In drag racing, a burnout means spinning the tires before a pass to heat them for traction.
A driver spins the driven tires while controlling the car with the brakes or a line-lock system. Friction heats the rubber, removes debris, and leaves a thin layer of rubber on the racing surface. Drag-racing slicks generally work better once they are at an appropriate operating temperature, so the burnout is a practical preparation step rather than merely a theatrical display.
The burnout normally begins in the water box, where a small wet area helps the tires break traction. After the tires spin, the car is backed toward the starting line and staged. The amount and length of the burnout vary with the tire compound, track conditions, vehicle class, and weather.
Burnout is often confused with a red light, dial-in, or holeshot. A red light is an early start, a dial-in is a predicted elapsed time in bracket racing, and a holeshot is a reaction-time advantage. Burnouts also became a familiar victory celebration in stock-car racing, where heating the tires is no longer the main purpose.