This guy uses Yellow Tops in his drag car:
Bill Dube's 1985 Volkswagen Wabbit
But they're not really traction batteries.
I think you probably will have better success with real lead-acid traction batteries as offered by Trojan or US Battery. They should last you longer and are more forgiving of "screwups" in charging and discharging. But you have to check the water periodically and they are heavier. They are available in 6, 8, and 12V. The lower the voltage the longer they last (that's a tradeoff for power output for a given pack weight because the lower voltage will give you less instantaneous power but will last for more charge/discharge cycles).
Trojan Battery Company
U.S. Battery Golf