Finaly lined up against a new challenger!

He lost. I was fully off the throttle before he got around me.

Stoplight racing is won or lost at the light.
I'm not trying to do 100+MPH. If I out 60' ya that's it. There's no room to pull. I'm already off the throttle and coasting up to the next light.
Absolutely correct. Stop light wars are ruled by traction.