Drag Race
A drag race, with its differences and similarities to street racing, is "a race between cars accelerating from a stand still on a short, straight course" (according to Webster's Dictionary). The distance is either a quarter-mile (1,320 feet) or an eight-mile (660 feet) race. Two vehicles race at a time eliminating the loser until one driver is left in this tournament-style competition. Street racing is the illegal counterpart to drag racing. It is done on public streets with its own set of rules as opposed to regulated on a track with a flag and marshal heading up the festivities.

Theories on the term "Drag Racing"

What do you think?

a)   Was it a challenge to "drag your car out of the garage and race…?"
b)   Did it make reference to the location of a race as in "the main drag" as in the main street with ample room for two cars?
c)   Might it refer to "dragging" (holding transmission in gear for an extended period) the gears?

What's the Appeal?
Drag racing and racecar driving are dangerous even in their controlled environments. The high speeds are enough to make even a professional driver lose control of the car. Then there's the other driver or drivers on the track that can further put your life in jeopardy. For street racers injury and death are certainly a possibility, but DANGER is part of the allure.

Illegal Street Racing Laws

Regulations
Government and concerned groups have drafted and implemented tougher laws, made sure to improve the conditions of roads, and increased safety features in cars. Defensive driving and other driver's education programs attempt to scare people away from reckless and dangerous driving.

Consequences

• Racers could be arrested and face jail time.
• Cars participating in racing events can be impounded for 30 days.
• If a driver gets convicted of street racing or you are believed to be helping with the festivities, you can receive up to three months in prison and fined up to $1,000. Spectators beware too. 
• You can have your driver's license revoked by the police of DMV
• Auto insurance rates will skyrocket or be cancelled - it's a lose, lose. 
• Cars in the vicinity of illegal street races can be issued equipment violations (loud stereos, missing bumpers or license plates, engine modifications, excessively loud exhausts, tinted windshields etc.)

The Cars

There are two major categories of cars:

Small import vehicles (typically teen drivers)
Honda Civic, Mazda, Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Camry, Supra and Celica, Acura, Mitsubishi eclipse, Nissan Maxima

Domestic muscle cars (typically older drivers)
 Barracuda, Grand National, Mustang, GTO, Shelby, El Camino, Camaro,  Monte Carlo

Drag Racing Classes
Drag racing vehicles are broken down into classes which are grouped into 12 categories. To be eligible for a class a car must meet specific criteria such as type and weight of vehicle, engine size, how many modifications are permitted and aerodynamics.

Professional Category

• Top Fuel
• Funny Car
• Pro Stock
• Pro Stock Bike

Gambling
Aside from racing for an adrenaline rush, participants compete for ownership and money. People bet hundreds, even thousands of dollars or in some cases, racers will wager their cars. The winner takes all - pride, respect, money and possibly a new car.

Women
Initially, females were spectators. They cheered on racers, and were there for "show" - to be beautiful. Sometimes they are used as an ante if they don't have money or winners get girlfriends based on their racing status.  In addition, women are racing. They are racing, winning, earning respect, crashing, getting injured, injuring others and dying.