Depends on where ya go. I've only been to two different tracks, orlando spinworld...ahem speedworld, and vegas motor speedway.
Vegas - I have about 60 time slips from, figure 4 runs a trip. i went a few times to the 'open street wars'. Once i had to pop my hood, they asked i added a hose clamp to my coolant recovery. Rest of the times i never popped the hood. I ran slicks there and the battery in the trunk. NHRA requires a driveshaft loop when running (i believe 13s) on slicks. Which i have. With the battery in the trunk you need to have an external 'kill switch' which i have. Tried to follow the rules best i could, they are set for your safety anyway...Edit: Oh and vegas only asked that the windows were up and the belt was fastened (lapbelt) before passing.
Orlando - Never popped the hood there. First time out i was on street tires, second time on slicks. First pass on slicks the tree-man said 'if you run a 13, you'll need a helmet'...Which i had one (but couldnt 'jinx' the 13 since i hadn't ran one yet at the time).
Just my experiences