Drag

Drag racing is a form of motorsport where two vehicles race side-by-side in a straight line from a standing start to see who can cross the finish line first over a short, precisely measured distance.

The races take place on a special track called a drag strip, which is a straight, flat piece of pavement designed specifically for this type of racing. The most common distance is a quarter-mile (1,320 feet), though you'll also see races at 1,000 feet or an eighth-mile. Think of it like a sprint race for cars instead of runners—it's all about explosive acceleration and raw speed over a short distance.

Before the race starts, drivers perform what's called a "burnout." This isn't just for show—spinning the tires creates heat and makes the rubber stickier, which helps the vehicle grip the track better when the race begins. After the burnout, both vehicles pull up to the starting line and wait for the signal to go.

The starting system uses an electronic device nicknamed the "Christmas tree" because of its vertical arrangement of colored lights. It displays a sequence of yellow lights counting down, followed by a green light that means "go." If a driver leaves too early and triggers the red light, they're automatically disqualified for a false start, no matter how fast they finish.

Drag racing measures three main things: reaction time (how quickly you respond to the green light), elapsed time (how long it takes to reach the finish line), and top speed (how fast you're going when you cross). The winner is determined by who crosses the finish line first, not necessarily who has the highest speed.

Many drag racing events use an elimination tournament format. Winners advance to face other winners, while losers go home, until only one champion remains. This bracket-style competition can make for exciting matchups throughout the day.

You'll find an incredible variety of vehicles in drag racing, from street-legal cars with minor modifications to purpose-built machines called dragsters that exist only for racing. Top Fuel dragsters are the fastest, reaching speeds over 330 mph and covering 1,000 feet in less than four seconds. These specialized vehicles produce thousands of horsepower and require parachutes to slow down after crossing the finish line.

Bracket racing is a popular format that lets vehicles of different speeds compete fairly. The slower car gets a head start based on how much faster its opponent is expected to be. This means a family sedan could theoretically beat a high-powered sports car if the sedan's driver has better reaction time and consistency.

The physics of drag racing centers on maximizing traction and power. Drivers need enough grip to transfer all their engine's power to the pavement without spinning the tires uselessly. Too much power too quickly can even cause the front wheels to lift off the ground in a wheelie, which looks dramatic but actually slows you down.