Top Fuel

Top Fuel dragsters are the quickest accelerating vehicles in the world and the fastest sanctioned category of drag racers, with the fastest competitors reaching speeds of 330 miles per hour (530 km/h) and finishing the 1,000 foot (305 m) runs in 3.7 seconds.

Because of the speeds, this class almost exclusively races to only the 1,000 foot (305 m) distance, and not the traditional ¹⁄₄ mile (402 m). The rule was changed in 2008 by the National Hot Rod Association following the fatal crash of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta during qualifying at the SuperNationals, held at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, NJ. The rule has not been popular with the fans. The shortening of the distance was used in the FIA at some tracks, and as of 2012 is now the standard Top Fuel distance. The Australian National Drag Racing Association is the only internationally recognized sanctioning body that still races Top Fuel dragsters at the earlier 1,320 feet (402 m) standard distance for the majority of races for such events.