As it turns out, the win light in qualifying is fashionable after all.

In an attempt to simplify drag race qualifying for the casual drag race fans, NHRA decided prior to the 2018 season to do away with the win light. The racers and race fans and racers still wanted a winner determined, even if it didn’t count in the win/loss column.

Many race fans and spectators made it a point to let NHRA management know.

Starting at the NHRA New England Nationals, NHRA will re-activate the win light to appear in the lane of the first car to reach the finish line in qualifying/time-trials as well as eliminations for events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series schedule.

“Fierce competition is part of what makes NHRA Championship Drag Racing such an intense experience,” said Josh Peterson, NHRA’s vice president of racing administration. “Our fans want to see victories and defeats, regardless of which days they attend our events. At its core, drag racing is a contest between two individuals, racing side-by-side whether they are competing for the best time or to advance to the next round. It’s evident that fans want to punctuate that contest with a win light. We are excited to turn it back on starting with the NHRA New England Nationals where we will celebrate our nation’s independence all weekend long.”

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— Competition Plus (@competitionplus) January 4, 2019