Welcome to the electrifying world of drag racing, a high-speed adventure where power, precision, and passion meet on the asphalt.

Whether you're a seasoned fan or new to the roar of the engines, this page is your gateway to understanding the heart-pounding excitement of drag racing.

Let's break it down, shall we?

What is Drag Racing?

Imagine two powerful vehicles side by side, ready to unleash their fury on a straight track. That's drag racing in a nutshell—an intense acceleration contest over a fixed distance, typically a quarter-mile. It's not just about speed; it's about strategy, timing, and nerve.

How it works

  • There's this cool setup called a Christmas Tree, lights that tell the drivers when to go.

    At the top, there are two sets of small blue lights.

    The first set tells the driver they're getting close to the start line, and the second set means they're right on it and ready to race.

  • After both cars are ready, they watch for three big amber lights and a green one.

    If they see the green light, it means "Go!"

    But, if a driver jumps the gun and takes off before the green light, they'll see a red light, which means they've started too soon and are out of that round.

  • From the moment the cars zoom past the starting line to when they cross the finish line, everything is timed to see how fast they went.

    There's also a special spot at the end of the race that checks how fast the cars are going right as they finish.

  • The first car to reach the end wins, unless they go too fast compared to what they were expected to do, which can disqualify them.

    Also, if a car leaves too early, goes out of their lane, doesn't get ready properly at the start, or doesn't pass a check-up after the race, they might be disqualified.

The Full Experience.

Drag racing is an all-day event filled with excitement, preparation, and celebration.

 Race Weekend Format

  • Qualifying Round 1 (Q1): The day usually begins with the first qualifying session. This session allows teams and drivers to familiarize themselves with the track, test car setups, and gather data.

    Qualifying Round 2 (Q2): The second qualifying session occurs in the afternoon. Teams continue to fine-tune their cars and assess performance conditions.

  • Qualifying Round 3 (Q3): This qualifying session is held on Saturday morning. It’s focus is on refining their setups and making last-minute adjustments.

    Qualifying Round 4 (Q4): The final qualifying session occurs in the afternoon. Drivers compete to set the quickest E.T. (elapsed time) and speed in a knockout-style format (Q1, Q2, and Q3). The results determine the lineup for the race on Sunday.

    Only 16 racers can qualify for the race on Sunday.

  • Race Day: On this day, racers go head-to-head in a knockout format. Success in each duel is determined by a simple yet thrilling criterion: the driver who either crosses the finish line first or records the fastest elapsed time (E.T.) wins the matchup and advances to the subsequent round. This format ensures an exhilarating progression of races, each building in intensity as competitors edge closer to the final showdown.

The Pits

The pit area is where you'll see teams and machines up close, tweaking and tuning for the perfect run.

It's a rare chance to see the ingenuity and dedication that powers each race.

Discover the Divisions

Drag racing is a sport of diversity and depth, featuring a wide range of classes that cater to different vehicles, technologies, and racing philosophies.

Top Fuel

Top Fuel dragsters are the epitome of speed in drag racing, capable of covering the strip in less than 3.7 seconds at over 330 mph. These machines are powered by supercharged and fuel-injected engines, burning nitromethane to achieve incredible acceleration.

Funny Car

Funny Cars offer a unique blend of power and spectacle, with bodies that resemble production cars but hide a chassis and engine capable of extreme performance. Expect runs in the 3.8-second range at speeds exceeding 330 mph.

Pro Stock

Known as "factory hot rods" for their resemblance to production vehicles, Pro Stock cars are marvels of technology and engineering, running in the 6.5-second range at more than 210 mph. These cars must adhere to strict specifications, making the class a test of driver skill and mechanical precision.

Pro Stock Motorcycle

This class features highly modified motorcycles capable of running under 6.8 seconds at speeds over 195 mph. The variety of makes and models, including V-Twins and inline four-cylinders, adds to the competition's diversity.

Top Alcohol

Divided into Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars, this category serves as a bridge for drivers aiming for the professional classes. These vehicles run on methanol and are capable of 5-second passes at speeds approaching 280 mph.

Sportsman Classes

The Sportsman categories, including Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street, offer a place for racers of all levels. These classes focus on the skill of "dialing in" a predicted time and racing against the clock as much as the opponent.

Specialty Classes

From the high-horsepower challenges of Comp and Super Stock to the heads-up battles of Top Dragster and Top Sportsman, the specialty classes provide a place for nearly any vehicle. Each class has its unique appeal, from the technical challenge of balancing power and control to the excitement of heads-up racing.

Jr.Dragracing

This unique category of drag racing allows young enthusiasts, aged 5 to 17, to experience the thrill of the race in a safe and controlled environment. Jr. Dragsters are half-scale versions of the top fuel dragsters you see thundering down the track at professional NHRA events. Despite their smaller size, these machines pack a punch and are designed with the same attention to detail and safety as their full-sized counterparts.

Feel the speed thrill with over 20 races throughout the US.

 FAQs

  • NHRA Drag Racing is a form of motor racing where two competitors race side-by-side from a standing start over a straight, measured distance. It tests acceleration and speed, with categories ranging from professional to amateur.

  • The standard length for NHRA drag races is a quarter-mile (1,320 feet). However, for Top Fuel and Funny Car categories, races are contested over 1,000 feet.

  • The professional categories include Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycle. There are also numerous amateur classes in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.

  • Races begin with a starting device known as a "Christmas Tree," which consists of a series of lights for each lane. The lights indicate the start of the race and measure reaction times.

  • A burnout is performed before a race where a driver spins the tires in water near the starting line to heat and clean them, improving traction for the start of the race.

  • Tickets can be purchased through the NHRA's official website, at the venue on race day, or by phone. Events are held nationwide, so you can check the schedule and choose one near you.

  • Yes, one unique aspect of NHRA events is the open access to pit areas where fans can meet drivers, see the cars up close, and watch teams prepare for races.

  • Points are awarded based on qualifying positions, wins, and advancement in elimination rounds during each event. The system rewards performance across the entire weekend, from qualifying to final eliminations.

  • NHRA has stringent safety standards, including vehicle inspections, mandatory safety equipment for drivers, and track safety features. These measures have made drag racing a much safer sport over the years.

  • Interested racers can start with amateur and street-legal categories offered by the NHRA, such as the NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal Program. These provide a structured, safe environment for new racers to compete.