Deep Stage

Deep Stage is a drag racing technique where a driver positions their vehicle at the starting line by moving forward until the pre-stage light turns off, leaving only the stage light illuminated.

This strategy places the car closer to the finish line before the race begins, potentially improving reaction time at the cost of elapsed time (ET). When a driver deep stages, their vehicle has less "rollout" distance before the timing system activates.

While deep staging can provide a competitive advantage in certain racing classes, it increases the risk of "red-lighting" (leaving before the green light). Some racing events prohibit deep staging, so drivers should always check specific competition rules before using this technique.