No. 1 Tony Schumacher

U.S. Army Dragster, NHRA Top Fuel
Schumacher’s record-breaking season continues as the NHRA’s Countdown To One playoff system begins with this weekend’s inaugural Carolinas Nationals at Concord, N.C. Schumacher is coming off a seventh U.S. Nationals title and could break Joe Amato’s record of 52 Top Fuel victories this weekend.

2. Kyle Busch

No. 18/32 Toyotas, NASCAR Sprint Cup/Nationwide Series
Busch turned in a pair of 10th-place finishes at Richmond in NASCAR’s top two series. He leads as The Chase begins.

3. Scott Dixon

No. 9 Target Chip Ganassi Dallara-Honda, IndyCar Series
Dixon’s exciting second-place finish at Chicagoland was more than enough to earn him his second IndyCar Series title.

4. Carl Edwards

Nos. 99/60 Fords, NASCAR Sprint Cup/Nationwide Series
Edwards won for the fourth time this season and moved into second place in the Nationwide Series standings. He finished 13th in Cup.

5. Jimmie Johnson

No. 48 Chevrolet, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
The two-time defending Sprint Cup champion is on a roll with two-straight victories as The Chase begins.

6. Johnny Benson

No. 23 Toyota, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Benson has won four times in his last seven races, finishing a stong third this past weekend at Gateway Int’l Raceway.

7. Donny Schatz

No. 15 J&J Sprint Car, World of Outlaws
Schatz earned a victory at Cottage Grove, Ore., but also finished out of the top 10 for the first time this season, placing 15th and 21st.

8. Jason Meyers

No. 14 KPC Sprint Car, World of Outlaws
Meyers was a winner during the second night of Gold Cup competition, but the week also inlcuded finishes of sixth, 20th and 22nd.

9. Helio Castroneves

No. 3 Team Penske Dallara-Honda, IndyCar Series
Castroneves couldn’t catch Scott Dixon for the IndyCar Series crown, but he edged Dixon for his second victory during the final three races.

10. Lewis Hamilton

No. 22 Vodaphone McLaren Mercedes, Formula One
A steward’s call stripped Hamilton of a victory in the Belgian Grand Prix, but the Brit maintains his World Driving Championship lead.

HONORABLE MENTION
Felipe Massa was second on the track, but was handed a second-straight F-1 victory at Spa. . . Shane Clanton continued his recent hot streak with a victory in the World 100 late-model race.

LAST WEEK
Scott Dixon moves from fifth to third with a stirring run for the IRL tile and a near victory at Chicago... Jimmie Johnson charges into the rankings at No. 5 after two-straight Sprint Cup victories.