a multiplayer game, according to Hines

a realistic simulation rather than a finger-twisting arcade racing game

Straight line, one-on-one contest of acceleration and reaction time between two drivers and their cars. Almost always run on a two-lane quarter mile strip with run out deceleration areas past the finish line. Winner determined by electronic sensors and timing and some races are over in less than five seconds. Drag racing has a vocabulary all its own and is dealt with in a separate glossary: Drag Racing Terms.

Drag racing is a form of auto racing in which any two vehicles (most often two cars or motorcycles) attempt to complete a fairly short, straight and level course in the shortest amount of time, starting from a dead stop. Drag racing originated in the United States and is still the most popular there. The most common distance is one quarter mile (402 m / 1320 ft.), although one-eighth of a mile (201 m / 660 ft.) tracks are also popular.