Every year, on the Saturday before the 4^th of July from 7-9pm, there is a “burnout party” hosted on a dead end road in a small town just outside of Paris, Texas. In 2004, 12 or so friends got together to ask their neighbors if it would be ok to do some burnouts for a few hours before dark. Not surprisingly (c’mon, it’s Texas), the neighbors gave their blessings and the very first burnout party was born.

Today, what started out with just a few friends has turned into a full-blown neighborhood block party with over 200 onlookers, and 20 or so cars that come to burn rubber. There’s no prize for the best burnout, unless you count the heap of negativity from the over 28k commenters on Zman377’s Youtube video entitled “The Best Burnout EVER!!!!” Which, by the way, has about 19.5 million views to date.

In the video, Zman goes a little beyond burning out in his $300 1983 Dodge Ram Charger. Zman bought the truck specifically for this party because he wasn’t interested in tearing up his 280Z or his Grand National for the entertainment of the crowd any more. While driving it home, the truck lost oil pressure and because of this, he never thought the old Dodge would make it 10 seconds, much less 3 or so minutes for a tire melting, rim glowing, spark throwing exhibition. Zman swears, “All I wanted to do was blow it up and the thing just kept on going!”

And since the internet will be the internet, keyboard cowboys are always geared up to make comments like, “Whose road are these _____s tearing up,” “Crazy American Idiots,” and the always favorite, “I love rednecks.” When we contacted Zman to ask him what he thinks of the criticism, he declares, I am not a redneck,” and lightheartedly adds, “I have all of my teeth.”

Joking aside, he wants everyone to know that the road isn’t being “torn up.” It’s made up of very thick concrete (not asphalt) since his neighborhood used to be an old military training camp in the 40s. He also makes clear that he is not an idiot. Rather, he is just your average car nut, who has a respectable job, a family, and a few toys that he works on himself and enjoys on the weekend.

And in case you are interested, Zman has a new and improved version of the Best Burnout Ever with 4 different camera angles.