Racing the stripe if you have the lead

Agree with all here that have said car has to be consistent. I've never played around with the dial in. Ive always dialed what I think the car will run flat out. I had one last year, I don't remember the exact dials, I was an 11.83 and the other guy, I think, was like a 12 flat. So, he got the leave. I knew I cut a decent light. But, by a 100 ft. I went around him. Had a half a car the whole way down. Dumped it right at the stripe. I went 11.88 and knocked five mile an hour off. I wasn't sure what the hell to do but it worked out. If I'm ahead coming up on the stripe I'll usually womp it a couple just to insure I don't break out.