Drag Racing added to Cleveland weekend

The lights will be back on for racing at Burke Lakefront Airport this weekend, but not for the main event. In an attempt to add something new for race fans, race promoters have added drag racing at night, beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Amateur drag racing, featuring the Street Warriorz, is set for Friday and Saturday, along with a custom car show, which is Friday, Saturday and Sunday. With the drag racing at night, race General Manager Chuck Kosich said 40 light towers have been purchased for use now and in the future.

The drag races are on the middle runway at Burke, what race fans will recognize as the straightaway going into the first turn. The lights will be used on that straight, and also for lighting the midway behind the grandstands.

Live and learn:

The recent drag racing tragedy on a Tennessee highway should not dissuade fans from watching the drag races at Burke from inside the newly created infield.

"What we've got are street-legal cars, not the specialty cars," Kosich said. "There will also be a debris fence up and the spectators will be behind the debris fence."

Value pricing:

Fans interested in just the late-night action with the drag racing can purchase a Twilight Pit Pass for $5 after 8 p.m. Friday and $10 after 7 p.m. Saturday. This allows access to the infield and closer to the race cars. When combined with a $5 general admission ticket (good for all day), fans can see the Champ Car and support events during the day, plus the drag racing at night.

Those who purchase a regular infield pass during the day ($20 Friday, $25 Saturday) can use their passes during twilight.