The NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series makes its first of two stops at fabulous zMAX Dragway — the self-proclaimed “Bellagio of dragstrips” — with the spectacle of four-wide racing in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. The site, which also has hosted an NHRA national event in mid-September since 2008, is famous for its fan amenities and side-by-side dragstrips, which have been recently resurfaced.

How to Get There: From Charlotte (south) or Greensboro, N.C. (north), take I-85 to Exit 49 (Bruton Smith Boulevard/Concord Mills), then head east; parking is available on both sides of Bruton Smith Boulevard. From Charlotte, take I-85 north to Exit 46A (Mallard Creek Church Road), turn right off exit, then left onto Highway 29 North/North Tryon; parking is available on the left past Bruton Smith Boulevard. From South Carolina, take I-77 north to Exit 1 (I-485 East), then follow I-485 to Exit 32 (Highway 29/North Tryon). Take Highway 29 north to the speedway; parking is available on the left past Bruton Smith Boulevard. From Statesville, N.C., take I-77 south to Exit 25. Turn left on Highway 73 (Sam Furr Road), then right on Poplar Tent to Pitts School Road. Turn right onto Highway 29 South; parking available on the right.

Visitor Information: www.zmaxdragway.com