With just three (Two for Motorcycles) races remaining before the 2016 NHRA Mellow Yellow Countdown to the Championship, some of the slots in the point standings have already been clinched. However, other spots between drivers are separated by just six points. Each series is broke down below.
Top Fuel: Pritchett and McMillen locked in for race for 10th position
The positions both above and below the pair of drivers stand over 100 points away respectively, which leaves the Top Fuel Class with a battle for the 10th and final position. Leah Pritchett has gone just one round further than Terry McMillen over the past five races so it certainly looks to be an even battle for the last spot.
Top Fuel Playoff Bubble
10. Leah Pritchett 586/+33
—–Cut Line—–
11. Terry McMillen 553/-33
Funny Car: Playoff Field almost set in Funny Car Field
As Alexis De Joria has a 150 point lead over Chad Head with three events remaining, it seems inevitable that the playoff field will remain the same bearing an unexpected miracle. De Joria can look at trying to catch Wilkerson who is 62 points ahead of for 9th.
Chad Head was having a great start to his 2016 season, advancing past the first round during his first three of four races, however would not be able to do that again until just last week at Sonoma.
Funny Car Playoff Bubble
9. Tim Wilkerson 827/+212
10. Alexis De Joria 765/+150
—–Cut Line—–
11. Chad Head 615/-150
12. Cruz Pedragon 567/-198
Pro Stock: Four Drivers within 100 points for Final Spots
Chris McGaha leads the pack of four drivers trying to find the last three spots in the Countdown to the Championship with just three events to go. Thanks to his hot streak of advancing to the 2nd round in each of the past three races, he finds himself 100 points above the bubble.
However, the other three drivers are seperated by just 26 points, meaning Pro Stock Qualifying will be something to look at for the next three weeks.
Pro Stock Playoff Bubble
8. Chris McGaha 718/+100
9. Jed Coughlin 644/+26
10. Alex Laughlin 627/+9
—–Cut Line—–
11. Erica Enders 618/-9
Pro Stock Motorcycle: Understandibly, the most competitive Class
The Pro Stock Motorcycle class is by far the most competitive of the four, which is understandable considering they have only seven events under the schedule while the rest of the series has 14 tracks under their belts.
Matt Smith holds a big lead on the bubble while the three drivers from 9-11 are within 11 points of each other. Again, this means qualifying will be a huge factor for the playoffs when the Motorcycle season returns on August 18th at Brainerd.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Playoff Bubble
8. Matt Smith 344/+50
9. Hector Arana Jr. 305/+11
10. Steve Johnson 300/+6
—–Cut Line—–
11. Michael Ray 294/-6
12. Karen Stoffer 275/-25
13. Cory Reed 249/-51
14. Scott Pollacheck 234/-66
15. James Underdahl 228/-72
So, of course this weekend’s biggest races in terms of playoff decider’s will be the results of Erica Enders in an effort to get back into playoff contention. Fans can catch all the action from the ProtectTheHarvest.com Northwest Nationals on Fox Sports 1 throughout the weekend.
