why do they rub the drag slicks by hand?

[ljhj45]

starting to become interested in drag racing, I was watching it on espn last night when I noticed that there were guys on either side of the car rubbing the tires by hand prior to staging. what is the purpose of this?

[dirtysohc]

i always wondered that too...i think there rubbing off tiny rocks that might stick to the tires jes to clean it before the driver takes off...but i dunno

[Dr. Disque]

yes, that is what they're doing, they're cleaning off any pebbles, dust, or rubber marbles he may have picked up.

[EskimoBob]

yea also notice the blow torch