As with any professional sport, drag racing has a language all its own. Below is a list of common drag racing terms and definitions that you will hear used in and around the drag strip and by television announcers on race day.
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Generally, the replacement parts and high-performance products market. The design and selling of custom parts for automobiles.
A controlled amount of weight, functionally positioned, used to help cars meet class weight requirements.
The meticulous matching to factory specifications all parts and/or components. Hand-fitting parts to the absolute design callout or manufacturer's specifications.
In handicap racing, when the contestant has run quicker than his dial-in, the driver's most consistent qualifying time.
When both cars intentionally hesitate before moving into the "Stage" position at the Christmas Tree, therefore delaying the start of the race. Drivers seek to gain a mental advantage over their opponent through this process by seeking to interrupt the other driver's normal routine.
Spinning of rear wheels at high RPM in water to heat and clean tire rubber prior to a run, resulting in increased traction.
A condition where a cylinder runs lean (too much air in the air-to-fuel mixture) causing sufficient heat to burn a hole through the piston.
A section of the front of a Funny Car body designed to relieve pressure and minimize the effects of a supercharger explosion.
A container used to catch liquid overflow, preventing spillage on the race track. Also known as catch tank.
The frame of the race car.
An electronic starting device incorporating calibrated LED lights displaying a visual countdown for each driver, activated by a designated official.
Also Chrome Molly. Short for Chromium Molybdenum steel. A very strong type of steel tubing used to build the frames for many dragsters.
Short for parachute or dragchute. Used to assist high-speed braking.
Bell housing, the bell-shaped housing used to encase clutch and flywheel.
Carbon dust created by the wearing of the surface of the clutch disks as they slide together during the clutch lockup process.
The progression of clutch disk engagement controlled by an air timer management system.
The staging lanes and race track surface.
Drivers in NHRA sanctioned events must have an NHRA competition license. To obtain a license, sportsman drivers must be at least 16 years old and have a valid state driver's license. Drivers in pro categories must be at least 18 years old or turn 18 during their first season. Sportsman drivers whose cars have an NHRA dial-in or E.T. index of 9.99 seconds or quicker and drivers from the four professional categories must also pass a physical examination and complete six licensing runs.
Result of factoring barometric pressure, humidity, temperature and grains of water per pound of air. Information is used for race car tuning purposes.
A driver is deep staged when, after staging, he or she rolls a few inches farther, which causes the pre-stage light to go out. In that position, the driver is closer to the finish line but dangerously close to a foul start.
In handicap racing, the elapsed time selected by the driver that is usually the car's most consistent qualifying time. Having a car dialed-in generally means the driver or crew is satisfied with the car's performance. Generally, the meticulous adjustment of the machine to the performance goal.
Allows competitors in Stock and Super Stock the option to select a time faster than the national index. Applied in handicap elimination racing where breakout is in effect.
A blanket made from ballistic and absorbent material (often Kevlar) that surrounds the oil pan and serves as a containment device during engine explosions.
In brakes, the rotor, the part which revolves, and against which brake linings are pressed to provide breaking.
In an engine, the total volume of air/fuel mixture an engine is theoretically capable of drawing into all cylinders during one operating cycle.
Vertical aerodynamic pressure which aids a race car in achieving traction.
Generally, protective clothing made of fire-resistant material.
A cylinder becomes too rich (too much fuel in the air-to-fuel mixture), which prevents the spark plug(s) from firing.
A stationary device that measures an engine's torque to determine horsepower.
Elapsed time. The total time it takes to go from starting line to finish line.
When cars are raced two at a time, resulting in one winner and one loser. Winner continues to race in tournament-style competition.
Slang term for fire extinguisher. Mounted in various positions on the different categories of race cars, these bottles contain fire retardant and are activated by the driver when fire is present.
A device to encompass the air inlet of a carburetor's sides, top and rear. Protects driver in case of engine backfire.
When a car leaves the starting line before the green-light starting signal.
A tech station used to inspect fuels to ensure content is within limits allowed for that particular class. Analysis of fuel.
A system replacing conventional carburetion which delivers fuel under pressure into combustion chamber of air flow prior to entering chamber.
Used in Competition, Super Stock and Stock, for which a handicap starting system is used to equalize competition. The three amber bulbs on the Christmas Tree flash consecutively five-tenths of a second apart, followed five-tenths later by the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a full Tree is .000.
Toothed or splined driver belt used with matching pulley, generally a non-slip drive belt.
Special freon fire extinguisher. Generally a 3-to-5 percent concentration will extinguish fire.
Safety device positioned on a driver's shoulders that connects to the back of his or her helmet to limit movement of the head and neck during a crash.
Fine-tuned exhaust system routing exhaust from the engine. Replaces conventional exhaust manifolds.
Generally an engine with a combustion chamber resembling a hemisphere or round ball, cut in half.
Starting line advantage achieved by the quicker-reacting driver.
Numeric value given to the amount of power produced by an engine.
An open or exposed drive shaft assembly. The type of rear suspension in which the springs absorb the rear-end torque.
When a cylinder fills with too much fuel, prohibiting compression by the cylinder, causing a mechanical malfunction.
Elapsed time assigned by NHRA to allow various classes to race together with an equitable handicap stating system.
