NHRA Shifts Gears, Opts for NASCAR-Style Playoffs A.J. Perez NHRA is sloughing off its current championship format and shifting toward a playoff system for its four professional divisions in 2007, series officials announced Wednesday. The NHRA Powerade "Countdown to the Championship" will function much like NASCAR's successful Race to the Chase. Drivers must be in the top eight after the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa., on Aug. 19 - the 17th event of the season - to qualify for the six-race playoff. "We hope it brings the new fan into NHRA by creating a new buzz and new excitement around the sport, but I also believe it's going to be very exciting to our current fans," NHRA President Tom Compton said in a conference call with reporters. The Mac Tools U.S. Nationals over Labor Day Weekend will serve as the first race of the "Countdown to Four," a four-race portion of the playoff that will cut the eight-driver field in half for the last two races - the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals (Oct. 24) and Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals (Nov. 4). Last season's Funny Car championship wasn't decided until the final race, but Compton said "that was the exception, not the rule. That's why we are making changes." The series also announced the NHRA Pontiac Performance Nationals - an event to be run for the first time at Norwalk (Ohio) Raceway Park - will be held July 1. Five other races were shifted on the 23-race schedule.
Great article that expresses my feelings. NASCAR has done a lot of things right and the incredible growth of the sport has been the result, but ditching the Southern 500 and giving the date to Fontana is not one of them. They should have rearranged the dates for the Chase so that the Southern 500 would be the last race to qualify for it. A lot of the appeal of NASCAR is its tradition, and no place had more of it than Darlington. Honestly, I can't understand how they can even get people to attend a race at Fontana. Three and a half hours of pointless laps, and probably decided by fuel mileage. Other than Charlotte, Atlanta and maybe Michigan, for my money they could plow up all the mile and a half tracks. I'd rather watch a truck race at Martinsville.
Actually, I'd rather watch a truck race then many of these events...I love the truck races...they are unbelievable fun to watch at Daytona...200mph plus with no restrictor
Great article on Darlington. Pretty much covers my feelings. That track separated the men from the boys. Not so sure about the NHRA change of the points system......
Lester to attempt to makes 3rd Cup start at California: Craftsman Truck Series driver Bill Lester is looking forward to attempting his third Nextel Cup start in this weekend's SONY HD 500 at California Speedway. Piloting the #23 Waste Management Dodge Nextel Cup entry for Bill Davis Racing, Lester became the first black driver to compete in a Nextel Cup race in 20 years when he qualified for the Golden Corral 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway in March in his first appearance behind the wheel of a Nextel Cup racecar. This weekend, along with the pressure of qualifying and racing in the Nextel Cup series, and the numerous demands for media interviews and appearances, Lester will have the additional attention of a large contingent of family and friends following his every move. Lester was raised in California, got his first laps in a race car on Northern California tracks, graduated from UC Berkley, and many of his immediate family members reside in California. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1186434>
Kurt Busch said his team tried something different at California. It worked, as he earned his fifth pole and will lead the field to the green in Sunday's Sony HD 500. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1186930>
Busch Series Kasey Kahne wins Ameriquest 300 on pit strategy. - Spydertrader <img src=http://www.elitetrader.com/vb/attachment.php?s=&postid=1187741>
Speed Channel plans to broadcast Qualifying for The Sony HD 500 Nextel Cup Series Race from California Speedway - on Friday at 6:00 PM Eastern Time. This weekend's racing schedule: Formula One Italy Grand Prix - Speed Channel 7:30 AM Eastern Time Nextel Cup Chevy Rock and Roll 400 - TNT Saturday 7:00 PM Eastern Time Busch Series Emerson Radio 250 - TNT Friday 7:30 PM Eastern Time Craftsman Truck Series Off Week IRL PEAK Antifreeze Indy 300 presented by Mr. Clean - ABC Sports 1:30 PM Eastern Time "No, no, he didn't slam you, he didn't bump you, he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you. And rubbin', son, is racin'. " - Spydertrader