NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Four more Funny Car drivers clinched their berths in the 2022 Countdown to the Championship based on their performances at the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd.

J.R. Todd, Alexis DeJoria, Cruz Pedregron, and Tim Wilkerson all locked in their championship hopes at Heartland Motorsports Park, joining Robert Hight, Matt Hagan, reigning world champ Ron Capps, John Force, and Bob Tasca III.

Top Fuel's list remained at four with Brittany Force, Mike Salinas, Justin Ashley, and Steve Torrence having punched their tickets for the big dance.

As in Top Fuel, only four spots have been clinched so far in Pro Stock, with Erica Enders, Aaron Stanfield, Kyle Koretsky, and reigning world champ Greg Anderson already locked in for the championship hunt.

Eight Pro Stock Motorcycle riders have locked up their Countdown berths, led by points leader Joey Gladstone, past world championship teammates Angelle Sampey and Eddie Krawiec, Steve Johnson, the husband-and-wife duo of Matt and Angie Smith, Jerry Savoie, and Karen Stoffer.

Just the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend. remains before the fields for the playoffs are set. Drivers in all four NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series classes are eligible for the Countdown either by finishing in the Top 10 of points for their class or by making the required number of qualifying passes at each regular-season event.

The Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals featured a bonus points system that awards 50% more points than previous events, which should make for a wild showdown in Indy.

The biggest battle will be in Funny Car, where Chad Green will try to hold onto the 10th and final spot. Jim Campbel sits 11th but, assuming he makes the required qualifying runs at the U.S Nationals, will make the Countdown regardless of the qualifying provision. Green and 12th-ranked Blake Alexander will have to make the field on points alone.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Ryan Oehler is in a similar situation to Campbell; he currently sits 10th anyway but would qualify even if 11th-place Jim Underdahl or No. 12 Chris Bostiock were to pass him in points.

The 2022 Countdown to the Championship begins Sept. 15-18 with the Pep Boys NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Pennsylvania and concludes at the Auto Club NHRA Finals Nov. 10-13 at Southern California’s Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.

Here's a look at the current fields, along with the name of the event where each driver clinched their Countdown berth, as well as sublists of all drivers with a mathematical chance to finish in the Top 10 and/or qualify for the Countdown based on qualifying participation:

TOP FUEL 

1. Brittany Force (Seattle)
2. Mike Salinas (Topeka)
3. Justin Ashley (Topeka)
4. Steve Torrence (Topeka)

Still in the hunt (all also currently eligible to compete based on qualifying-run provision)
Josh Hart
Leah Pruett
Shawn Langdon
Doug Kalitta
Tony Schumacher
Antron Brown
Clay Millican
Austin Prock

FUNNY CAR

1. Robert Hight (Sonoma)
2. Matt Hagan (Seattle)
3. Ron Capps (Seattle)
4. John Force (Topeka)
5. Bob Tasca III (Topeka)
6. Cruz Pedregon
7. J.R. Todd
8. Alexis DeJoria
9. Tim Wilkerson

Still in the hunt (* = currently eligible to compete based on qualifying-run provision)
Chad Green
Jim Campbell (*)
Blake Alexander

PRO STOCK

1. Erica Enders (Sonoma)
2. Aaron Stanfield (Seattle)
3. Kyle Koretsky (Topeka)
4. Greg Anderson (Topeka)'

Still in the hunt (all also currently eligible to compete based on qualifying-run provision)
Troy Coughlin Jr.
Dallas Glenn 
Mason McGaha
Camrie Caruso
Matt Hartford
Bo Butner
Fernando Cuadra Jr.
Deric Kramer
Cristian Cuadra
Chris McGaha
Fernando Cuadra Sr.

PRO STOCK MOTORCYCLE

1. Joey Gladstone (Topeka)
2. Angelle Sampey (Topeka)
3. Eddie Krawiec (Topeka)
4. Steve Johnson (Topeka)
5. Matt Smith (Topeka)
6. Angie Smith (Topeka)
7. Jerry Savoie (Topeka)
8. Karen Stoffer (Topeka)

Still in the hunt (* = currently eligible to compete based on qualifying-run provision)
Marc Ingwersen
Ryan Oehler (*)
Jim Underdahl
Chris Bostick