In a drag race two vehicles go against each other over a straight, measured distance from a standing start. The standard distances are a quarter-mile (1,320 feet/402.3 m), 1000 feet (301.5m) (contested in the highest horsepower classes only), or an eighth-mile (660 feet/201 m).

A standard drag racing event involves several classes, each competing in their own single-elimination tournament of head-to-head races.