Crossing the centerline and/or striking a timing block is a serious safety concern and has resulted in driver injuries and extensive vehicle damage.

With that in mind, for the upcoming 2024 season – which begins at the Gatornationals in Gainesville, Fla., March 7-10, NHRA is implementing a stiffer Centerline/Timing Block Violation Policy.

To hopefully minimize centerline crossing and/or striking timing blocks, the following policy will be in effect for Top Fuel and Funny Car at each NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series events. In addition to the current centerline policy of disqualifying runs/times, additional penalties – including a loss of up to 30 points and fines as much as $3,000 – will be imposed on drivers crossing the centerline or striking the timing blocks during any qualifying and/or elimination round.

The following penalties apply to Top Fuel and Funny Car. Below is a look of the breakdown of the updated Centerline/Timing Block Violation Policy.

 

 

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TF and FC PENALITIES (Gainesville – Indianapolis; 0’ to 1320’) 

First Violation of the season will result in the following: 

• Loss of ten (10) NHRA Series points. 

--plus-- 

• One-thousand dollar ($1,000) monetary fine 

Second Violation of the season will result in the following: 

• Loss of twenty (20) NHRA Series points. 

--plus-- 

• Two-thousand dollar ($2,000) monetary fine 

Subsequent Violations: 

• Loss of thirty (30) NHRA Series points per violation. 

--plus-- 

• Three-thousand dollar ($3,000) monetary fine 

 

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TF and FC PENALITIES (Reading – Pomona; 0’ to 1320’) 

First Violation of the season will result in the following: 

• One-thousand dollar ($1,000) monetary fine 

Second Violation of the season will result in the following: 

• Two-thousand dollar ($2,000) monetary fine 

Subsequent Violations: 

• Three-thousand dollar ($3,000) monetary fine 

 

This policy encompasses the distance from the start line to the ¼ mile finish line. TF/FC drivers touching centerline will be subject to the standard disqualification/loss of elapsed time policy. Points WILL be deducted for centerline/timing block violation on single runs. 

Any vehicle striking timing fixtures will be considered a violation. Violation will apply regardless if the nose of the car crosses the finish line prior to any part of the car striking fixtures (parachute striking finish line timing blocks is not considered a violation). 

In the case of an oildown plus a centerline/timing block violation on the same run, the oildown points penalty and DQ of the run will apply (no double points penalty). 

Intentional crossing of boundary lines to leave the track or avoid depositing debris on the track is not considered a violation. Crossing the centerline on a burnout is not considered a violation. However, the Event Director may disqualify a driver if such actions are determined to be unsafe or unsportsmanlike conduct. 

The policy will remain in place for all 21 NHRA National Events.

The NHRA emphasized that multiple/Continual violations will result in an NHRA review of driver’s season performance. As a result of that review, further action may be taken as determined by NHRA. Any team experiencing multiple/continual violations, or demonstrating a disregard for this policy, will be subject to additional punitive action as deemed appropriate by NHRA in its sole and absolute  discretion. Such action may involve monetary fines, immediate disqualification from the event, denial to participate in future National Events, and/or suspension of competition privileges.