In basic terms, a Drag Race is an acceleration contest from a standing start between two vehicles over a measured distance at a specifically designed Drag Race facility.

The accepted standard for that distance is either a Quarter-Mile or an Eighth-Mile. In HO scale, a Quarter-Mile is recognized as 20.75 feet. Typical Track voltages may vary (from 18-26 VDC) and available amperage should really be at least 8 AMPS per lane.

Drag contests are started by means of an electronic device commonly called a "Christmas Tree." Upon leaving the starting line, each contestant activates a timer which is, in turn, stopped when the same vehicle reaches the finish line. That Start-to-Finish clocking is the vehicle's E.T. (elapsed time), which serves to measure performance and often serves to determine handicaps during competition.

By far the most popular form of Drag Racing is a handicapped form of competition known as "E.T. Bracket Racing" or just "Bracket Racing". In this form of Racing, two vehicles of varying performance potentials can race on a potentially even basis. The anticipated elapsed times for each vehicle are compared, with the slower car receiving a head start equal to the difference of the two. With this system, virtually any two vehicles can be paired in a competitive drag race. You heard right! With this type of Racing, a T-jet can still beat a Fully Modified NEO Patriot - believe it!

An example:
Let's say Car A has been timed a 1.78, 1.74, and 1.76 seconds for the quarter-mile, and the driver feels that a "dial-in" of 1.75 is appropriate.

Meanwhile, the driver of Car B has recorded elapsed times of 1.27, 1.22 and 1.26 on the same track and he has opted for a "dial-in" average of 1.25.

Based on these "dialed-in'" times, Car A will get a .5-second head-start over Car B when the "Christmas Tree" counts down to each car's starting green lights.

If both vehicles cover the Quarter-Mile in exactly the predetermined elapsed time, the win will go to the driver who reacts quickest to the starting signal. That reaction to the starting signal is called "Reaction Time." Both lanes are timed independently of one another, and the clock does not start until the vehicle actually moves. Because of this, a vehicle may sometimes appear to have a mathematical advantage in comparative elapsed times but actually lose the race. This fact makes starting line reflexes extremely important in Drag Racing! Assuming both cars consistently run their "Dialed-In" times every run, the Race is now won or lost based on the driver's reaction times! This is where 'coming off the line' can make or break the race. The "Dial-In" time is where each car chooses a dial-in time before the race, predicting the elapsed time the driver estimates it will take his or her car to cross the finish line. This is usually displayed on one or more windows so the starter can adjust the "christmas tree" starting lights accordingly. The slower car in the race is given the green light before the faster car by a margin of the difference between their two dial-in times

In principle, if both drivers have equal reaction times and their cars run exactly their posted dial-ins, both cars should cross the finish line at precisely the same time. In reality, this is an extremely rare occurrence. Measuring devices both at the start and at the end of the track post times down to 1/1000 of a second (0.001s precision), which makes tied races almost impossible.

Used only in handicap racing, "breakout" refers to a race car running quicker than the driver has predicted. The driver's prediction is called the dial-in and is posted on the race car. The driver who breaks out loses the race unless his or her opponent has committed a more serious foul, such as a red-light or crossing the centerline of the drag strip.

Spinning the rear tires in water to heat and clean them before a run for better traction. In most classes, a burnout precedes every run down the drag strip.

The noticeable electronic starting device between the lanes on the starting line. It displays a calibrated-light countdown for each driver.

The time it takes a drag-race vehicle to travel from the starting line to the finish line.

Pure methyl alcohol used as fuel in Top Alcohol Dragsters, Top Alcohol Funny Cars, and even some Jr. Dragsters.

Made specifically as a fuel for drag racing, it is the result of a chemical reaction between nitric acid and propane. Top Fuel dragsters and Funny Cars use nitro methane.

When injected into an engine under pressure, nitrous oxide gives the engine a sudden boost in power by introducing more oxygen into the fuel mixture. Nitrous oxide is not allowed in any NHRA category except Pro Mod (exhibition) and some E.T. bracket classes.

The time it takes a driver to react to the green starting light on the Christmas Tree, measured in thousandths of a second. A perfect reaction time is .000.

When a race car leaves the starting line too soon — before the green light, or "go" signal — it activates the red light on the Christmas Tree and the driver has automatically lost the race.

• Las Vegas Motor Speedway Ticket Office (located in the Ticket/Gift Shop building off Speedway Boulevard)
• Call 1-800-644-4444
• Online at Ticketmaster
• Additionally, select satellite ticket offices will be open on race days.

