Established in 1951 under the guidance of Wally Parks, the National Hot Rod Association is  the premiere sanctioning body of drag racing. It is responsible for setting safety standards   and guidelines for its 35,000 licensed competitors and more than 130 NHRA-member  tracks across North America.

Drag racing provides its audience high-speed action,  ground-pounding sound and
unparalleled excitement. Yet, participation in drag racing is accessible to everyone from seasoned professionals to hobby enthusiasts. A low-cost entry-level   program enables the enthusiastic race fan to easily make the transition from spectator to competitor. Unlike other forms of motorsports, drag racing spectators are encouraged to visit the pit areas and talk with race car drivers and their crews at all events.

NHRA is the largest motorsports sanctioning organization in the world, boasting more than 80,000 members. From sophisticated, drag-racing-only Funny Cars,
to everyday, street- legal station wagons, you are likely to see them all on the drag strip.Because NHRA recognizes that it is unrealistic to expect its tens of   thousands of local racers to travel great distances to chase championship points, it has divided North America into seven geographic regions. Competitors in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series have the opportunity to compete for championships relatively close to home. The NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, headlined by the powerful alcohol-fueled Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, is aimed specifically at local racers and spectators.

Some divisional races draw more than 500 cars. That number, coupled with the thousands of race fans eager to see the first-class racing action, makes the
NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series the largest events of the year at many of the host facilities.

The series consists of 45 events held at local tracks on various weekends during the racing season. There are at least six races in each division with racers
competing in eight categories - Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock,  Stock Eliminator, Super Comp, Super Gas
and Super Street. Competitors are vying for  national and divisional championships and a total series purse of more than $560,000.

For the casual observer, some explanation about the racing categories might be in order:

TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER, TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR -
Theses are the easiest classes to understand. They are the quickest and the fastest classes in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and they run heads-up races. That is, they leave the starting line at the same time and, in general, the first one to the finish line wins. The average Top Alcohol Dragsters and Funny Cars run speeds of about 250 mph in around 5.60 seconds.

COMP ELIMINATOR, SUPER STOCK, STOCK  ELIMINATOR, SUPER COMP, SUPER GAS, SUPER  STREET-
In these classes, racers are competing not only against each other, but also against the clock and themselves. For each of the categories NHRA has established time "indexes" based on the horsepower and weight of the car.

The object is to get as close to your index as possible without going  too quick. For example, if the index is 10.10 seconds, 10.00 seconds is too quick. That's called a "break out" and you lose. You can also lose if the racer in the next lane gets closer to his index than you get to yours.

Indexes are set by NHRA, but in two of the categories, Super Stock  and Stock, a racer may  choose his own index as long as the new number is not slower than NHRA's index. During  qualifying rounds,  racers in these classes try to figure out the best index for the prevailing  track and weather conditions.

Sometimes in these classes, it appears that one driver gets a head-start but it's not a
head-start, really. To make a better race, NHRA has determined a time that each of the classes of cars in Super Stock and Stock should run. For example, a 1978 Chevy truck won't run as quick as a 1965 Mustang but, with the indexes, the truck
 can run competitively against the Mustang.

If the truck's index is 11.50 seconds and the Mustang's is 9.00, the truck would get a green light 2.50 seconds before the Mustang. The driver who gets the closest to his own index, without going too quick, wins. If the Mustang gets to the finish lined in 9.50 seconds and the truck got there in 11.60 seconds, the truck would win because there was only a. 10-second difference between his index and his actual time, and there was a .50-second difference for the Mustang.

In the other four categories, the NHRA's established indexes may not be changed. The index for Comp Eliminator depends on the type of car; the index for Super Comp is 8.90 seconds; Super Gas is 9.90 seconds; and Super Street is 10.10 seconds. Competitors in the Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street classes do not make qualifying runs, but run  time trials in order to become consistent for eliminations. NHRA may adjust the indexes depending on the altitude of the track.
 

2003 NHRA LUCAS OIL DRAG RACING SWISS AWARDS AND BONUSES

NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series Bonus Awards  Featuring 250 mph Top Alcohol Dragsters and Top Alcohol Funny Cars, the NHRA Lucas Oil  Drag Racing Series gives NHRA's 35,000-plus licensed competitors the opportunity to race  for the prestige of a national championship as well as the honor of a divisional
title.

Drivers in Top Alcohol Dragster, Top Alcohol Funny Car, Comp Eliminator, Super Stock, Stock  Eliminator, Super Comp and Super Gas are eligible to compete for national honors and a  share in the $190,000 purse.

In order to allow racers to compete for a championship crown close to  home, NHRA has divided the country into seven geographic regions. The divisional
program allows racers in those seven categories, as well as in Super Street, to compete locally  for championship bonuses totaling $371,000.

