 Top Gun : The Jet Coaster soft opened to guests and media on March 16 , 1999 . Riders of the first cycle included NASCAR drivers Stanton Barrett , Tony Stewart , Jerry Nadeau , and Kenny Wallace . The ride officially opened to the public on March 20 , 1999 . On July 1 , 2006 , the Cedar Fair Entertainment Company announced their acquisition of all of the Paramount Parks , including Carowinds . The aforementioned Top Gun roller coasters at other parks were all renamed to Flight Deck by the 2008 season , with Carowinds ' installation being renamed to Afterburn . For the 2014 season , the ride 's 15th season , Afterburn will receive a new coat of paint . 
