The NHRA has announced that for the first time ever, a national event will be run four wide with the inaugural “Four Wide Nationals” held at zMax Dragway on March 25-28, 2010. Traditionalists who hate 1,000-foot racing should be clutching their chests over this development. 

At a press conference held at zMax Dragway today, Tom Compton was quoted by NHRA.com as saying, “We had so much positive feedback from our fans and drivers after the four-lane exhibition last September that we were comfortable adding this unique twist to an official NHRA national event. Once again, NHRA will be making history at zMax Dragway. With all four of our Full Throttle Series categories competing in four-wide racing it will certainly be a spectacular event to see.”

The rules of the event are going to be different, most likely to make sure that the event is not concluded too quickly. According to NHRA.com, here’s what the special rules look like:

* Qualifying will be conducted using four lanes

* Each category winner will be determined in three rounds of eliminations

* The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the four first rounds of eliminations will advance to the second round

* The two drivers to cross the finish line first in each of the two second rounds of eliminations will advance to the final round

* Each final round will feature four drivers in each category, and the single driver to cross the finish line first in the final will be declared the winner of the race, the second runner-up and so on.

Source — NHRA.com — Four-lane racing to be showcased during inaugural NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMax Dragway