Looking for a starting point to soften up the launch on my 4.50’s dragster. What does a typical grid program look like? Do you start the ignition retarding at zero seconds or at a certain time out?

Not a dragster, but may give you a few idea's

I like to start mine .300-.500 into the run. I want to let the car react first. Also remember it will tighten up your converter too so consider that too

My dragster runs 4.40. I retard it 8 degrees for 1.5 seconds starting at .01 after launch and bring it back in on a linear slope. The car runs the same et with or without the retard but it is more consistent using it.
FYI if you start the retard at 0.0 and pull 8 degrees or so then the grid will pull it out as soon as the transbrake button is pushed. If you are at idle then that is not good. Either pull very little at 0.0 or start it at 0.1 seconds. This allows the engine to come up on the 2 step as usual.
David

I started mine at 0.0. Pulled anywhere from 8 to 12 degrees. Ramped it back in anywhere fro 1.5 to 2.2 seconds depending on how good the air was or how bad it was carrying the front end. That was the only thing I could do to keep it on the ground.

Dave

Thanks all, going to try starting pulling at .01 like davidsracing is doing and see what that does.