Tractors Versus Traction: The Battle of Track Prep Versus Down Time Takes Center Stage
Drag racing has endured several changes through the years since national competition began back in the 1950s.
As technology has improved and better tire compounds have allowed racers to put more of their power to the pavement or concrete, track prep had to evolve as well.
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While the drag radial game first caught fire in the late 2000s, it took a while for track prep to catch up with it. The drag radial might have been used by many events and series to equalize the playing field because of how much power could be put down on a smaller footprint.
But as we moved from the original drag radial from Nitto and BFGoodrich, to the first drag radials from Mickey Thompson in 2002, it eventually got to drag radials being preferred by racers.
Keeping the same overall diameter during a run, offering a smoother ride on most examples, and less rolling resistance.
Once competitors started getting into the mid 4-second range in the eighth-mile standard, it wasn’t long before track prep that would match it was demanded.
This meant more glue compared to a “slick tire“ track prep, and usually more rubber and more time on track equipment.
Flash forward to where tons of events have live streams (both individuals on phones, as well as professionals). And what do most complain about on the streams? The amount of time for the tractors and prep.
It’s a slippery slope; prep less and racers could (and normally will) complain about the track. Prep to the level that quick elapsed times demand, and the casual observer will wonder why all the time is spent watching tractors on the live feed or from the grandstands.
My opinion? Unless you are running a no-prep / low-prep specific event or series, the level of prep needs to stay to a level of keeping the racers happy. They are providing the show, and without them you won’t have as many spectators.
Granted, I can see not prepping a track to where you can throw every ounce of hot sauce at the tune up, and thus making it into a tuner’s game. As long as this is conveyed to the racers before they travel hundreds of miles to be greeted with a big curveball.
There’s lots of events and choices in our racing world; let’s give them a little break from criticism on social media and think about how things would be with less events to choose from.
Written by Derek Putnam. Photos courtesy of Sick the Magazine, Thomas Bemis and Hard Target Images.
If you have thoughts / feedback / ideas, please e-mail us at derek@sickthemagazine.com