's only four-wide slugfest during the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals fueled by Full Throttle. The on-track action will be stellar, but off the track, ticket holders will experience some of the best fan accessibility in any major sport and more family fun than ever before.

Every ticket for the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals is pit pass. Each and every fan to attend the event has the option to visit the pits and witness the intensity of drivers and crews as they prepare their cars for the next pass. "The opportunities for fans to see their favorite drivers and teams at NHRA events like the Dollar General Four-Wide Nationals is unlike anything else in sports," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Imagine being in the locker room during halftime or in the huddle on the sidelines, and that's the kind of access every fan will have during race weekends at zMAX Dragway. You can walk right up to the pits and watch teams tear down cars in between runs or get an autograph from the sport's best drivers."

Fans of all ages can visit the pits, and while there, they can not only see each team, but visit sponsor displays and merchandise trailers along the famed Nitro Alley. Children 13 and under get in free to the three-day event with a paying adult and once inside they can visit the Play Zone, located behind the John Force Grandstand. The Play Zone includes an 8,000-square-foot remote control car dirt course built by Traxxas, jet cars on display, race-themed bounce houses, a brand new Extreme Air Jumper and plenty more.

In addition to seeing drivers in the pits, fans can also attend the Nitro Generation Track Walk on Sunday, April 21. A bevy of drivers and their families are expected join fans for walk down the strip just minutes before the start of eliminations. The track walk will begin at 10:30 a.m. and is free to all Sunday ticket holders.

Gates open at 7:30 a.m. on Friday, 8 a.m. on Saturday and at 9 a.m. on Sunday. Sportsman action starts at 8 a.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. on Saturday. Nitro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. on Friday and 12:15 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. On Sunday, final eliminations are scheduled to begin at noon.

Tickets and camping are still available for the Dollar General NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 19-21 at zMAX Dragway, by calling the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or online at www.4widedrags.com. Friday tickets start at just $20 and kids 13 and under get in free.

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.

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