Which NHRA sportsman class runs an 8.90 index?

The NHRA sportsman class that runs an 8.90 index is Super Comp.

Super Comp is the quickest of NHRA’s fixed-index Super classes and is composed primarily of dragsters. Its 8.90-second index provides the performance standard for competition. Cars may be capable of running substantially quicker, so drivers use electronic aids such as timers and adjustable throttles to approach the index without breaking out.

The class uses heads-up racing with a Pro Tree rather than a handicap start. NHRA rules also permit vehicles such as altereds, roadsters, Funny Car-style cars and Pro Stock-type cars, although dragsters dominate the field. Minimum weight rules vary, including allowances for certain four- and six-cylinder cars.

The most common mix-up is with the other .90 Super classes. Super Gas uses a 9.90 index, while Super Street uses a 10.90 index. “Index” does not mean every pass must be exactly that time: a run quicker than the standard is a breakout and can cost a racer the round.