NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

After two thrilling events to open it, the 2016 Countdown to the Championship continues this weekend at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading. With points tight in all four categories and a fall forecast that has the potential to once again produce the big-time numbers that Reading fans have become accustomed to seeing, the Dodge NHRA Nationals will be another exciting, action-packed race that could play a major role in who earns the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.

Last year, Antron Brown (Top Fuel) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) aided their championship runs when they drove to victory at Maple Grove. They were joined in the winner’s circle by Jack Beckman in Funny Car and Chris McGaha in Pro Stock.

Here’s a look at some of this year’s major storylines:

Trying to weather the conditions
If there is one constant when it comes to the annual trip to Maple Grove, it’s that crew chiefs don’t entirely know what to expect when they get there. Forecasts seem to change daily, and the Reading event has had everything from very cool conditions that can and do produce records to warm, sunny ones, and tuners will need to be ready for any variety of conditions that could pop up across the three days. This year’s forecast is more of the cool, record-setting variety with, unfortunately, a chance of rain each day, and that means drivers will need to be prepared in qualifying to perhaps do things they normally would not, such as pedaling on a tire-shaking pass, in case qualifying attempts are limited.

Another Funny Car milestone?
With the cool, cloudy conditions expected this weekend, everyone is buzzing about record potential across the classes, but one area of particular focus, as it has been for much of the season, is Funny Car performances. The incoming national record is 3.822, set by Matt Hagan (pictured) in Brainerd, and after the former champ posted the time, talk immediately began surrounding the potential for the first 3.7-second run in history. Is it possible? Opinions are varied on that question, but the one thing everyone agrees on is that if it is going to happen, everything needs to align perfectly. Weather and track conditions need to be there, which is certainly a possibility in Reading, and a crew chief and driver will need to put together the perfect run at every increment down the track.

A 200-mph ticket finally?
Another milestone that has been a focus for a couple of years is that elusive 200-mph pass in Pro Stock Motorcycle. Like the 3.7 in Funny Car, hitting 200 is going to require a perfect alignment of conditions and tune-up, but it seems to be within reach more than the 3.7. There have been 10 199-mph runs, including the 199.88-mph shot recorded by Hector Arana Jr. in Charlotte in the spring of 2015. A leap of .22-mph seems within reach, especially at Maple Grove Raceway, a track many speculated would have produced the 200-mph run had the Pro Stock Motorcycle final between Andrew Hines and Eddie Krawiec been completed in Reading in 2012. At that event, the two quickest runs in history were recorded, as was the fourth quickest, and if Mother Nature hadn’t literally rained on the final-round parade, some speculated the conditions may have been there for a big speed as well.

Points, points, points
St. Louis created a big shake-up in the points, and all four championship contests are still close, with several drivers legitimately in contention for this year’s big trophy. It’s unlikely that will still be the case once we leave Reading. This is the halfway point for the Countdown to the Championship, meaning time is running out for those who need to make a move. Following this weekend, several drivers, though not mathematically eliminated, will be for all intents and purposes out of the championship hunt. A big performance here could also allow a driver at or near the top to begin to pull away and put himself or herself in prime position heading into the final three events.

The return of a champion
A familiar face will make his way back to the Top Fuel ranks this weekend. Former world champion Larry Dixon will make his first NHRA appearance of the season, wheeling the Rapisarda entry that was recently piloted by Wayne Newby, who had to return to Australia due to business obligations. Though Dixon has not driven in NHRA competition this season, he did drive for the Rapisarda team in Australia earlier this year, meaning he is quite comfortable with the group. Add in how well the Rapisarda car has been running — Newby drove it to a semifinal finish in Charlotte — and this team with Dixon can be a real threat to the Countdown players this weekend.

Track records
Top Fuel
3.701 seconds by Antron Brown, October 2012
334.15 mph by Shawn Langdon, October 2012

Funny Car
3.897 seconds by Jack Beckman, October 2015
329.54 mph by Robert Hight, October 2015

Pro Stock
6.465 seconds by Erica Enders, October 2014
214.59 mph by Greg Anderson, October 2015

Pro Stock Motorcycle
6.728 seconds by Andrew Hines, October 2012
198.73 mph by Andrew Hines, October 2012

Schedule
NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds Friday, Sept. 30, at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. and two rounds of qualifying Saturday, Oct. 1, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for noon Sunday, Oct. 2.

Tickets
Call 610-856-9200 or log on to MapleGroveRaceway.com.

Television
FOX Sports 1 (FS1) will televise one hour of live qualifying coverage at 6 p.m. (all times ET) on Friday, Sept. 30; one hour of qualifying coverage at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2; and three hours of live finals coverage at 2 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2.