NHRA - National Hot Rod Association

Fifteen more drivers among the four NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series classes clinched their berths in the 2022 Countdown to the Championship based on their performances at the Menards NHRA Nationals presented by PetArmor.

Mike Salinas, Justin Ashley, and reigning world champ Steve Torrence all punched their tickets for the big dance in Topeka, joining previously clinched points leader Brittany Force on the board.

In Funny Car, 16-time NHRA world champ John Force and race winner Bob Tasca III locked in their championship hopes at Heartland Motorsports Park, joining Robert Hight, Matt Hagan, and reigning world champ Ron Capps.

Top Fuel and Funny Car teams have two races left in their regular season: the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals in Brainerd next weekend and the Dodge Power Brokers NHRA U.S. Nationals over Labor Day weekend. Drivers in all four Camping World 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.

There are 325 points left on the table in both Top Fuel and Funny Car at the remaining two events. [Current points standings]

The situation is a little more dire in both Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, which do not compete in Brainerd. Just 195 points are available for any driver to improve their standing.

In Topeka, Kyle Koretsky and reigning world champ Greg Anderson both assured themselves spots in the Pro Stock Countdown battle, joining Erica Enders and Aaron Stanfield in the championship hunt.

Eight Pro Stock Motorcycle riders locked up their Countdown berths in Topeka (and also became the first eight to clinch), led by points leader Joey Gladstone, the winner of the last two events, as well as 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.

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)

Still in the hunt (* = currently eligible to compete based on qualifying-run provision)
Cruz Pedregon (*)
Alexis DeJoria (*)
Tim Wilkerson (*)
Jim Campbell (*)
Chad Green
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