WDAM.COM - TV 7 - News, Weather and SportsThousands converge at Hub City Dragway

Thousands converge at Hub City Dragway

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By Robert Whitehurst - email
Racers converge on the Hub City for the Mardi Gras Blowout. Racers converge on the Hub City for the Mardi Gras Blowout.
Jet engine that powers the Extreme Machine tractor trailer. Jet engine that powers the Extreme Machine tractor trailer.
HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Racers and spectators from across the nation flocked to Hub City Dragway Tuesday.

It was all a part of the Dragway's Fat Tuesday Mardi Gras Blowout. Over 5,000 people attended the event which featured cars of all shapes and sizes, including a tractor trailer powered by a jet engine.

"This is a fright liner classic. We call it the extreme machine. It's the world's fastest freight liner that I know. We've run this truck in a quarter mile in as fast as 7.14 seconds, at 225 mph," said co-owner of the Extreme Machine, Joe Urban.

2011's event was rained out, and officials believe this may have led to the increased turn-out this year. Parking filled up fast Tuesday morning, forcing track officials to shuttle spectators in from the Hattiesburg Convention Center.