NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series set for Second Half of Thrilling Countdown to the Championship

INDIANAPOLIS, IN – October 7, 2024 – (Motor Sports NewsWire) – Through the first three races in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs, fans have already witnessed electric moments, huge surprises and major shifts in the points standings as drivers in the NHRA Mission Foods Drag Racing Series put everything on the line for championship glory.

The second half of the six-race postseason begins this weekend with the main event of Texas Motorplex’s Stampede of Speed, the Texas NHRA FallNationals, starting an epic three-race finish.

Following the annual stop in Dallas, the stars in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle go to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Ford Performance NHRA Nationals on Oct. 31-Nov. 3, with all roads leading to Pomona for the In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals on Nov. 14-17 at In-N-Out Burger Pomona Dragstrip.

Here’s how each class stacks up heading to the final three races of the 2024 season.

TOP FUEL

From top to bottom and from the start of the season until now, the level of competition in Top Fuel has been incredible, so it would only make sense for this championship race to come down to the wire for a second straight season. Last year, it was Doug Kalitta taking a winner-take-all final round against Leah Pruett to win his first championship and a similar scenario wouldn’t be surprising in 2024.

There’s a number of different routes the title chase could take as well. Antron Brown, looking for his first championship since 2016, is the current leader after winning the first two playoff races, but he has plenty of company. Justin Ashley, who is after his first world title, is 34 points back, while former world champions Shawn Langdon (-60), Kalitta (-87), Steve Torrence (-88) and Tony Schumacher (-103) are well within striking distance in what could be an epic finish.

Schumacher won in St. Louis – his first playoff win in 10 years – to emphasize there could be several unexpected twists to end the year. Things should become a little clearer after Dallas, but there will likely be a host of contenders fighting for a title down the stretch.

FUNNY CAR

He didn’t win St. Louis, but Austin Prock’s dominant start to the Countdown to the Championship undoubtedly puts his success as the biggest storyline in the class. Before John Force Racing teammate Jack Beckman knocked him off in St. Louis, Prock had won 14 straight rounds, winning in both Reading and Charlotte.

The team has been on…