First or Worse

First or Worse is a drag racing rule used to determine the winner when both drivers commit fouls during the same race, with the victory going to the driver who either committed their foul second or committed the less severe foul.

In drag racing, competitors race side-by-side down a straight track, and strict rules govern everything from starting procedures to staying in your designated lane. When a driver breaks one of these rules, they commit a foul. Normally, if only one driver fouls, they automatically lose the race. However, things get complicated when both drivers make mistakes during the same run.

The First or Worse rule solves this problem by establishing a clear hierarchy. The "first" part means that if both drivers commit the same type of foul, whoever committed it first loses the race. For example, if both drivers leave the starting line too early (called a red light or foul start), officials will review the timing system to see who left first, even if the difference is just thousandths of a second.

The "worse" part comes into play when drivers commit different types of fouls. Drag racing considers some rule violations more serious than others. A lane violation, where a driver crosses the center line into their opponent's lane, is typically considered worse than leaving early. Similarly, in bracket racing (a popular form where drivers predict their finishing time), running faster than your predicted time, called breaking out, is considered a serious foul.

The severity hierarchy generally ranks fouls from most to least serious. Refusing a post-race technical inspection is considered the worst possible foul because it suggests a driver might be cheating. Lane violations come next because they create safety hazards. Breaking out in bracket racing and false starts are typically considered less severe, though still serious enough to lose a race.

Officials use sophisticated timing equipment and often review video footage to apply the First or Worse rule correctly. Modern drag strips have cameras positioned to capture both lanes and the starting line, making it easier to determine exactly when each foul occurred and what type of violation happened.

This rule ensures fairness and maintains clear standards in competitive drag racing. Without it, races where both drivers fouled would require subjective judgment calls or might end in disputes. Instead, the First or Worse principle provides an objective framework that racers understand and accept before they compete.

Understanding this rule helps spectators appreciate the precision required in drag racing, where races often finish in less than four seconds and winning margins can be measured in thousandths of a second. Every action matters, and even when both competitors make mistakes, there's still a clear and fair way to determine the outcome.