What would you do with an extra 320 feet?

If you were the NHRA, you'd use that space to slow down nitro-burning drag cars.

In the aftermath of Scott Kalitta's fatal accident in Englishtown, NJ, the sanctioning body has decided that both Top Fuel and Funny Car classes will race to 1,000 feet instead of the traditional 1,320 feet or one-quarter mile. This is to give the groundpounders an extra bit to get things slowed down after a 300+mph pass.

The change may or may not be a permanent thing, but is a short term way to give nitro cars more shutdown area. It should also shorten the elapsed time of runs by a few tenths, we'd guess. Hopefully fans will not demand refunds for upcoming events because the races only last 4.212 seconds instead of the far superior and more entertaining 4.412 seconds.

NHRA: Nitro Class Races Cut to 1,000ft