Let’s face it—getting into the sport of drag racing isn’t as simple as grabbing a used set of golf clubs and hitting the course. Unlike golf, where you can borrow or rent gear and tag along with a buddy for a round, drag racing’s entry point feels a lot steeper. The costs are higher, the environment can be intimidating, and for many, it seems like something you needed to grow up doing.
I’ve even had friends tell me outright: “Man, it just feels like there’s no place for someone like me to jump in.” And that got me thinking—how can we break down those barriers? How can we make drag racing more accessible and inviting for newcomers who didn’t grow up at the track?
Most of my friends might not have a drag car or trailer sitting in their garage, but they’ve got a golf cart, side-by-side, or four-wheeler. And that’s where the spark started. Not long ago, I sent out a picture of myself in the burnout box on our family’s four-wheeler, getting ready for an after-race “pit vehicle race.” My buddies were hooked—they didn’t even realize you could do something like that at a drag strip.
That excitement got me thinking: could we use these “fun runs” as a gateway to the sport? After all, drag racing is so much more than just the race itself—it’s the hanging out after, the friends, the camping, the stories told around the pit. So why not make it easier for people to dip their toes in?
Pit Vehicle Races and Low-Entry Classes: The Gateway to Racing
It’s no secret that bracket racing can be confusing, even for those of us who’ve been around it for a while. The idea of sinking thousands into a car and trailer for something you don’t fully understand is a big ask. But if new folks can show up with something they already have—a golf cart, side-by-side, or ATV—and make a few passes, it changes everything.
What if more tracks hosted dedicated pit vehicle races or low-entry-level classes for these types of vehicles? These races wouldn’t just be fun; they’d break down the financial and psychological barriers that keep potential racers away. A race and a trail ride for side-by-sides and four-wheelers? Heads-up and bracket classes available? That’s the kind of event that pulls in new faces and gets people hooked.
It’s About More Than the Race
Of course, we know drag racing is more than what happens between the beams. It’s about the camaraderie in the pits, the shared meals at the campsite, and the rush of pulling your vehicle up to the line—no matter what you’re driving. If tracks can capture that energy and market it better, there’s a real chance to grow the sport from the grassroots up.
Maybe that means better advertising for these entry-level races—getting the word out that you don’t need a purpose-built race car to have a blast at the track. Or maybe it means existing racers like us inviting our friends out for a night of fun, where the only goal is to hang out and see what it’s all about.
I know there’s already a sportsman class where people can bring their street vehicles to the track, and that’s a great entry point for many. But for some of my friends, the idea of racing their daily driver or a borrowed car down the track still feels like a big commitment. The side-by-sides and four-wheelers they already own feel like a more natural extension of the fun they’re used to—more like something they’d want to race and less intimidating than putting their car on the line.
Where Do We Go From Here?
I’m not saying pit vehicle racing is the only answer, but it’s one way to make drag racing feel less intimidating and more welcoming. And if you’ve ever run a Nissan Frontier down the track, you know it’s not always about the vehicle—it’s about the experience. When someone can show up with their golf cart or side-by-side, it’s easier to see themselves as part of the racing community.
So here’s the challenge: tracks, racers, and promoters—how can we open the gates a little wider? How do we make the sport more budget-friendly and approachable for those who might not have grown up in it? Because at the end of the day, the future of racing depends on the new folks we bring in, and the stories they’ll one day tell about their first time in the burnout box—no matter what they were driving.
