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
Driver . . . Pts.
Matt Smith . .. 2,070
Angelle Sampey . . . 2,060
Andrew Hines . .. 2,050
Karen Stoffer . . .2,040
Chip Ellis . . .2,030
Ed Krawiec . . . 2,020
Peggy Llewellyn . . . 2,010
Craig Treble . . .2,000
Team harmony?
Dario Franchitti's chances at winning the IndyCar Series championship took a hit on the road course last weekend at Infineon Raceway. And it was teammate Marco Andretti who delivered the blow.
Andretti was coming out of the pits with 12 laps to go and collided with Franchitti, who was leading the race and getting ready to add to his lead in the standings. The front wing on Franchitti's car was damaged, allowing Scott Dixon to pass him with seven laps left. The win vaulted Dixon four points ahead of Franchitti with two races left.
Andretti's top concern coming out of the pits had to be to avoid Franchitti. Someone from his crew, including his father and team owner Michael Andretti, had to make that clear. Andretti was trying to win, and that's understandable. But the bigger picture should have taken precedence as the season comes to a close.
He could learn something from teammate Tony Kanaan, who did not pass Franchitti in the final laps and held his line, essentially keeping Sam Hornish Jr. and Danica Patrick behind him. That allowed Franchitti to pick up a few more critical points.
Where's the race
Nextel Cup: Sharp Aquos 500, Fontana, Calif., 7 p.m. Sunday (ESPN)
NASCAR Busch: Camping World 300, Fontana, Calif., 9 p.m. Saturday (ESPN2)
Craftsman Trucks: Dodger Dealers Ram Tough 200, Madison, Ill., 4:30 p.m. Saturday
(Speed)
Champ Car: Bavaria Grand Prix, Assen, Netherlands, 6 a.m. Sunday (ESPN Classic)
IndyCar Series: Detroit Indy Grand Prix, 2:30 p.m. Sunday
NHRA: Mac Tools U.S. Nationals, Clermont, Ind., eliminations Monday (11 a.m., ESPN2)
Formula One Next race: Italian Grand Prix, Sept. 9, Monza
NASCAR NEXTEL CUP
Spotlight on: Sharp Aquos 500
TRACK: California Speedway is a two-mile oval with 14-degree banking in the turns. It's difficult to pass on the track, and drivers must be careful exiting Turn 2, where the track flattens pretty quickly.
DEFENDING CHAMPION: Kasey Kahne took the lead from Reed Sorenson with two laps left and held off Dale Earnhardt Jr. for the win. Matt Kenseth won the February race at the speedway.
Team harmony?
Dario Franchitti's chances at winning the IndyCar Series championship took a hit on the road course last weekend at Infineon Raceway. And it was teammate Marco Andretti who delivered the blow.
Andretti was coming out of the pits with 12 laps to go and collided with Franchitti, who was leading the race and getting ready to add to his lead in the standings. The front wing on Franchitti's car was damaged, allowing Scott Dixon to pass him with seven laps left. The win vaulted Dixon four points ahead of Franchitti with two races left.
Andretti's top concern coming out of the pits had to be to avoid Franchitti. Someone from his crew, including his father and team owner Michael Andretti, had to make that clear. Andretti was trying to win, and that's understandable. But the bigger picture should have taken precedence as the season comes to a close.
He could learn something from teammate Tony Kanaan, who did not pass Franchitti in the final laps and held his line, essentially keeping Sam Hornish Jr. and Danica Patrick behind him. That allowed Franchitti to pick up a few more critical points.
RICHARD DURRETT'S NEXTEL CUP RANKINGS
Rank . . . Driver (Prev.) . . . Comment
Jeff Gordon (1) . . . He's not finishing races well, but it doesn't matter yet
Tony Stewart (2) . . . Continues nice stretch run, jumps to 2nd in standings
Matt Kenseth (3) . . .Ended streak of 7 straight top-15s (39th at Bristol)
Jimmie Johnson (4) . . . First finish out of the top five in four races
Carl Edwards (7) . . . Great rebound season has him in the Chase
Kurt Busch (6) . . . 6th-place finish strengthens hold on 12th place
Denny Hamlin (5) . . . Needs to forget about last week and focus on Chase
Clint Bowyer (12) . . . Still hasn't won yet but looked good in third in Bristol
Kyle Busch (8) . . . Steadily earning top-15s and driving well
Martin Truex Jr. (9) . . . Ran 11th and near the front most of Saturday's race
Jeff Burton (10) . . . Five points behind Johnson, but 1 win to Johnson's 4
Kevin Harvick (11) . . . 15th or worse in his last four races
Dropped out: none
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