Countdown to the Championship

It has been a little while since my last blog. I have been on Vacation in California, and while there I looked for work so we could move back to be closer to our families. I did get the job and I will be moving in September right after the US Nationals in Indianapolis, IN. Jeni will follow come December. Now on to the NHRA.

I am very excited to be attending the "57th Annual Mac Tools Us Nationals" at the Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis, IN. This is one of the longest running NHRA Events within the NHRA and a Big one. They also call it the "BIG GO". The US Nationals is the last stop before the "Countdown to the Championship" begins. If you're not in the top 10 by the end of the US Nationals, then you won't have a chance to win the 2011 Championship. The points are gathered throughout the year at each event. Points are attained by qualifying, rounds won in eliminations, and special bonus points on each of the 4 qualifying attempts for best of the 3 of each round.

So far in the Top Ten for Top Fuel, there are 5 drivers that have clinched a spot to go on the win the Championship. In Order are 1. Del Worsham 2. Spencer Massey 3. Antron Brown 4. Tony Schumacher and 5. Larry Dixon. There are 5 spots left in the Top Ten in which a few more will be clinched in Brainerd. Rounding out the Top Ten is 6. Doug Kalitta 7. Brandon Bernstein 8. Shawn Langdon 9. Morgan Lucan and 10. David Grubnic. There are 2 more drivers looking into getting in the top ten not too far behind in the points. Terry McMillen is 11th and only 18 points (1 Round) from making it in, and Bob Vandergriff is 12th, only 39 points (2 Rounds) from making it in. This weekend in Brainerd is very crucial and you better be bringing your "A" Game if you want to be a part of the "Countdown to the Championship"

In Fuel Funny Car, there are 4 drivers who have clinched a spot in the Countdown. 1. Mike Neff 2. Robert Hight 3. Jack Beckman and 4. Cruz Pedregon. Rounding out the top ten are 5. Matt Hagan 6. Ron Capps 7. John Force 8. Jeff Arend 9. Tim Wilkerson and 10. Bob Tasca III. Outside looking in are 11. Johnny Gray who is 95 points back and 12. Tony Pedregon who is 119 points behind. Most of the Fuel Funny Car drivers could clinch a spot in Brainerd this weekend.

Pro Stock Cars 7 drivers have clinched a spot in the Top Ten. 1. Jason Line 2. Greg Anderson 3. Mike Edwards 4. Vincent Nobile 5. Erica Enders 6. Allen Johnson and 7. Rodger Brogdon. Rounding out the top ten are 8. Greg Stanfield 9. Shane Gray and 10. Ron Krisher. There are 3 more Pro Stock drivers that are close to getting into the top ten. 11. Larry Morgan is 31 points back 12. Ronnie Humphrey is 43 points back and 13. V Gaines is 80 points back.

Pro Stock Motorcycle Karen Stoffer and Eddie Krawiec have clinched the playoff spots. 1. Karen Stoffer 2. Eddie Krawiec 3. LE Tonglet 4. Andrew Hines 5. Matt Smith 6. Hector Arana 7. Michael Phillips 8. Gerald Savoie 9. James Underdahl and 10. Hector Arana Jr. Outside looking in are 11. David Hope is 51 points back 12. Chip Ellis is 56 points back 13. Steve Johnson and Angie Smith are 77 points back. Still a close race there to the Top Ten.

These next 2 NHRA Events are very important to getting into the "Countdown to the Championship" I wish everyone the best and I have enjoyed this years competition to the fullest. This year has been a great year, and I am looking forward to the Countdown Race.

We have a lot of the Nitro Twitter Group attending Indy this year, and I have been blessed to be a part of the Top Alcohol News Team to interview drivers in the Alcohol Class plus drivers in the Nitro Class who have come up from the ranks of Alcohol. I will add a list of people we are interviewing as soon as it is available. I'd like to thank @NitroNate for asking me to be a part of this great opportunity.

Also last but not least, I would like to thank Rob at Castrol for for sending the Nitro Twitter Group all the Swag to be given out to the NTG in Indy. Castrol and John Force Racing has been a big supporter in helping the NTG out. Also, Terry McMillen has been a Very Big Part of the NTG, as he welcomes us into his Hospitality, mentions us in his interviews, and he says that He is our "Poster Child", in which we love so much. Team Kallita is always there also. They welcome us into their hospitality, we take special pictures behind the scenes with the drivers and cars, and have given us great support along the way. One more to mention is Vincent Nobile. He is a making in history with his Pro Stock Car. He has the NTG Decal displayed over the rear fender of his Mountain View Race car, and always gives the NTG a great welcome. Thank you All, and see you in Indy.