This was on a drag strip.
OK, my bad. But why does the gang call themselves "Street Outlaws"? It's just another case of all hat and no cattle. I suppose if they are rooting around for a "TV reality show" (cough cough) then "Street Outlaws" is more marketable.
He wasn’t set up for a timed race. Serious racers would never have a passenger. They even drain the gas tank so there is only enough for the race. Extra gas = extra weight.