Thursday, Oct. 26, 2006 | 7:59 a.m.
What: ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals
Where: The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
When: Today through Sunday
Tickets: $16 and up; 644-4444, www.lvms.com or ticketmaster.com.
Information: www.nhra.com
John Force has won 13 National Hot Rod Association Funny Car world championships under the current points system and is in contention to win another this year.
Strange as it may seem, however, Force said he is all in favor of the NHRA's new "Countdown to the Championship" format to determine the season champions in each of its four professional classes beginning in 2007.
Under the new elimination-type format, only the top eight drivers in points in each class after 17 races will be eligible to win a championship. The top four drivers in each class after 21 races will battle it out for championships in the final two races.
While many have criticized the format, which borrows from NASCAR's contrived "Chase for the Nextel Cup," Force said he believes the change will be good even though it will make it more difficult to win a championship.
The NHRA is trying to create an equal playing field so that the same driver doesn't win each year, Force said.
"We dominated for 13, 14 years. We got knocked off last year, but we've bounced right back up in the top of the points," he said. "The bottom line: They don't want to see the same guy.
"But we're going to be right in the hunt. All of that money that you invest to get into that top eight, we're going to be there just like we always have been. But ... when it goes to that (final) four, do you realize that on race day if a blower belt falls off, you're out of the points chase?"
You could make a strong argument that the NHRA doesn't need to manufacture drama for its championship battles. With two races remaining in the 2006 season, including this weekend's ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, tight races exist in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock Motorcycle. In Funny Car, Force holds a narrow 46-point lead over Ron Capps, while Force's son-in-law, Robert Hight, is only 56 points back in third place.
Only Pro Stock isn't close; Jason Line holds a 119-point edge over teammate Greg Anderson. Line could clinch his first championship this weekend in Las Vegas, but it is possible that all four world championships won't be decided until the final race of the season in two weeks in Pomona, Calif.
Force acknowledged that because of the attention NASCAR's new championship format brought to the stock-car series, it was only a matter of time before NHRA followed suit.
"Let's face it, if NASCAR does it, if it's good enough for the big brother, why not for us? We've set our goals chasing these kids, trying to get into that market," he said.
"We know that ESPN helped (NASCAR) to get to where they are today, and a great marketing strategy that they had over there, these guys are huge, and we're trying to tap into those crowds ... We're trying to go down that road."
Outlaws invasion
If you prefer to see racers go in circles instead of straight lines, the World of Outlaws Sprint Series returns to the dirt track at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for a two-night show Friday and Saturday.
Donny Schatz, who earned a feature win when the series stopped here in March, clinched the season championship last weekend in Tucson with his series-leading 16th feature win. Schatz, who has a track-record four wins at the speedway, still must show up this weekend to make his championship official.
"We're looking to win two more races," Schatz said of his mind-set coming into the final weekend of the 69-race season. "I've said all season I wasn't worrying about the championship and instead just wanting to win as many races as I could. The guy with the most wins is the one that will end the year with the championship."
Pit gates will open at 2 p.m. both days, spectator gates open at 6 p.m. and on-track activity begins at 6:15. Tickets, priced from $13 (children) and $25 (adults) plus tax, are available at the track, online at www.lvms.com or by calling 644-4444.
"I feel that it was just a fix to get one of the Team Australia cars up on the podium. I mean, it's so clear it's ridiculous."
Paul Tracy, on Champ Car World Series officials penalizing him twice in the closing laps Sunday in Australia, dropping him from second to fourth place and allowing fellow Las Vegas resident Alex Tagliani of Team Australia to finish third
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NHRA Funny Car victories for John Force in 11 races at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
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