going to the track for my first time

If something pop, spits or quits, get the car out of the groove, to the side of track with K rail and stop as soon and safely as possible. I've been out to that thing I call the "half-shaft nationals" and you wouldn't believe the idiots. Something breaks and they litter the track from one end to the other with parts, syn trans fluid, antifreeze, etc... it's a PIA to clean up and takes a LONG time. It's fun paying your money to sit in the heat while the crew cleans the track and you're not putting in any laps.

Burnout get it in high gear and count 3, let off brakes, roll out and let out of the gas as it starts to roll forward.

Don't double bulb, turning on the pre stage and stage bulbs before the other guy is even prestaged. It REALLY pisses some people off. Roll forward, turn on the prestage light, wait for them to turn on prestage, then roll into the stage beam. As tree comes down, stand on it when you see the last yellow light come on.

If you are running slicks, regardless of ET, they may require you to have a driveshaft loop.

Most of all have fun and be safe.