Drag Car Facts

Drag racing cars remain a popular draw in the United States, with more than 140 tracks and 35,000 licensed participants, according to NHRA, the sport's governing body. The cars have evolved greatly in the past 50 years.

  1. Horsepower Output

    • According to the NHRA, the average nitromethane-powered engines in the Top Fuel and Funny Car classifications produce about 7,000 horsepower. That's about 37 times the amount produced by an average automobile. Pro Stock category cars produce about 1,200 horsepower.

    Fuel Consumption

    • During a quarter-mile trip down the track, the average Funny Car consumes between four and five gallons of fuel. This equals about 16 to 20 gallons of fuel consumed for each mile traveled. When backing into racing position and the burnout is added, the car might consume up to 12 gallons of fuel for one quarter-mile run. The nitromethane fuel used in drag cars costs about $16 per gallon.

    Speeds Achieved

    • A Top Fuel dragster can accelerate from 0 to 100 mph in less than a second. Top speeds achieved on the quarter-mile race strip exceed 330 mph.