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Drag racing is an American institution. It’s the simplest way to determine who has the fastest car in a straight line. A quarter-mile sprint from a standstill, a contest of acceleration, a test of reaction times and driving skills. How quickly and easily can you get off the line? How fast can you shift gears? How high can your engine rev and make power? Who crosses the line first? These are all considerations of drag racing.
If you’re wondering, drag racing isn’t much like what’s portrayed on screen. There’s no shifting through gazillions of gears or laptops flashing up ominous messages warning of “danger to manifold.” Yes, you need to shift gears. Yes, you need to be mindful of your car’s mechanical capabilities (and avoid blowing up your engine, preferably). But drag racing isn’t quite as techy and complicated as it sounds – at least not at the lower rungs of the ladder. So, when did drag racing start? Let us take you through drag racing history.
Evolution Of Drag Racing
The origins of drag racing can be traced back nearly as far as the automobile itself. Undoubtedly, two drivers would have met at a junction and wanted to see who had the fastest car. It’s only a natural progression from two horsemen meeting under similar circumstances. Hence, we don’t have a concrete date and time when drag racing was born. Early drag races definitely took place on the streets. Then, around the 1930s, as cars got more powerful, people took to the dry lake beds of the California and Utah deserts. These relatively firm and flat areas offered an excellent place for those who wished to push their cars to the limit. Around this time, vehicles could reach around 100mph, and drivers were getting bolder too.
Formally recognized drag racing started in the 1940s, shortly after World War II had concluded. America was littered with wartime airfields that would subsequently fall into disuse. Drag racing can be considered one of the main drivers that kept these airfields alive, granting them a second life. That’s because an aircraft runway is perfect for drag racing. It’s got plenty of grip, it’s a straight line, and it’s relatively smooth. It’s also much longer than the traditional quarter-mile drag race benchmark, allowing for plenty of braking distance and run-off in case a competitor cooks their brakes (which happened a lot in those early days).
These early events were exciting. Spectators didn’t have guardrails or fences blocking their view. They crowded up to the edge of the track, soaking in the atmosphere of noise and fumes. They were also directly in the firing line of a car veering off the track. Safety wasn’t exactly a thought in those days. Drivers wore street clothes, but thankfully, they did wear helmets.
With the advent of bodies such as the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA), founded in 1951 by Wally Parks, drag racing became a staple of American auto racing culture. Standards and classifications would be brought in, along with safety improvements. Today, drag racing is one of the most exhilarating forms of racing to watch because of the sheer power being displayed. Critics may turn up their noses at the lack of corners, but the fact remains that drag racing is every bit a test of man and machine as any other kind of racing can be. It’s also immensely popular with corporate America, as you’ll see many recognizable brands backing professional-level drag racing teams.
From Street Races to Organized Events
Hollywood has glamorized street drag racing to a great degree. It’s been portrayed as an exciting, above-the-law, daredevil activity. However, contrary to what the silver screen may show, drag racing or impromptu street racing is firmly illegal in America. You can be arrested, your car can be confiscated, and even crushed. That’s why if you want to engage in drag racing, we firmly recommend doing so via official events. There are drag racing events for nearly any vehicle, so you could even rock up in your daily driver and give it a go.
The Impact Of Drag Racing
Drag racing has probably had the most impact on the American auto-loving public. Today, it’s common to find entire families engaged in the sport. Building a drag car can be a lovely bonding activity between you and your kids. They’ll learn the basics of auto mechanics and can even get behind the wheel since some categories allow teenagers to drag race.
However, the positive vibes only apply to formalized drag racing at dedicated facilities under the proper safety standards, rules, and regulations. Street drag racing, on the other hand, has created a massive negative impact in the broader community. Those affected include neighborhoods awakened by the sounds of souped-up engines at night, regular drivers and motorcycle riders terrorized as cars speed and veer by them, as well as law enforcement, who have to find ways to safely stop illegal street racing without anyone getting hurt. So, the bottom line is, don’t do it on the street.
The good news is, if you want to venture into drag racing, you can do it with your daily driver. And JEGS can help you identify incremental performance improvements that will help you see meaningful performance gains. As you become more adept at drag racing, you can upgrade your vehicle more and more – within reason, of course. Plus, you’ll also appreciate the extra power on the highway – but please use it responsibly.
Building A Dragstrip Demon? Let JEGS Guide You
Interested in drag racing? Want to build a dragstrip demon? Or do you want a bit more straight-line speed from your daily ride? Well, let us help you. Our team at JEGS has decades of experience in providing expert guidance. We’ll recommend the best high-quality performance parts from our inventory that will give you noticeable acceleration and driving pleasure improvements. Plus, we’ll show you how to do things correctly without breaking your car or the bank. We’ve helped countless enthusiasts realize their dream builds over the years. You could be next!