Cylinders in a single row, valve stems in a single row.
Part of a secondary timing system that records elapsed times, primarily for the racers' benefit, at 60, 330, 660, and 1,000 feet.
Trade name of General Electric used for a durable thermalresistant plastic material used where transparent material is required (i.e., face plates, goggles, windows, etc.).
Locks the front brakes to allow the car to do a burnout, as well as remain still on the starting line prior to the launch of a run.
The process of using a special electro magnet and magnetic powder to detect cracks in iron that may be invisible to the naked eye.
Pure methyl alcohol (toxic) produced by synthesis for use in Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars.
The lowest allowed weight for the vehicle in a particular class.
National Hot Rod Association. The organization that governs and makes rules for drag racing.
Produced specifically as a fuel for drag racing. It is the result of a chemical reaction between nitric acid and propane.
Trade name of DuPont, a fire-resistant fabric used in the manufacture of protective clothing.
Overhead cam.
Electronic recording device that provides specific performance data following a run. The data recorder can not be used to control race car functions during a run.
The four operations of intake, compression, power and exhaust (4-cycle engine). Named for inventor Dr. Nikolaus Otto.
When a driver lifts off the throttle, then gets back on it again, in an attempt to regain traction with the rear tires.
A spring-loaded device which pulls the braking chute from its pack.
The opening in an engine where the valve operates and through which the air-fuel mixture or exhaust passes.
When a driver is approximately seven inches behind the stating line and the small yellow light atop his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated.
A complaint filed against a competitor, investigated by officials.
Used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Motorcycle, Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street, which feature heads-up competition. All three amber lights on the Christmas Tree flash simultaneously, followed four-tenths of a second later by the green starting light. A perfect reaction time on a Pro Tree is .000.
Revolutions per minute.
The time it takes a driver to react to the green starting light on the Christmas Tree, measured in thousandths of a second. The reaction-time counter begins when the last amber light flashes on the tree and stops when the vehicle clears the staged beam.
Reinforced steel compartment that encloses the driver in the car.
The measurement of one complete revolution of a tire, measured in inches. Rollout equals 3.14 times diameter.
A nine-member emergency response team who respond to on-track emergencies during NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series events. Their responsibilities during the race include cleaning spilled oil, sweeping fragmented engine parts or vacuuming water from the drag strip, scraping hot rubber off the starting line and pulling drivers from burning race cars.
The process of loading the clutch pack to allow the clutch discs and floaters to properly align with each other before a run.
Used to weigh cars to assure that they meet class weight requirements. Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars are weighed randomly. All other categories are weighed after each qualifying pass.
In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, a light is activated on the dash when it is necessary for the driver to shift gears.
An upper-torso restraint device.
The portion of the track after the finish line that drivers use to slow their machines following a run.
The time it takes a vehicle to cover the first 60 feet of the racetrack. It is the most accurate measure of the launch from the starting line, which in most cases determines how quick the rest of the run will be.
A multi-disc clutch designed to slip until a predetermined R.P.M. is reached. Decreases shock load to the drive wheels.
Snell Memorial Foundation. A foundation generally known for its helmet specifications.
The final 66 feet of the track before the finish line, where top speed is recorded.
Aerodynamic device attached directly to the vehicle body (usually to the rear deck lid) such that airflow passes only over the top of the device. Used to create downforce, aiding in traction and stability.
A one-piece ring gear carrier providing equal rotational drive to both rear axles.
A driver is staged when the front wheels of the car are on the starting line and the small yellow light below the pre-staged light on his or her side of the Christmas Tree is illuminated. Once a driver is staged, the calibrated countdown of the amber lights leading to the green stating light may begin at any time.
Area of race facility which leads to the racing surface, where cars are lined up and/or paired before making a run.
Generally a manual transmission requiring a clutch and manual gear changes.
As originally produced by original equipment manufacturer.
Equipment generally required by law or needed for legal street operation: license plates, windshield wipers, horns, lights, etc.
Used in construction of unibody vehicles when a full front-to-rear frame is not used.
Crank-driven air/fuel-mixture compressor (blower). Raises atmospheric pressure in the engine resulting in added horsepower.
Physical inspection by NHRA staff to ensure that cars meet class specifications. Teardowns are done on a random basis during eliminations; usually after a run.
Maximum or top speed at the finish line.
A device that limits RPM's during a burnout or a run.
The distance between the pedal being at idle to being at full throttle. The shorter the throttle travel the quicker a car can get to full speed.
A device to control rear-end torque and stabilize suspension. Transmits torque to frame, increasing traction.
A flexible wrap intended to contain parts in case of transmission disintegration.
Exhaust-driven intake air compressor (turbo). See Supercharger.
An engine with a combustion chamber resembling a wedge in shape. Need not have intake and exhaust valve stems parallel.
In drag racing, weight transfer is critical to traction. Vehicles are set up to provide a desired weight transfer to the rear wheels. When the vehicle accelerates, the front wheels lift and the weight shifts to the rear wheels, making the tires less likely to spin.
Used to prevent excessive front-wheel lift.
Stationary device used to study a race car's aerodynamics.
An aerodynamic device mounted such that air flow passes over and under the device. Used to create downforce, aiding in traction and stability. Also known as an airfoil.