                National Championship Awards Bonuses
                Category               Winner         Runner-up
                Top Alcohol Dragster       $37,500         $15,000
                Top Alcohol Funny Car     $37,500         $15,000
                Comp Eliminator          $15,000         $5,000
                Super Stock              $15,000         $5,000
                Stock Eliminator          $10,000         $5,000
                Super Comp              $10,000         $5,000
                Super Gas               $10,000         $5,000
            Totals:                   $135,000        $55,000

            Total national championship award bonus: $190,000
               Division Championship Awards Bonuses ($53,000 per division)

               Category                Winner          Runner-up      Third Place
               Top Alcohol Dragster       $8,500          $4,000          $2,500
               Top Alcohol Funny Car     $8,500          $4,000          $2,500
               Comp Eliminator          $3,000          $1,000          $500
               Super Stock              $2,000          $1,000          $500
               Stock Eliminator          $2,000          $1,000          $500
               Super Comp              $2,000          $1,000          $500
               Super Gas               $2,000          $1,000          $500
               Super Street             $2,000          $1,000          $500
            Totals:                   $31,000         $14,000         $8,000

               Total divisional championship award bonus: $371,000

             Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award
                Sponsored by Federal-Mogul's Sealed Power brand, this $215,500
              overall bonus fund rewards the low qualifiers at each of the 45 NHRA 
               Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series events and 23 NHRA national events.
               The best performers in each of the five qualifying classes earn a share
               of the $3,500 offered at each event.

             Sealed Power Low Qualifier Awards
                (paid at all 23 NHRA national events and all 45 NHRA divisional
              events)

                Top Alcohol Dragster*      $1,250                      _
                Top Alcohol Funny Car*     $1,250 
                Comp Eliminator         $400 
                Super Stock            $400 
                Stock Eliminator           $200
                Total (per event):           $3,500
             Total Sealed Power Low Qualifier Award Payout: $215,500
              *Compete at 16 national events and 43 divisional events.

             JEG'S Allstars

                The best of the best from each of NHRA's seven divisions will
              compete for a part of the $100,000 point fund from Jeg's High
              Performance. The 2003 Jeg's Allstars event will culminate a year-long 
              points battle between drivers in each of NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag
              Racing Series' eight classes. The top points earner in each category will
              qualify to represent his/her division at the 2003 Jeg's Allstars, held in 
              conjunction with the NHRA national event in Met, III., Sept. 26-29,
              2003. Points are based on in-division races only.

                The winning division's team will share $20,000 and individual awards
              include $7,000 each to the Top Alcohol Dragster and Top Alcohol 
             Funny Car champions, $6,000 to champions in Comp Eliminator and 
             Super Stock, and $4,500 to the Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas, and 
             Super Street champions. Each Allstars competitor will also receive a 
             share of a $20,000 towing fund to get to the event.

              JEG'S Allstars Awards Bonuses

                 Category                Winner         Runner-up 
                 Top Alcohol Dragster      $7,000          $2,000 
                 Top Alcohol Funny Car      $7,000          $2,000 
                 Comp Eliminator         $6,000         $2,000 
                 Super Stock              $6,000          $2,000
                 Stock Eliminator           $4,500          $2,000
                 Super Comp             $4,500         $2,000
                 Super Gas               $4,500          $2,000
                 Totals:                    $44,000         $16,000
              Team Championship (shared equally among all team members):
              $20,000
                 Tow Money (share based on each racer's percentage of total miles):
              $20,000
              Total Jeg's Allstars award bonus: $100,00

             The NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series, run in conjunction with the
              NHRA's Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series,  is an opportunity for
              competitors in NHRA's Sportsman
                Motorcycle class to earn points toward divisional championships. The
              $7,400 champions' purse posted by Kerker will be paid to 1st, 2nd and
               3rd place points finishers in NHRA divisions that host Sportsman 
               Motorcycles.

             2003 NHRA Kerker Motorcycle Series
           Division Champions' Purse

                              winner     Runner-up    Third Place      Totals
                South Central Division    $1,100        $500          $250         $1850
                West Central Division    $1,100        $500          $250          $1850
                Northwest Division      $1,100        $500         $250         $1850
                Pacific Division         $1,100        $500         $250         $1850
                Totals                 $4,400        $2,000        $1,000        $7,400

             NHRA KERKER KING OF THE COAST
                 The top four riders from each division in the NHRA  Kerker
              Motorcycle Series will be invited to compete in the NHRA Kerker
              King of the Coast competition.

                In 2003, the all-star invitational will be run during the NHRA Lucas
              Oil Drag Racing Series event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in
              November. The rider who is crowned the Kerker King of the Coast will 
              earn $1,000. The runner-up in the 16-bike field will receive $500.

