We will discuss reaction time later. The following is the process followed by all racers. Burnout The cleaning and heating of tires to promote maximum traction. The burn out is done by wetting the rear tires and spinning them at high rpms. As the tires spin, the tires clean and the soft tread compound heats up and becomes sticky.
Some vehicles do a rolling burn out and others do a standing burn out to heat the tires.
Street tires are made of a different compound and actually become more slippery when heated. Staging The cars stage at the starting line by placing their front tires in a set of beams that are 8 inches apart. When the first lights on the tree are light the car is Pre-staged. When the second set of lights are turned on the car is staged and the driver has informed the Starter that they are ready to race. When the yellow lights on the tree start to flash, the driver knows the race is about to begin.