A drag race is the simplest motorsport in the world. Two cars, one straight line, who's first to the end. So why is it so hard to predict the winner from a spec sheet?
Power-to-weight is everything
Forget horsepower in isolation. The number that matters is horsepower per kilogram (or per pound). A 400 hp 1,200 kg car will outdrag a 600 hp 2,000 kg car all day long.
Traction is the limiter
Off the line, the limit is grip, not power. Above about 400 wheel-hp, more power doesn't help unless you can put it down. AWD wins below 60 mph; RWD with sticky tires can match it.
Aerodynamics dominates the top end
Past 150 mph, aerodynamic drag scales with the square of speed. To go from 200 to 220 mph requires almost double the power of going from 0 to 100. This is why hypercars cost what they do — that last 30 mph is enormously expensive.