Picking gears

my opinion for a bracket car, you would want to cross the finish 200 rpms before shift point. In other words, per say, if you shift a car at 6000 rpm's and it's a 727, you'd want to cross the line at 5800 rpm's in 3rd gear. You want the car to be pulling at the finish incase your the chaser, and it's easier on the engine for longer life.