going to the track for my first time

Leave the car in second. Get the tires spinning then feather the throttle to maintain RPM. Be sure not to over rev it. Like it was said before, try different launch RPMs. Torque it on the line may not be what it likes. Some engines like the flash from the converter. So just off an idle while the tree drops and mash it. Mess with it and have fun. You'll get to know what works best with some time slips in your hand.