Electronics and big tires. Between the nitrous controller technology, boost controller technology, and new efi systems that have integrated traction control, that's really what makes them fast on the street.

Oversized stiff wall slicks and preping the road helps as well. I really hate holding conversations with alot of track racers who think they can pull their bracket car out and think they will go drag them around, I find that very ignorant. Those cars are no joke, I belive the s10 went 6.50 (1/4) like 4 or 5 years ago. I bet the slowest car on the list might go 5.2-5.0 in the 1/8 on a bad pass.

One of the local guys railed Lutz in his car 2 years ago at the arm drop drags on a 26x8.5 tire. Granted he spun, but a win is a win. http://youtu.be/rodSbV4ORkU

They are fast and your average race car won't get it done without alot of testing and dollars.