NHRA's new playoff format turns also-rans into title contenders

The NHRA held a big news conference a few weeks ago to preview the final race before the series' new playoff system, the Countdown to the Championship.

All the Top Fuel drivers who were considered in the hunt for the eight Countdown berths participated. Doug Herbert, 11th in the standings, wasn't invited.

"Nobody gave me a chance," said Herbert, who was 53 points out of eighth place at the time. "It was motivation. We went out and threw a big Hail Mary pass and got in.

"And it's still motivating me now. I've got something to prove."

Herbert made the "playoffs," which begin this weekend at Indianapolis, with a huge comeback last week in Reading, Pa. He won the event, his first victory since 2004, while three of his chief competitors were eliminated in the first few rounds. Everything happened exactly as it had to, and Herbert beat the odds.

He's closer to first place now than he was to eighth place three weeks ago.

"The system really helped me," Herbert said. "How great is that?"

It's great if you're in the business of making the end of the season more exciting. The NHRA saw that the Chase for the Nextel Cup, started by NASCAR in 2004, made it more likely that the championship wouldn't be decided until the final race. So the top level of drag racing concocted its own playoff system.

All teams still compete in the final six events, but only the top eight drivers can win the title. The NHRA's version eliminates competitors as it goes along. After the next four events _ the third of which is the O'Reilly Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex in Ennis (Sept. 20-23) _ only the top four drivers in each category can claim the championship. The best driver from that group after the final two events wins the trophy.

Herbert sounded like a football coach in describing what's to come.

"This is the playoffs now," he said. "There's no more fumbles. If you make a mistake now, you're done. I'm excited more than I've been in years."

Tony Schumacher is also excited, but he's not fully endorsing this format. Schumacher had the old system figured out and had won three consecutive Top Fuel championships in various ways. He made one of the greatest comebacks in the sport's history in 2006, setting a national elapsed time record on the final pass of the season to leapfrog Doug Kalitta and win the title. Schumacher has also won by clinching with several events to spare.

The Countdown resembles the Chase in that the leaders in the four divisions _ Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycles _ are reset to 2,070 points with each of the following seven qualifiers placed 10 points behind the preceding driver. Like a restart after a caution flag in track racing, it creates competition and fan excitement.

In Schumacher's case, he moves within only 10 points of leader Rod Fuller. He's thankful the system helped him get closer to a championship but wonders how he would feel should he win the title again.

"My first championship, we won because we were consistent all season," Schumacher said. "When you stand on a podium and get a trophy, I hope you've earned it. If I win this year, I'll enjoy the money and winning four in a row, but will I feel whole about it? I'm not sure.

"I don't mind them getting down to eight people, but deciding it in the final two races? God forbid the belt comes off or something and you're not going to be champion because of a 50-cent part failing."

That could happen. And maybe that's one thing the NHRA could tinker with after this season, depending on how things go. But unpredictability is a staple of the playoffs. Wild-card teams win World Series and Super Bowls. That's part of what makes the postseason fun. It's good that drag racing drivers, teams and fans get a chance to experience it now, too.

NHRA STANDINGS

Driver points were reset in 10-point increments. The contenders will be reduced to four after the next four races.

TOP FUEL

Driver . . . Pts.

Rod Fuller . . . 2,070

Tony Schumacher . . . 2,060

Larry Dixon . . .2,050

Brandon Bernstein . . .2,040

J.R. Todd . .. 2,030

Bob Vandergriff Jr. . . . 2,020

Whit Bazemore . . . 2,010

Doug Herbert . . . 2,000

FUNNY CAR

Driver . .. Pts.

Ron Capps . . . 2,070

Robert Hight . . .2,060

John Force . . .2,050

Tony Pedregon . . . 2,040

Jack Beckman . . . 2,030

Mike Ashley . . . 2,020

Gary Scelzi . . .2,010

Jim Head . . . 2,000

PRO STOCK

Driver . .. Pts.

Greg Anderson . . . 2,070

Dave Connolly . .. 2,060

Jeg Coughlin . . .2,050

Allen Johnson . .. 2,040

Jason Line . . . 2,030

Kurt Johnson . . . 2,020

Warren Johnson . .. 2,010

Larry Morgan . . .. 2,000

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE