This makes for an interesting drag race.
Half-mile drag races are valuable data. While quarter-mile results are often used to discuss performance cars, they can also be useful. A quarter-mile drag race can make it more difficult for cars that are close matched.
This Track Day TV video features a Dodge Challenger Hellcat and a Chevrolet Corvette Z06. Both cars have similar quarter-mile performance. It often comes down to the driver. Which car has the longer legs on a half-mile track? The Hellcat leaves the Z06 and pulls on it slowly until they reach the finish line. At this point, the Z06 is several cars ahead of the Hellcat. Evidently, the Z06 driver failed to complete the crucial 1-2 shift and was never able to recover. The tables were turned when the Hellcat had its worst day of the race, being gapped by the Corvette almost as much as he beat him last time. We don’t get another run with both drivers at their best.
It’s still impressive that the cars were so closely matched. Although the Hellcat is known for being a dragstrip tyrant, we expected that the Corvette would have more legs up top. The Hellcat is more than a quarter-mile machine, which was pleasantly surprising to us. We are left by the Hellcat driver, who gives us a summary of the day’s events and explains the final result with the aid of a chalkboard with relevant numbers. The host says, “You guys all are adults here.” Based on what I have provided, you can make your own conclusions.