Funny Car is an NHRA drag racing car class. Other common classes include top fuel dragsters and pro stock. Funny cars are dragsters with a massive front-mounted engine. The cars are rear-wheel driven with huge distinctive rear wheels. The cars also differ from top fuel in that funny cars have some sort of an automotive body over the chassis, making them look like stock cars tilted forward on huge wheels.
The NHRA has strict guidelines for funny cars. Most of the rules relate to the engine. In short, the engines can only be V-8's at 90 degrees. (The most popular design has been the 426 Chrysler Hemi.) There can only be two valves per cylinder and superchargers are restricted to a basic Roots type. The fuel mixture is usually 98-99% nitromethane with 1-2% alcohol. The engine displacement can only be from 490-500 cubic inches. Funny cars have a fixed gear ratio of 3.20 to 1 and have a reverser. Wheelbase is between 100 and 125 inches. The car must maintain a 3 in ground clearance.
Various safety rules are also in place to protect the driver, spectators, and others. The most obvious requirement is a parachute to help slow the care down once it crosses the finish line.
A well-known driver in Funny Car racing is John Force.