             NHRA PERFECTLY STRANGE
           PERFORMANCE AWARD

                The NHRA Perfectly Strange Performance Award is a $52,000
              bonus program for NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series competitors in 
              Super Stock, Stock, Super Comp, Super Gas and Super Street. The
              first driver in each class to win a round of eliminations at a national
              event by running exactly on his index or dial-in receives $250 and a
              special edition NHRA Perfectly Strange Performance Award hat. The
              money is doubled to $500 if the driver uses specified Strange Engineering
              products. If the bonus is not awarded during  an event, the money will 
              accumulate until the final race of the season.

                On the divisional level, all racers in those five classes who run on their
              index or dial-in during a round of eliminations will receive a special edition
             NHRA Perfectly Strange Performance Award hat.
 

              CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

              TOP ALCOHOL DRAGSTER - 

              Formerly known as Federal-Mogul Dragster, these machines are
              among the fastest accelerating vehicles in the world. They are the
              most recognizable of all drag race cars. The 25-foot long landlocked
              missiles are capable of covering the quarter-mile in less than 5.5
              seconds at speeds in excess of 270 mph. They compete based on a
              weight-to-cubic-inch formula,  and non-supercharged nitro-burning 
              entries are permitted. Engines are limited to between 421- and
              528-cid, depending on type, and produce an estimated 3,000
              horsepower.

            TOP ALCOHOL FUNNY CAR -
               These cars, formerly known as Federal-Mogul Funny Cars, bear
               little resemblance to the production vehicles on which they are
              based. Shrouded in carbon-fiber composite bodies that loosely resemble
              their showroom counterparts, they compete on a weight-to-cubic-inch 
              formula, and engines are limited to a maximum of 565-cid. They must 
              weigh at least 2,000 pounds and have a wheelbase from 100 to 125
              inches.  Performance marks approach the mid-five-second range at more
              than 260 mph.

            COMPETITION (COMP) ELIMINATOR 
              This category 61 classes showcasing a variety of gas-burning
              dragsters, altereds, pro-modified and supercharged gas coupes and
              sedans powered by engines ranging from tiny four cylinder screamers to
              powerful V-8's. Some are supercharged, other turbocharged, but most 
              are carbureted. This very popular sportsman category uses a handicap 
              starting system to equalize the racing.

            SUPER STOCK - 
              This category is one of NHRA's most competitive categories. It
              features stock- appearing foreign and domestic factory-produced cars 
              and trucks  with limited modifications allowed.  Eighty-three classes for 
              both manual and automatic transmission entries are provided for under
              the rules. Older engine/drivetrain combinations are allowed in newer
              models as long as the same combination is used in matching the vehicle 
              manufacturer with the engine/drivetrain setup. Handicap starts are used to
              equalize competition.

            STOCK ELIMINATOR -
              This category is encompasses a variety of foreign and domestic
              production vehicles. Everything from late-model passenger cars and 
              trucks to the popular vehicles of the 1960's and 1970's can participate in
              any one of Stack's 60 classes. Very few modifications or alterations are 
              allowed. It is a popular entry level into drag racing, and it uses a handicap
           starting system.

            SUPER COMP -
              This one-class category is the quickest of NHRA's three Super
              classes. Made up mostly of gas-burning dragsters, though roadsters and 
              full-bodied production cars are eligible, Super  Comp features heads-up 
              competition on a 8.90-second index with heads-up, pro starts. A 
              minimum vehicle weight of 1,350 pounds with driver (except four and
              six-cylinder cars, 1,000 pounds) is required.

            SUPER GAS -
               Featured in this category are mostly full-bodied cars with fenders,
              hoods, grilles, windshields, tops, and functional doors. Left-hand steering
              street roadsters are eligible, but dragsters are not. The class is governed 
              by the same rules as Super Comp; only the index is quicker. This
              category runs on a pro, heads-up start with a 9.90-second index.

            SUPER STREET- 
              Designed as an entry-level category, Super Street is not contested at
              all national events. It is reserved for full-bodied production vehicles,
              including  sports cars, vans, and panel trucks with full fenders, hood, 
              grille, top, windshield and functional doors. As in Super Comp and
              Super Gas, racers leave the starting line together; they compete on a
              10.90-second index.

                                    GLOSSARY OF TERMS

            Air box: 

Used primarily on Pro Stock Bikes, it settles "negative air" around carburetors the way a hood scoop does on a car.

            Air foil: 

The same as a wing - a stabilizer, generally used to create down-force, which increases stability and tire-to-track adherence at high speeds.

            Bang the blower: 

An explosion inside the supercharger caused by a flame from the combustion process accidentally re-entering the supercharger, where fuel and air are
present. Generally caused by a stuck or broken intake valve that normally would be closed during the combustion sequence.

