The major part of the American drag racing has reached its crucial phase. There are 14 events behind and after 18 races top 10 drivers in each class will advance into the final segment of the playoffs and compete for the title at the season's final six races. Let’s analyse the current situation.
Top Fuel
Doug Kalitta still has a lead in the championship standings. Even in spite of the fact that during the last event held in Denver he had to “put down arms” in the first elimination round — he was defeated by Antron Brown. Then again, Brown, who is now Kalitta’s nearest chaser in the championship, advanced not much further — he was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Top Fuel favourites showed a rather lacklustre performance in Denver. Shawn Langdon, Tony Schumacher, Steve Torrence, and Spencer Massey, coming right after the two leaders in the overall standings, could not make it even to the semifinals. Moreover, the seven-time champion Tony Schumacher suffered technical issues and was sensationally defeated by rookie driver Jenna Haddock in the first round of the competitions.
J.R. Todd and Brittany Force met in the final round. The daughter of the legendary John Force was again one step away from scoring her first victory, however, in the final round she was defeated by J.R. who celebrated his first career NHRA win over the last couple of years. These two drivers are taking the 7th and 8th positions in the champion standings, while Khalid alBalooshi and Richie Crampton complete the top 10 drivers who will get a chance to go into the playoffs after 18 races.
Funny Car
Robert Hight is actually dominating in Funny Car class this season. He earned his fifth win of the season in Devener — no other driver in this or other classes was able to achieve similar results this year. In the final round he defeated John Force — the 16-time champion is second in the championship standings as well.
Ron Capps makes the top three in Funny Car point standings. Tommy Johnson Jr., who has progressed a lot in the second part of the season, is coming right after him. Fifth and sixth positions are occupied by female drivers — Courtney Force and Alexis DeJoria.
Matt Hagan, Cruz Pedregon, Del Worsham, and Tim Wilkerson complete the top 10. Then again, Jack Beckman and Bob Tasca, rather decent drivers, do not make it to the final part of the championship so far. It means that the fight for a chance to get into the playoffs promises to be very hot in Funny Car class.
Pro Stock
Allen Johnson has proved once again that he is an expert on the track in Denver by scoring another victory on this dragstrip in Pro Stock class last weekend. In the final round, he defeated his teammate Jeg Coughlin Jr. The latter take the second and third positions in the championship standings, while Erica Enders-Stevens still has a lead in this class. It seems like Erica is determined to become the first female driver in NHRA history to win in Pro Stock class.
Jason Line, Dave Connolly, Vincent Nobile, Shane Gray, Chris McGaha, V. Gaines, and Jonathan Gray, who complete the top 10 at the moment, are going to compete with Erica.
Greg Anderson, who missed several first races this season, still has a chance to force his way into the top 10. He is gradually making his way up the championship table and is taking 11th position after the race in Denver.
The upcoming events will become crucial in determining the list of candidates for the championship title. The Countdown to the Championship, which is actually the final segment of the playoffs, will start after 18 races. Top 10 drivers in each class will compete for the ultimate title. Next NHRA event will be held next weekend — after the race in Denver participants head to Sonoma and one week later the race will run in Seattle. Hot times in NHRA!