WHAT:
The NHRA POWERade Series’ new playoff system, announced in August
2006 and debuting in 2007.
WHEN:
The Countdown is in play during the entire season, with three
distinct tiers in which the field of eligible drivers in each pro
category is reduced to eight, then four and finally one champion.
WHERE:
The Countdown can be followed in person at any one of the 21 NHRA
POWERade Series tracks across the country, from Southern California to
New York and virtually everywhere in between. And all 23 races (Las
Vegas and Pomona host two events each) can be seen on ESPN2 and ESPN2
HD, which telecasts all of the NHRA POWERade Series races in high
definition to more than 91 million households.
HOW IT WORKS:
The Countdown is composed of three distinct tiers called the Countdown
to 8, the Countdown to 4 and the Countdown to 1.
* Countdown to 8 is essentially a 17-race “regular season” in which the
full-field of drivers in each pro category is reduced to eight who
remain eligible for the 2007 POWERade Series world championship. These
top eight drivers in each class will have their points adjusted in
10-point increments with 2,070 to first place and 2,000 to eighth place.
The “regular season” will begin at the CARQUEST Auto Parts
Winternationals Feb. 8-11 in Pomona and end at the Toyo Tires Nationals
Aug. 16-19 in Reading, Pa.
* Countdown to 4 is a four-race “first-round playoff” in which the field
of eight remaining drivers eligible for the championship is reduced to
four. These top four drivers in each class will have their points
adjusted so there are only 30 points separating first from fourth with
3,030 for first and 3,000 for eighth. The “first-round playoffs” will
begin at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Aug. 29-Sept. 3 in Indianapolis
and end at the Torco Racing Fuels Nationals Oct. 5-7 in Richmond, Va.
* Countdown to 1 is a two-race “championship” in which the field of four
remaining drivers eligible for the championship is reduced to 1, the
POWERade Series world champion. The two races to crown the champion are
the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals Oct. 25-28 in Las Vegas and the Auto
Club Finals Nov. 1-4 in Pomona.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
* The Countdown to the Championship will allow more drivers than ever
before to legitimately compete for an NHRA POWERade Series world
championship.
* The final six events will include full fields in a traditional
elimination format.
* The average margin of victory over the past seven years (2000-06) in
the NHRA POWERade Series’ three classes that run full 23-race schedules
has been: Top Fuel, 256.5; Funny Car, 221.3; and Pro Stock, 378.7.
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Media Note: Additional information is available at the following locations:
teamjegs.com
jegs.com
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