NASCAR star Kurt Busch and NHRA Top Fuel standout Brittany Force saw their high-speed worlds collide in show-stopping fashion on Wednesday at zMAX Dragway and Charlotte Motor Speedway, as the two hotshoes engaged in a thrilling preview of playoff racing at the world's only venue to host both an NHRA Countdown to the Championship race, the Sept. 16-18 NHRA Carolina Nationals, and the Oct. 8 NASCAR Bank of America 500 during the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup.
Force returns to zMAX Dragway as the track's most recent winner, having claimed the April 22-24 Four-Wide Nationals presented by Lowes Foods, but her return trip to the Bellagio of drag strips was to beat Busch in a best-of-three battle aboard brand-new Chevrolet Camaros; then take a three-lap ride alongside the 2010 Coca-Cola 600 winner. Busch - a drag-racing enthusiast - prevailed in the matchup between two Monster Energy-sponsored racers and offered Force a first-hand view of the adrenaline-fueled excitement that comes with racing on the iconic 1.5-mile superspeedway.
"This is my second home," Busch said. "There's a pride factor when you race at Charlotte. When you get a win and you take home one of those trophies, you know you've accomplished something.
"What (Force) does on the drag strip and what I do on the oval, we have a lot of fun with it … It's fun to get out of our comfort zones and just go fast."
Force - who called her introduction to NASCAR "insane" - believes similar feelings will return when she goes for a Top Fuel title and a season sweep at zMAX Dragway.
"I'm definitely pumped," Force said. "That was a big win for us, especially for me as a driver … To get to come out here and race Kurt, who is one of my Monster Energy teammates, that was really awesome. It's a day I'll never forget for sure."
TICKETS:
Fans can call 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or shop online to buy tickets to the Sept. 16-18 NHRA Carolina Nationals, the Oct. 8 Bank of America 500 and all upcoming race events. Camping and hotel accommodations can also be purchased online or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267).
MORE INFO:
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