Bracket Racing

Bracket racing is a form of drag racing that uses a handicap system to allow cars of different speeds to compete fairly against each other.

In bracket racing, the key isn't having the fastest car – it's about being the most consistent driver. Before each race, drivers must predict how long it will take their car to complete the track distance, usually a quarter-mile. This prediction is called a "dial-in time."

Here's how the handicap system works: if one car dials in at 12 seconds and another at 15 seconds, the slower car gets a 3-second head start when the green light comes on. This levels the playing field so a modified sports car can race against a family sedan.

The winner isn't necessarily the first car to cross the finish line. Instead, victory goes to whoever runs closest to their dial-in time without going faster than predicted. If you run faster than your dial-in, it's called "breaking out," and you automatically lose the race.

Your reaction time – how quickly you leave the starting line when the light turns green – is just as important as your car's performance. Even if both drivers hit their exact dial-in times, the one with the better reaction time wins.

This format makes bracket racing incredibly accessible. You can compete with almost any vehicle, including street-legal cars. A well-tuned economy car driven consistently can beat a powerful muscle car if the muscle car's driver isn't as precise with their timing.

Bracket racing emphasizes driver skill, car knowledge, and consistency over raw horsepower and big budgets. This grassroots approach has made it one of the most popular forms of drag racing, welcoming everyone from weekend hobbyists to serious competitors who use it to hone their racing skills.