Fri, 11 Sep 2015, 15:27 PM Countdown to the Championship Hits Critical Halfway Point

Courtesy of NHRA Communications Photo copyright 2015 Auto Imagery, Inc. At NHRA Keystone Nationals

MOHNTON, Pa. - The 31st annual NHRA Keystone Nationals will be a key race for drivers in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series as they have only four races left to stake their claim for the world championship, Oct. 1-4 at Maple Grove Raceway.

The lucrative event, which is the third of six playoff races in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, will feature drivers trying to continue their momentum from the opening two races of the Countdown, the NHRA Carolina Nationals and the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals.

This year's edition of the famed event will feature intense side-by-side racing as drivers in Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle compete for their share of the $1.2 million purse and the vital Mello Yello Series points. Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel); Matt Hagan (Funny Car); Rodger Brogdon (Pro Stock); and Eddie Krawiec (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year's winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN2.

Reading, which was the fourth race in the Countdown last season, provided some of the most exciting action of the Countdown last season. Schumacher and Hagan drove to victory by the skins of their teeth. Schumacher, who would end up winning his eighth world championship, was trying to continue to distance himself from the field and trying to lock up his championship well before Pomona. Schumacher, a five-time Reading winner, had an incredibly tough semifinal against Doug Kalitta, but was able to claim the win. A pedal fest ensued in the final against Brittany Force, but the driver of the U.S. Army dragster was able to get the win and pull far ahead in the points to claim the title at the next event in Las Vegas. This season, Schumacher is one of the major contenders again, fighting for the No. 1 seed in the Countdown.

Schumacher, Hagan, Brogdon and Krawiec celebrate win last year.

Hagan entered Reading in a tough points fight with John Force and Courtney Force. The 2011 Funny Car world champion took advantage of first round losses for the two Force drivers by reaching the final. Hagan would go on to defeat teammate Tommy Johnson Jr. in the final but it was closer than advertised when Hagan's engine exploded. Despite the explosion, Hagan was able to coast to the finish line to take the points lead, one he would not relinquish. Hagan is again a player in the Funny Car title chase, sitting second in points entering Indianapolis, the final regular season event. The driver of the Mopar Express Lane/Rocky Boots Dodge Charger R/T has four wins this season and is poised to have the chance to go back-to-back in the championship.

The Countdown to the Championship has provided numerous highlights since its debut in 2007 and has created increase excitement for fans and media as championships are decided during the final events of the season. With the third race of the Countdown taking place at one of the fastest facilities on the circuit, plenty of drama is promised when the 10,000-horsepower nitro machines thrill the standing room only crowd by blasting off to 330 mph runs with the crisp fall weather of Pennsylvania in the equation.

Other drivers to watch in Top Fuel include four-time season winner Richie Crampton, veteran racer, three-time world champ Larry Dixon and former Maple Grove winner Doug Kalitta. In Funny Car, the list is as long as ever for top contenders including red-hot Jack Beckman, 16-time world champ John Force, two-time season winner Tommy Johnson Jr., Del Worsham and Ron Capps, among others.

Matt Hagan

Pro Stock will feature an intense lineup of championship contenders including defending world champ Erica Enders, four-time world champ Greg Anderson, 2014 event finalist Allen Johnson, two-time world champ Jason Line, two-time season winner Chris McGaha, and veteran racer Larry Morgan. Points leader Eddie Krawiec is the defending winner of this event in Pro Stock Motorcycle and will face determined competition from teammate and four-time world champ Andrew Hines, two-time season winner Karen Stoffer, Hector Arana Jr., 2014 event finalist Scotty Pollacheck, Steve Johnson and six-time Reading winner Angelle Sampey.

Drivers in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series and the NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Series also will race hard in their quest to become winners of the thrilling event during the weekend.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they're granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers.

Fans also will want to visit NHRA's popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

NHRA's Baptism by Nitro campaign will make its first appearance of the season at Reading. Inspired by the popular phrase "baptism by fire", commonly used to describe when an individual is thrust into a new situation, experience or environment, Baptism by Nitro is NHRA's call to encourage longtime fans to introduce a family member or friend to the heart-pounding atmosphere of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series.

Throughout the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season, NHRA fans are encourage to share first-time Baptism by Nitro fan experiences on social media. Prizes will be given all year to the best rookie reactions captured in the pits or in the grandstands and posted to Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. All posts should include the hashtag #BaptismbyNitro and tag @NHRA.

Prior to the NHRA Keystone Nationals, fans are encouraged to go online and nominate a nitro rookie and explain why their candidate deserves a VIP Baptism by Nitro experience. The winning entry will receive four tickets to the 2015 NHRA Keystone Nationals, inside-the-ropes VIP access for a nitro warm-up and starting line access, where each new fan will be baptized by nitro. Fans can log on to www.NHRA.com or visit NHRA's Facebook page for their chance to win this VIP experience. An exciting visual preview of the campaign can be seen and shared at http://bit.ly/BBNitroVid.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying begins Friday, Oct. 2, with sessions at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, Oct. 3, at 11:15 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4.

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call Maple Grove Raceway at (610) 856-7200 or visit www.maplegroveraceway.com.

Before the NHRA Mello Yello Series arrives in Pennsylvania for the NHRA Keystone Nationals, the circuit will open the Countdown to the Championship playoffs at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte, N.C., Sept. 18-20, for the NHRA Carolina Nationals and Gateway Motorsports Park in Madison, Ill., Sept. 25-27, for the AAA Insurance NHRA Midwest Nationals. Keep up with all the action on ESPN and ESPN2.

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