WITH TWO RACES REMAINING IN THE NHRA POWERADE COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP, RULES AND POLICIES HIGHLIGHTED
In the inaugural season of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship, NHRA highlights rules that will shape the final two stages
GLENDORA, Calif. (Aug. 9, 2007) – As competitors gear up for the final two events in the NHRA POWERade “Countdown to 8” to be held in Brainerd, Minn., and Reading, Pa., NHRA has highlighted rules and policies that will shape the “Countdown to 4” and “Countdown to 1” during the final months of the inaugural season of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship playoff-style format.
Specifically, NHRA explained tiebreaker methods, oildown policies for those competitors moving on in the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship and qualifying for the final six races of the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Season.
Tiebreaker Methods
NHRA’s current tiebreaker system will be utilized for all three stages of the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship. If a tie exists after the conclusion of the NHRA POWERade regular season (the first 17 races), it will be resolved using a stepped system. First, the driver with the most round wins through the first 17 races will win the tie. If a tie still exists, the driver with the most “head to head” victories over the deadlocked participant will advance. Finally, if a tie remains, the driver with the quickest average qualifying elapsed time from his or her ten best qualifying attempts will win the tie.
As the Countdown moves on, the same tiebreaker methodology will be used, but will be applied to only the four events in the “Countdown to 4” (Indianapolis, Memphis, Dallas and Richmond) or the two events in the “Countdown to 1” (Las Vegas and Pomona), as applicable.
Oildown Policy/Penalties
The current oildown policy and associated penalties continue to be in effect. However, in order to create a level playing field for the Top 8 teams in the “Countdown to 4”, which starts at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, each Countdown competitor will have his or her oildown credits re-adjusted to one (1) credit as it relates to points deductions during eliminations. Also, entering the “Countdown to 1” in Las Vegas, each of the Top Four teams will, once again, have their oildown credits re-adjusted to one (1) oildown credit as it relates to points deductions during eliminations.
Despite the credits for competitors qualifying for both the “Countdown to 4” and “Countdown to 1”, monetary fines will continue to be assessed as if no credits were given.
NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship Qualifying
Until the NHRA POWERade Countdown to the Championship reaches its final stage at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals and the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in Pomona , qualifying will maintain its current structure and format.
However, beginning with the “Countdown to 1,” if any of the Top 4 competitors are not afforded four (4) qualifying attempts during the event, due to unforeseen circumstances, but not team-related, and as a result do not qualify, the affected competitor or competitors will be seeded at the bottom of the 16-car field ladder based on their best elapsed time of the event.
Headquartered in Glendora , Calif. , NHRA is the primary sanctioning body for the sport of drag racing in the United States . It presents 23 national events through its NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series. NHRA has 80,000 members nationwide and 140 member tracks. NHRA-sanctioned sportsman and bracket racing series provide competition opportunities for drivers of all levels. NHRA develops the stars of tomorrow by offering the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, NHRA Xplod Sport Compact Racing Series, NHRA Summit Racing Series and NHRA Street Legal Drags presented by AAA. NHRA also offers the O’Reilly Auto Parts Jr. Drag Racing League for youths ages 8 to 17.
