The NHRA Countdown to the Championship has already treated race fans to dominant performances, record-breaking runs, incredible surprises, and changes at the top of the standings – and that’s just through three playoff races.
The second half of the six-race postseason in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series is set to begin at this weekend’s 37th annual Texas NHRA FallNationals at Texas Motorplex, kicking off a final three-race stretch that is sure to be incredible.
Following the annual stop in Dallas, the stars of Pro Stock Motorcycle head to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the NHRA Nevada Nationals on Oct. 27-30, with the Countdown to the Championship and the 2022 season wrapping up on Nov. 10-13 with the must-see Auto Club NHRA Finals at Auto Club Raceway at Pomona.
With a champion set to be crowned, tension and intensity will be at a fever-pitch heading into the final three races, with plenty of can’t-miss action set to take place in Dallas, Las Vegas, and Pomona across all categories. Here’s how the Pro Stock Motorcycle class stacks up at the midway point of the Countdown to the Championship.
The points lead has changed hands at each of the two playoff races in the two-wheeled category, setting the stage for what should be a wild final three events.
Going back to the regular season, the points lead has changed hands at the last six races in Pro Stock Motorcycle, with defending world champ Matt Smith jumping back on top with his stellar weekend in St. Louis, one that included track records and a career-best pass. But that lead stands at just 21 points over Joey Gladstone, who won in Reading and has been the points leader twice in the past six races.
Quite a battle is brewing between the veteran and the rising star, but there are others in the mix, including Angie Smith, who is 90 points back in third, as well as Eddie Krawiec, Steve Johnson, Jerry Savoie, and Angelle Sampey. Each rider is between 106-116 points behind M. Smith, but a hot final stretch could make for a wild finale in Pomona, which is a points-and-half race.
Pro Stock Motorcycle Points
1. Matt Smith, 2,290; 2. Joey Gladstone, 2,269; 3. Angie Smith, 2,200; 4. Eddie Krawiec, 2,184; 5. Steve Johnson, 2,183; 6. Jerry Savoie, 2,182; 7. Angelle Sampey, 2,174; 8. Marc Ingwersen, 2,138; 9. Karen Stoffer, 2,109; 10. Ryan Oehler, 2,088.
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