Racers commonly refer to the canards on the side of Top Fuel dragsters as mud flaps. NHRA confirmed this rule on Monday in a statement issued to the media.

The canards in Top Fuel will be optional for the next four races, starting at the upcoming NHRA Arizona Nationals in Phoenix on March 21-23, while NHRA evaluates their effectiveness of reducing rear wheel loads without significantly impacting other areas. 

 
The NHRA Technical Department will reassess the mud flap after the four-race trial period, working with Top Fuel teams to gather as much information as possible.

 
If no mud flap is utilized, the side of the Top Fuel body must be covered with a replacement body panel, with no bare chassis exposed.

 
According to a top crew chief, he believes the NHRA made this ruling because the canards have very little influence on the car. 

 
One outfit might beg to differ, though, as Brittany Force’s Top Fuel team, in a pre-Gatornationals test run recorded a 302-mile per hour run to the eighth-mile, with a 2.936 elapsed time. The canards were reportedly not attached for the run.