On paper, a quarter-mile race between the 2011 Porsche 911 Turbo and the 2011 Corvette ZR1 seems like a foregone conclusion in favor of the American muscle; after all, while the all-wheel-drive Porsche is widely accepted to be superior in the turns, the ZR1 is lighter (at 3,329 pounds versus the Porsche's 3,500 pounds) and boasts superior horsepower and torque numbers (638 horses for the ZR1 versus 500 for the Porsche, with 604 lb-ft of torque against the German's 480 lb-ft) -- meaning it should take the cake in Motor Trend's straight-line drag race. Not so: The Porsche bests the 'Vette by about three car lengths. The Porsche's traction makes all the difference in the shorter race.