‘Where sport meets show’: Dirt bike event returns to zMAX Dragway in Concord this weekend

Fans can be even closer to the SuperMotocross World Championship at zMAX Dragway this year.

Spectators will be able to stand about 40 feet from the edge of the track as dirt bikes are hitting their obstacles. The winners’ podium has been relocated to a central spot — where it will look more like a NASCAR Victory Lane — and fans will have access.

“We really realized that the fans of Charlotte are die-hard motorsports fans,” Mike Muye, the director of operations for Feld Motorsports, said in an interview. “And we try to give them as much access to this sport as possible.”

Following last year’s inaugural event, the SuperMotocross World Championship playoffs open at zMAX Dragway once again. The riders, who have been racing for the past 28 weeks, are expecting to have their championship points reset — as each competitor hopes to win a $5 million purse after the three final races.

Practice on Friday will kick off the festivities, followed by the main event at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, which will stream live on Peacock. After this weekend, the SMX playoffs continue at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth before the World Championship Finals on Sept. 21 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

‘The mechanics will talk to you’

Most of the previous 28 rounds of the SMX season have been held in stadiums and ballparks, including Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, and Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

SMX, which aims to combine man-made obstacles of Supercross and natural terrain hurdles in Motocross, is a unique sport. All four of the lanes will be utilized, plus the return lanes of the drag strip. The course will even stretch into the parking lot beyond the grandstands, giving the track the natural terrain feel that Motocross does.

“We have unique opening ceremonies, fun videos at the driver introductions — almost akin to a UFC or boxing match — as well as the physical presence of these drivers,” Muye said. “As you watch them and see what they’re going through and how hard they’re racing and pushing one another, it’s pretty awesome.

“Not only do you get to be that close to the track, but you get to be that close to the athletes in the fanfest. All the bikes, all the riders work out of tractor-trailers that are positioned in and around the fanfest. You can get autographs, you can get pictures of the motorcycles. The mechanics will talk to you.”

‘Where sport meets show’

SMX officials have wanted to bring the event to Charlotte for “quite some time,” Muye said.

Like any other sport, it’s not just about bringing in new fans; SMX sees the opportunity to educate people about the sport.

There will be unprecedented fan access. Practice sessions on Friday will include a big press conference that puts the faces of the sport in front of spectators, along with a Yamaha Pit Bike Race that sees other industry favorites take the course.

“It’s where sport meets show,” Muye said. “There’s just a lot to do that can really engross you into the sport. Anybody who I’ve ever brought to a race for the first time, they walk away a fan. That’s really our goal.”

SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs

When: Friday-Saturday. The Fan Zone will be open between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Friday, and SMX will hold its practice. The opening ceremonies for the main event are scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. For a full schedule, visit Charlotte Motor Speedway’s website.

Where: zMAX Dragway, Concord, N.C.

Tickets: Tickets to the main event are available and start at $35.

Watch: Race Day Live starts at 9:30 a.m. on Peacock. The race will air on Peacock and SiriusXM at 2:30 p.m. Saturday. The main event will re-air on NBC at 4 p.m. Sunday.