A little OT but a question about drag racing and transmissions
 

Someone I know was saying that automatics are best for drag racing and that all funny cars use autos. I was trying to say that they also use a form of CVT as well. He claimed that they weren't strong enough but I swear that I've heard of them being used. Anyone care to shed light on this subject?

iirc most use some sort of powerglide.

i thought when you watched funny cars they shifted

Auto is best for drag because of the torque converter...
 

this is up to a certain hp though.
A torque converter has a stall speed, you use a trans brake (engages first and reverse, locking the input shaft) rev the engne and depending on the stall speed of the torque converter the engine will go to that RPM and stay there, release the trans brake button (disengages reverse), and i hope you have traction!
And yes alot of drag racers use the 2 speed powerglide, aluminum ones, for its light weight and when built, its strength. plus you dont need more than 2 gears.