If you have purchased tickets in advance but did not have them mailed, you may pick them up at the LVMS ticket office until the day of the event. The Drag Strip Will Call window is located at the main entrance of the Drag Strip, adjacent to the Drag Strip Ticket Office. 

Drag Strip credentials can be picked up at the Credential Office located directly behind the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Administration Building and Gift Shop. 

There is free parking surrounding the entire Speedway for your convenience. Check the Maps tab under the Fan Info tab. 

Las Vegas Motor Speedway seeks to provide reasonable accommodations for all qualified individuals with disabilities including special seating, tram services, and parking. Please contact the speedway ticket office at 800-644-4444 for more information.

There are several ATMs located throughout the facility. 

No coolers are permitted in the grandstand seating area at LVMS. Fans are allowed to bring one non-alcoholic beverage weighing 20 ounces or less into the gates. No outside alcoholic or glass beverages may be brought into the gates at LVMS.

A variety of foods such as nachos, hamburgers and hot dogs, can be found at concession stands located around the speedway. A number of independent vendors including pizza and barbecue are available on event weekends only. Coffee, soda, beer and water also are available. Specialty concessions are available in the Neon Garage.

Official Las Vegas Motor Speedway souvenirs, as well as the Nitro Mall, can be found at the speedway during event time. The Speedway World Gift Shop is open year round on the first floor of the administration building.

Yes. Please visit our Camping section for more details. Each camping area is staffed with 24-hour security and is either located near a shower house or has shuttles running daily to our restroom/shower facilities. You can also call 702-632-8289 to reserve a spot

In the case of emergencies, Las Vegas Motor Speedway provides a Fan Assistance Hotline. Call (702) 632-8006 or text Vegas Location & Details to 69050.

Mobile medical teams patrol the speedway grounds. If in need of medical assistance, contact a speedway representative and give them the location (i.e., seat number and section) of the person in need of medical attention.

Yes, contact a speedway security representative and they will direct you to the lost and found, which is located near the administration building. After an event all lost and found items are transferred to the reception desk in the LVMS administration building.

Please visit the Map tab in the Fan Info section for more information on arriving at the facility and departing following the race. 

• Alcoholic beverages (not permitted to enter or exit the gates)
• Backpacks or any bag larger than 18" x 18" x 6"
• Balloons and beach balls
• Coolers
• Drones or any type of radio controlled flying device
• Fireworks
• Folding chairs
• Glass or can containers
• Grills
• Golf carts, hover boards, quads, UTVs, SxS, scooters, skateboards, Segways, dirt bikes or any other similar personal transportation devices (including licensed vehicles that may be street legal)
• Illegal drugs
• Noisemakers or horns
• Pets (except for service animals)
• Scaffolds
• Stadium seats wider than 18 inches or with arms
• Umbrellas
• Weapons of any kind
• Any items which pose a safety hazard or can diminish the enjoyment of the event by other guests.
• Other items in the judgment of speedway management or security staff which pose a safety hazard or diminish the enjoyment of the event by other patrons are also prohibited.

• One (1) non-alcoholic beverage per guest. Beverage may not exceed 20 ounces and must be contained in a plastic sports bottle or plastic cup.
• One (1) food item per guest. Examples include a sandwich, crackers, chips OR fruit. Family sized bags of food are not permitted.

Local Series

In the event of a rained out weekly event at the Drag Strip, ticketholders may use the ticket as a credit to attend another comparable event. *Some dates excluded.

NHRA

Qualifying (typically run on Friday and Saturday):

If Pro nitro qualifying is rained out, customer will be entitled to 100 percent credit*.

Following the completion of one round of Pro nitro qualifying, no compensation.

Eliminations (typically run on Sunday):

A total rainout -- customer is entitled to 100 percent credit*.

Following the completion of one round of Pro nitro eliminations, customer will be entitled to 50 percent credit*.

Following the completion of two rounds of Pro nitro eliminations, no compensation.

*In the event of a rainout customer must retain ticket stub to re-enter on rescheduled date.

If a customer cannot attend the rescheduled event, the ticket holder must retain the ticket(s) for use toward ticket purchase for next year's event. Customer is responsible for any difference due to price increases, account fees, etc.

All sales are final. No refunds. NHRA is not responsible for lost or stolen tickets. Credentials will not be honored.