What Does "Out of the Groove" Mean?

What does it mean to be "out of the groove"?

First, it is important to know what "the groove" is. The groove is the ideal racing line of a track. It is the smoothest line--no marbles, smallest amount of bumps, and provides the maximum grip and traction.

When you are in the stands, you can see this ideal line because it is generally the darkest part of the track.

In addition, after the drivers do their burnout, they back up into what the crew chiefs believe to be the best line for them to race.

The loss of grip and traction is a result of getting out of the groove, and this can cause tire smoking. And bad things happen. Drivers can crash into the wall (or each other). The rotations per minutes (RPMs) rise, which can cause engine and/or blower explosions.

Clay Millican, driver of the Parts Plus NHRA Top Fuel Dragster, used a metaphor to explain "out of the groove": "Think of driving on a busy, snow-covered road," he said. When "you get out of the tracks, your car wants slide into the oncoming traffic."

This phrase is also used in NASCAR. Getting out of the groove causes the car to slide and potentially hit the wall (and other cars).