This series of races continues until one winning driver remains. These contests are started by means of an electronic device commonly called a Christmas Tree because of its multicoloed staging lights. Small amber bulbs warn drivers that they are approaching the starting line and the staged position. These bulbs are illuminated when the front tires of the car interrupt a light beam that crosses the lane. This signals to the driver that he is on the starting line and ready to run.
Racers running in handicap-start categories get a countdown until the green comes on.
Any time that the green light is shown in a racer's lane indicates that a fair start was accomplished. It indicates that the driver in that lane is disqualified. Two light beams cross the starting-line area and connect to trackside photocells, which are wired to the Christmas Tree and the electronic timers in the control tower. When a cars front tire breaks the first light beam, called the prestage beam, the prestage light is illuminated on the Chrismass Tree to indicate to the racer that he or she is approximately seven inches from the starting line. When the racer rolls forward into the stage beam, the front tires are exactly positioned on the starting line and the stage bulb is lit on the tree, indicating to both racers and to officials that the car is ready to run.