               Breakout: 

Used only in handicap racing, "breakout" refers to a  contestant running quicker than he or she  "dialed" his or her vehicle (predicted how quick it would run). Unless  the opponent commits a more  serious foul (e.g., red lights, crosses the centerline, or fails a post-race  inspection), the driver who breaks out loses. If both drivers break out, the one who runs closest to his or  her dial is the winner.

               Burnout: 

Spinning the rear tires in water to heat and clean them before a run for better traction. A burnout precedes every run.

            Christmas Tree: 

Also called the Tree, it is the noticeable electronic starting device between the lanes on  the starting line. It displays a calibrated-light countdown for each  driver.

            Deep stage:

To roll a few inches farther into the beams after staging, which causes the pre-stage lights to go out. In that position, a driver is closer to the finish line but dangerously close to a foul start.

            Dial-under: 

When drivers in Super Stock and Stock (handicap categories) select and elapsed time quicker than the national index. Drivers select a dial-under, or e.t., that they think their cars will run based on previous performance. The breakout rule is in effect.

               Diaper: 

An absorbent blanket made from ballistic material, often Kevlar, that surrounds the oil pan to contain oil and parts in case of an engine explosion; required for Top Fuel, Funny Car, Federal-Mogul  Dragster, and Federal-Mogul Funny Car.  Dropped cylinder: When a cylinder runs too rich (too much fuel in the  air/fuel mixture) and prevents the  spark plug(s) from firing.
 

            Elapsed time: 

The time it takes a vehicle to travel from the starting line to the finish line. Also called e.t.
 

               Eliminations: 

After qualifying, vehicles race two at a time, resulting in one winner from each pair. Winners continue in tournament-style competition until one remains.
 

            Foul start:

Indicated by a red light on the Christmas Tree when a car  has left the starting line before the green light, or starting signal.
 

               Full Tree:

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 .500.

            Header(s): 

A fine-tuned exhaust system that routes exhaust from the engine; replaces conventional exhaust manifolds.

               Hemi: 

A Hemi engine has a hemispherical shaped cylinder-head combustion chamber, like a ball cut in half.
 

            Hole shot: 

When a driver reacts quicker to the Christmas Tree to win  a race against an opponent with a quicker e.t.

            Hydraulic: 

When a cylinder fills with too much fuel, thus prohibiting compression by the cylinder and causing a mechanical malfunction, usually an explosive one.
 

            Index:

The expected performance for vehicles in a class as assigned by NHRA. It allows various classes of cars in the same category to race together competitively.
 

               Interval timers: 

Part of a secondary timing system that records elapsed  times, primarily for the racer'  benefit, at 60, 330, 660, and 1, 000 feet.
 

            Methanol: 

Pure methyl alcohol produced by synthesis; used in  Federal-Mogul Dragsters and Federal-Mogul Funny Cars.

            Nitromethane: 

Produced specifically as a fuel for drag racing, it is the  result of a chemical reaction  between nitric acid and propane.
 

               Pre-stage: 

To position the front wheels about seven inches behind the starting line so the small yellow lights atop that driver's side of the Christmas Tree are glowing. The  next step is to stage and be ready to  race.
 

            Pro Tree: 

Used in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock, Pro Stock Truck, Pro Stock Bike, Federal-Mogul Dragster, Federal-Mogul Funny Car, Super Comp, Super Gas, and Super Street, which feature heads-up competition.  All three large 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 .400.
 

            Reaction time: 

The time it takes a driver to react to the green 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 stage beam.
 

            Sixty-foot time: 

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 and in most cases determines how quick the rest of the run will be.
 

            Slider clutch: 

A multi-disc clutch designed to slip until a predetermined  rpm is reached; decreases shock load to the drive wheels.
 

              Speed trap: 

The final 66 feet to the finish line where speed is recorded.
 

              Stage: 

To position the front wheels right on the starting line so the small yellow lights below the pre-stage  light are glowing. Once both drivers are staged, the calibrated
countdown (see Christmas Tree) may begin.
 

            Supercharger: 

A crank-driven air/fuel-mixture compressor also called a blower. It increases atmospheric pressure in the engine to produce more horsepower.
 

            Turbocharger: 

An exhaust-driven intake air compressor (see supercharger).
 

            Wedge: 

An engine with a combustion chamber resembling a wedge in shape.
 

            Weight transfer: 

Critical to traction. Vehicles are set up to provide a desired weight transfer to the rear wheels. Upon acceleration, the front wheels lift and the weight shifts to  the rear wheels, which makes them less likely to spin.

            Wheelie bars: 

Put on the back of a vehicle to prevent excessive front-wheel lift.