Six-Race Playoff Expands To Include 10 Drivers, Reward Point Leader

GLENDORA, Calif. — NHRA has altered its Countdown to the Championship for its POWERade Drag Racing Series.
The initial 18 races will lead to the new six-race Countdown to One, with the top 10 drivers being locked into the playoff system. As well, NHRA has altered its schedule, with the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals moving back one week to Nov. 13-16.
The fields for the championship playoffs, which will be set at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day weekend, will be expanded to the top 10 in each class, up from eight in 2007. In the Pro Stock Motorcycle category, the season will feature a 12-race regular season and a five-race playoff.
Similar to last year’s format, and after the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, championship playoff competitors will have their points readjusted and separated in 10-point increments. However, point leaders in each of the four professional classes after the regular season will be awarded with a 20-point bonus, increasing their leads over the second place qualifiers to 30 points.  
“Few would argue with the drama that unfolded in 2007 which concluded with all four NHRA POWERade world championships decided on the last day of the season, and two categories on the final run of the year,” said Tom Compton, president, NHRA. “We reflected on the success of the new playoff format and listened to the feedback we received from fans, sponsors and, in particular, the racing community. We believe we have modified the system to maintain the excitement for our fans and provide more opportunities for teams as they race for NHRA POWERade world championships.”
The regular season portion of the NHRA POWERade Series schedule will now be referred to as the Countdown to 10, with the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship playoffs, the Countdown to 1, beginning with the inaugural event at the yet-to-be-constructed drag strip at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sept. 11-14.