Even fictional boxer Rocky Balboa, a character made famous by Sylvester Stallone, would have been envious of Scott Palmer. 

Palmer, the likable Top Fuel driver who is a throwback of days gone by in fuel racing, stands on the cusp of something many hoped for but didn't believe possible. 

If the regular season ended today, Palmer and his Cat Spot Litter-sponsored dragster would be in the Countdown to the Championship with a mathematical chance to win a world championship. 

The dream is incredible for Palmer, who holds nearly a four round point lead over No. 11 ranked Shawn Langdon with three races to go.  

“This is a big opportunity,” Palmer said. “Getting into the Countdown would be like winning a championship for us. It’s the most important thing ever right now and it’s the most important thing racing-wise that’s happened to anyone on this team. This team is Rocky Balboa and we’re fighting Apollo Creed. There’s some incredible teams out here, but we’re still going to keep fighting.” 

Palmer, unlike days with tighter finances, has shown his mettle with extra funding and help from Torrence Racing. 

Palmer, who has five round wins in 2017, expects to see major challenges from each over the course of the next few races.

“This is very exciting for us,” Palmer said. “I talked to Tommy (Thompson) and he told me to do everything I need to in order to give myself the best chance of making the Countdown. We’re trying to fight off two Kalitta (Motorsports) cars and that’s a tough task we’re up against. They’re going to be throwing the kitchen sink at it to try to get in, but I think we’re headed in the right direction. It’s just very important that we continue our good runs and make runs to the finish line.”

At this point in the game, consistency is Palmer's greatest approach. 

“The key for us in Seattle is the same as always and that’s making it to the finish line clean,” Palmer said. “I still think you make your own luck. If you go down the track a lot it makes people have to think about you. We’ve done a good job. We’re trying to go a little faster but we can’t get carried away. The key is making a good run on Friday and putting ourselves in a better qualifying position. We’ll get a little more aggressive on Friday, but that’s going to be our only change.”