CONCORD, N.C. — This weekend, four-wide racing returns to Concord at Zmax Dragway.
The speedway is coming off a year of slumping ticket sales, but despite a struggling economy and rising gas prices, things are improving.
Friday is the first day of the three-day event at Zmax Dragway that happens once a year. The four-wide nationals brings in spectators from across the U.S. and countries around the world, including one camper Eyewitness News spoke to from Canada
Doug Claydon, from Ontario, said Concord is the last stop for he and his wife, who have been on the road since the New Year.
"We can watch the U.S. drag races on TV but it's nothing like being here, hearing the roar and the excitement of the crowd and getting to meet the people," Claydon said.
He said the cost of camping and tickets for the weekend was $1,200, and that doesn't factor in gas, food or the attractions in the Charlotte area he and his family have been to during their stay.
"You don't even think about the expense. It's all about the pleasure and enjoyment of what you're doing," Claydon said.
There will be at least 60,000 other people there who have the same mindset, which is good for the speedway, which said ticket sales were down last year, but have bounced back in 2012 and are up roughly 10 percent.
“They (fans) come in early, they stay late; two, four-day weekends that they're going to be here in the area spending money in the community,” said CMS spokesperson Arian Parker.
On average, one NHRA race weekend pumps $12 million into the local economy.
More information:
Zmax Dragway
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