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A points lead that has changed hands five times in the past six races signals just how tight the racing has been in Top Fuel during the end of the regular season and the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs.
Known for incredible finishes over the years, this weekend’s 58th annual In-N-Out Burger NHRA Finals is shaping up to be one of the most historic in NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series history, especially in the Funny Car and Top Fuel ranks.
All Times Eastern Last race: Ryan Blaney raced to his first career NASCAR championship by banging his way past fellow contender and 2021 champion Kyle Larson in the closing laps at Phoenix Raceway to give Team Penske back-to-back Cup titles. Joey Logano won the title last year, and Ross Chastain won the race, becoming the first driver to win the season finale while not in contention for the championship. Next race: Feb. 4, Los Angeles (non-points race); Feb. 15, Daytona Beach, Florida.
Fast facts: Blaney joined 2021 series champion Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell as drivers who won their way into the Championship 4 while William Byron, the series leader with six victories this season, got in on points. The highest finisher among those four will be the champion. Regular season champion Martin Truex Jr. and Joe Gibbs Racing teammate Denny Hamlin, Chris Buescher and Tyler Reddick were eliminated from title contention.
Second-to-last race weekend of the season proving to be make or break for several championship contenders.