Heading into Reading, all 40 NHRA Countdown to the championship qualifiers are mathematically capable of emerging as series champion although some have a better chance than others. However, this weekend’s NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals in Reading, Pa., will play a pivotal role in elimination of some of the contenders.

The make or break line is a 300 point deficit after the event.

There are currently four Countdown participants, who unless they win this weekend’s event, are in danger of elimination. Those drivers on the bubble are David Hope [330], Craig Treble [327], Karen Stoffer [307] in Pro Stock Bike and David Grubnic [324] in Top Fuel.

Heading into Reading, all 40 NHRA Countdown to the championship qualifiers are mathematically capable of emerging as series champion although some have a better chance than others. However, this weekend’s NHRA Toyo Tires Nationals in Reading, Pa., will play a pivotal role in elimination of some of the contenders.

The make or break line is a 300 point deficit after the event.

There are currently four Countdown participants, who unless they win this weekend’s event, are in danger of elimination. Those drivers on the bubble are David Hope [330], Craig Treble [327], Karen Stoffer [307] in Pro Stock Bike and David Grubnic [324] in Top Fuel.

Following the Las Vegas Nationals later this month, the elimination line will drop to 150.

The potential of a national record this weekend and the extra 50 points awarded could be enough to pull a racer out of elimination status, for now.

"We definitely could see a national record in Reading," said Stoffer, who set the record earlier this year in Gainesville, Fla. Andrew Hines lowered the mark to a 6.815 seconds last month at the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis.

"The track there is always in good shape and the Weather Channel is saying it's going to be nice and cool, which is a really good recipe for quick times.

"The Countdown to 1 has been wild and we're only halfway through it at this point. I think if you factor in the potential for a national record this weekend and, if the moons line up just right, another chance at a national record in Pomona at the end of the season that you really can’t count anyone out just yet. We're certainly not giving up until Sunday night in California when they tell us it's over."

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