Motocross coming to Concord dragway

Motocross racing’s top circuit is making a stop at Concord’s zMax Dragway in September.

The Monster Energy MXGP of the Americas – which will require the drag strip to be converted into a 1-mile, dirt-filled, hilly course – is set for Sept. 2-3.

The event is part of the MXGP World Championship, which is run on 18 tracks in Europe, the United States, Qatar, Thailand, Argentina and Mexico. The eight-month season begins Feb. 27 in Qatar.

“It’s going to be an amazing race course and an amazing weekend,” said motocross racer Jeremy McGrath. “The course is going to be tough and tight. Fans are going to see crazy jumps out there. It will be cool to show off Charlotte to the world circuit.”

zMax Dragway is already host to two National Hot Rod Association events, including the Four-Wide Nationals in April.

Notes

▪ NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity class of 2016 was introduced Tuesday at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Media Tour. It includes:

Collin Cabre, 22, of Tampa; Ruben Garcia, 20, of Mexico City; Ali Kern, 22, of Fremont, Ohio; Jairo Avila, 20, of Alhambra, Calif.; Enrique Baca, 24, of Monterrey, Mexico; and Juan Garcia, 18, of Bogota, Colombia.

They will drive for Rev Racing in NASCAR’s K&N Pro Series East and Whelen All-American series.

Recent Drive for Diversity graduates include 2014 Cup rookie of the year Kyle Larson, five-time Truck winner Darrell Wallace Jr. and 2014 Xfinity rookie of the year Daniel Suarez.

▪ Joe Gibbs Racing owner Joe Gibbs, a former coach of Washington’s professional football franchise, said he’s impressed with the Carolina Panthers’ season and playoff run.

“I certainly think they have done a heck of a job,” Gibbs said at the media tour. “I think they are very physical and their quarterback is playing great and he’s physical. If you get into these playoffs and you’ve got something you can’t do – you can’t play special teams, you can’t run the football or you can’t pass – it’s going to bite you. I have to tell you, they are pretty solid all across the board.”

▪ Bass Pro Shops will the primary sponsor for Martin Truex’s No. 78 Toyota.

This story was originally published January 19, 2016 at 8:00 PM with the headline "Motocross coming to Concord dragway."