Sprint in Need for Speed: Carbon is a player versus player game mode along an enclosed course. The first racer to reach the finish line is the winner.
The starting grid of all sprint races consists of seven rival racers (or three rival racers in the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, and Wii releases) and the player. All participants have a chance to earn a 'Perfect Start' during the race countdown by hitting the optimal rev range before the countdown is completed.
There are 29 sprint events available through Quick Race and they take place across various locations within the confines of Palmont City, and San Juan, as well as the surrounding Canyons.