Bustout

A bustout in drag racing is when a driver completes their run faster than the time they predicted, which typically results in disqualification even if they crossed the finish line first.

This term comes from bracket racing, a popular form of drag racing that lets vehicles of completely different speeds compete against each other fairly. The key to bracket racing is that each driver must predict their finishing time before the race begins. This prediction is called a "dial-in" time.

Think of it like a golfer's handicap system. A slower car might dial in at 12 seconds, while a faster car dials in at 10 seconds. The slower car gets a head start based on this difference, making the competition about consistency and driver skill rather than just raw speed.

When a driver runs quicker than their dial-in time, they have "busted out" or "broken out" of their prediction. For example, if you dial in at 11.50 seconds but actually run 11.48 seconds, you've busted out by two-hundredths of a second. Even though you were faster, you lose the race.

This rule exists to prevent sandbagging, where drivers intentionally predict slower times to gain an unfair advantage with a bigger head start. Without the bustout rule, racers could dial in much slower than their car's true capability and easily win races.

The only exception to the bustout disqualification is if your opponent commits a more serious foul, such as leaving the starting line too early (called a red light) or crossing the boundary lines during the race. In these cases, the opponent's foul takes priority over your breakout.

Experienced bracket racers walk a fine line between running as close to their dial-in as possible without going under it. They must account for variables like track temperature, air density, and tire grip that can affect their car's performance throughout the day.

The term "bustout" is used interchangeably with "breakout" in the drag racing community, though breakout is slightly more common. Both terms mean exactly the same thing and refer to this crucial rule that makes bracket racing the strategic, skill-based competition it is today.