Burnout

A burnout is the act of spinning a vehicle's wheels while keeping the car stationary, creating friction that heats up the tires and produces thick smoke.

During a burnout, drivers use different techniques depending on their vehicle type. In rear-wheel drive cars, they press both the gas and brake pedals at the same time, using the front brakes to hold the car in place while the rear tires spin freely. Front-wheel drive vehicles require the emergency brake to lock the rear wheels while the driver accelerates, though this method is harder on the car and less common in professional motorsport.

In drag racing, burnouts serve a crucial practical purpose. The spinning action heats up the tire rubber, making it softer and stickier for better grip when the race begins. This process also cleans dirt and debris from the tires and lays down a thin layer of rubber on the track surface, further improving traction for the launch.

Beyond their technical benefits, burnouts have become a popular way for winning drivers to celebrate victories. NASCAR winners routinely perform burnouts after crossing the finish line, creating dramatic clouds of smoke for fans and cameras. This celebratory tradition has spread across many racing series, from IndyCar to Formula 1.

The practice gained widespread popularity in motorsport partly thanks to drivers like Alex Zanardi, who helped establish the burnout as a victory celebration ritual. Today, fans expect and cheer for these smoky displays, especially after major race wins.

While burnouts are legal and encouraged at racetracks, performing them on public roads is illegal in most countries due to safety concerns and the potential for property damage. The intense heat generated can damage both tires and road surfaces, making burnouts strictly a track-only activity for responsible drivers.