While the smoke might be good for photos, in the actual race this is something drivers try to avoid at all costs.
After the "burnout" where big clouds of smoke are normal, they like to keep the tires stuck to the track for the best speed.
But of course, the best spot is "just before" they lose traction, where they get the best acceleration,
and it's not always easy to find when you're trying to go from 0 to over 250 MPH in less than six seconds, as the red dragster shows.
Two vintage (rear cockpit) Nitro dragsters at Famoso Raceways (Bakersfield CA) March Meet.