NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

With just three races left in the Countdown to the Championship, Antron Brown in Top Fuel and Ron Capps and Tommy Johnson Jr. in Funny Car have taken control of their respective battles.

After his win in Reading, Brown owns a four-round lead over Doug Kalitta while Johnson, with his Funny Car win, closed the gap on points leader Capps as both try to distance themselves from Jack Beckman and Matt Hagan, who occupy the two spots behind them.

Indy bureau chief John Kernan stopped by the teams' shops this week to learn just how important Reading was in those drivers' Countdown efforts.