Ideas, could they help race using an automatic transmission?

I've been interested in racing lately. Although it is not part of my question, bonus points if you briefly explain the different types!
First off, this is purely for curiosity(for now, no life long promises!).
I've read a lot saying manual transmissions are more efficient for racing because you can hold the gears longer, into the redline rpm's, and that automatic transmissions will shift gears before redline point. For this reason, manual transmissions will get a faster acceleration if used properly.
My question however: Is it possible to achieve the same rpm's with an automatic? I don't mean a sports car, I mean like a typical Honda or Nissan. My theory to achieve this would be to start the race in 1 instead of D, then after getting into 6000 rpms shift into second gear, etc. Essentially manually shifting up the gears. Would this work?

I have not and do not intend to test this as it will most likely wreck my transmission I just rebuilt.

Any and all positive contribution is welcome

Your a little off. The idea of when to shift is not the "red line" you've gone past your high torque point by then and therefore you will be the looser every time.

Yes, it IS possible to manually shift an automatic transmission. Automatic transmissions are much more efficient these days than they were, like 30 years ago. Lots of modern "sporty" cars have paddle shifters that allow the driver to shift an automatic trans up or down from the steering wheel.

The BIG problem with automatic transmissions in pure racing cars is the weight and the heat an automatic trans produces. Manual transmissions weigh less, when weight can be a critical design factor, and automatic transmissions need a separate radiator or oil cooler to keep the temperatures down.