New countdown points system announced (1 Viewer)

[Rudos1]

NHRA announces changes to Countdown to the Championship points structure

In 2020, competitors in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series may earn their way into the Countdown to the Championship, NHRA’s version of the playoffs, by one of two ways.

www.nhra.com

 

[none]

The Billy Torrence rule

 

[Chili]

The Billy Torrence rule

Well not really. More like the Scott Palmer/Cruz Pedregon rule. Those two ran all the events through Indy in 2019 and were not part of the countdown. This year they would be part of it. Torrence and Salinas both skipped races and qualified for the top 10. You still don’t have to run all the events to make the countdown.

 

[SundayNiagara]

Looks like NHRA doesn't care about costs?

 

[Dave]

It's basically saying, hey you aren't really good, but you showed up to all our races and we appreciate it, so try for a championship. Which, nobody is going to be a first round loser for 18 events and all of a sudden beat the best of the best to win a title.

 

[Nitro Cane]

All run show in the Countdown. Show up and you're in !!

 

[mick]

and amalie/mcmillen........ AND teams can still save $500k, make the C, and maybe double their money with a championship!
i'm tellin' ya', the finals should be in vegas

 

[SoCal Racer]

Still think the 4-wide races should not count toward championship points, as those are won more on luck than skill and are more exhibitions than competitions. That would take two events off the table for lesser-funded points chasers and ease the financial burden without a points risk. Although that might make those races poorly attended by bucks-up teams as well...

 

[Pete]

So what happens if #11 (McMillen) runs all races, but #10 (Torrence) runs 17...does that means they swap spots? With the point adjustment in the countdown, it would have to

 

[Dave]

So what happens if #11 (McMillen) runs all races, but #10 (Torrence) runs 17...does that means they swap spots? With the point adjustment in the countdown, it would have to

They are both in... if you can run 5 races and still be top 10 in points, you are in. Top 10 PLUS anyone who runs 2 qualifying sessions and all the races. You could have as little as 10 and as many as 20+ in the countdown. But they only recognize 10 at the banquet. I don't know how the season payout structure works, likely still just the top 10 there as well.

 

[Jeff]

drivers who compete at all 18 events in the regular season and run a minimum of two qualifying sessions at each event will also earn their place in the playoffs.

What if no one made the countdown... or everyone did... make all the races and make 2 qualifiers you are in? Potentially a 20 car countdown... WTF... just give everyone a fricken trophy...

Damm, Dave treed me...

 

[Dave]

But again, just because guys like Cruz, Palmer, Kenny Delco, etc make the full pull and get their points reset, they are STILL not going to win the championship, it just gives them the opportunity to still make the top 10 and potentially a monetary bonus.

 

[camaro]

i believe little League baseball/soccer has a similar rule called 'participation trophy's'

 

[ironpony]

just make everyone reset to zero after Indy and let them go, six race countdown to the championship.

 

[Cliff]

How about all Q done on Sat, 3 runs each. Would save the cost of 4th run. If a driver DNQ's, still gets the points for making the 2 Q runs & could in theory still run for the championship. BTW, this would keep The Greek from running for the championship, as he doesn't run that many races & usually only makes 2 Q runs.

 

[ironpony]

How about all Q done on Sat, 3 runs each. Would save the cost of 4th run. If a driver DNQ's, still gets the points for making the 2 Q runs & could in theory still run for the championship. BTW, this would keep The Greek from running for the championship, as he doesn't run that many races & usually only makes 2 Q runs.

Friday night exhibition, never are race conditions anyway, 2 runs Saturday and done.

 

[T.Smith]

i believe little League baseball/soccer has a similar rule called 'participation trophy's'

Your keyboard participation trophy is in the mail.

 

[PJ]

Sooooo just about everyone makes the playoffs now. Let's just call WinterNationals through Indy the exhibition season since it doesn't much matter. Followed by a six race season.

 

[ironpony]

The new participation trophy will be called Willy's, first loser down gets one.

 

[Rat]