NHRA shifts gears, opts for NASCAR-style playoffs for four divisions (USA Today)

Posted 8/30/2006 9:49 PM ET E-mail | Save | Print | By A.J. Perez, USA TODAY NHRA is sloughing off its current championship format and shifting toward a playoff system for its four professional divisions in 2007, series officials announced Wednesday. The NHRA Powerade "Countdown to the Championship" will function much like NASCAR's successful Race to the Chase. Drivers must be in the top eight after the Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals in Reading, Pa., on Aug. 19 — the 17th event of the season — ...