Four people have been charged in connection with recent drag races on Interstate 75 near Hamilton Place Mall and on Highway 153.
Police said onlookers gathered by the highways to watch both races in which drivers in souped-up vehicles reached speeds in excess of 100 miles per hour.
Chattanooga Police traffic investigators said they received word of a loosely-organized illegal street racing event that occurred on the interstate in Chattanooga during the late evening hours on Dec. 27.
Police said, "This illegal street race involved several heavily modified cars drag racing on I-75 northbound near Hamilton Place Mall. It was witnessed by several people standing along the concrete barrier next to the interstate who videoed the illegal races.
"Officers later received word that more racing would occur last Friday night/early Saturday morning in the same location. Using unmarked vehicles and video cameras, traffic investigators set up a sting to record the racing and then make arrests/citations."
Four vehicles were videotaped racing on Highway 153 southbound to I-75 northbound. These vehicles slowed the traffic behind them to a crawl (less than 15-20 mph), then simultaneously accelerated to speeds in excess of 100 mph before exiting the interstate.
All drivers have been cited for drag racing and are due in General Sessions Court on Feb. 15 at 8:30 a.m.
Cited were Brandon McDaniel, 23, of Ooltewah; Jack McKenley, 33, of Ooltewah; Brandon Green, 23, of Chattanooga, and Keith Ratcliff, 24, of Cleveland, Tn.