INDIANAPOLIS, IN – October 10, 2022 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – The NHRA Countdown to the Championship has already treated race fans to dominant performances, record-breaking runs, incredible surprises, and changes at the top of the standings – and that’s just through three playoff races.
The second half of the six-race postseason in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is set to begin at this weekend’s 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, kicking off a final three-race stretch that is sure to be incredible.
Following the annual stop in Dallas, the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle head to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NHRA Nevada Nationals on Oct. 27-30, with the Countdown to the Championship and the 2022 season wrapping up on Nov. 10-13 with the must-see Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
With four champions set to be crowned, tension and intensity will be at a fever-pitch heading into the final three races, with plenty of can’t-miss action set to take place in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona across all categories. Here’s how each class stacks up at the midway point of the Countdown to the Championship.
TOP FUEL
In one of the most competitive Top Fuel seasons in recent memory, it’s no coincidence this class is as tight as ever after three playoff races. We’ve seen three different winners (Austin Prock, Antron Brown, and Steve Torrence), a world-record speed run from Brittany Force and a first-time points leader – all in the span of a month.
On the strength of back-to-back final rounds to open the Countdown to the Championship, Justin Ashley has been the playoff points leader throughout, jumping past Force and Mike Salinas. But Torrence, the four-time world champ, closed to within just 14 points after his victory at the most recent event in St. Louis.
But it’s hardly a two-car race in the loaded category. Force, who has four wins this season, is just 30 points back, while Salinas and Brown, who won in Charlotte, are just 35 and 43 points back, respectively. Josh Hart trails Ashley by only 64 points back thanks to his runner-up in St. Louis and Doug Kalitta is only within striking distance, trailing Ashley by 88 points in the seventh spot, showcasing just how balanced Top Fuel has been going into what should be a remarkable final three events.
FUNNY CAR
Robert Hight’s bid for a fourth world championship has been impressive, as the…
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