When the NHRA POWERade Series Countdown to the Championship was first announced in 2006, the motorsports world was forced to change its way of thinking about the world’s fastest motorsport.

Suddenly, teams that would never have challenged for world championship titles were possible contenders, and the previously solid leads that larger, structured teams had stood on for years became a little shifty. In an instant, the hopes of some of the most elite racers in the world depended on something as fragile as a bubble – and bubbles burst.

The NHRA POWERade Series heads to Brainerd Int'l Raceway Aug. 7-10 for the 27th annual Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals. While eight drivers can rest easy knowing their playoff tickets are punched, the event comes at a crucial juncture for the teams that have, including in Brainerd, three events to crack the top 10 playoff fields in all four Professional categories before the end of the regular season.

In Top Fuel, Doug Kalitta, driver of the Mac Tools dragster, is hanging on to playoff contention by a mere nine points entering the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals, and Morgan Lucas, driver of the Lucas Oil Top Fuel dragster, is ready to hunt him down in the comfort of his sponsor’s race with the help of just-hired tuner Jimmy Walsh.

Only three Top Fuel drivers have so far clinched spots in the Countdown to 1: Tony Schumacher, who has dominated the category with an astonishing eight wins this year; Antron Brown, who surprised nearly everyone with his immediate success after crossing over from Pro Stock Motorcycle to Top Fuel just this year; and Larry Dixon. The rest are in limbo.

Rod Fuller can clinch by qualifying for final eliminations in Brainerd, Cory McClenathan will lock up a berth if he qualifies 12th or better, and Brandon Bernstein will be in if he qualifies eighth or better. Bernstein and Cory Mac can still clinch with lesser performances in qualifying if the drivers behind them do not max out their points in qualifying.

In Funny Car, independent team owner/driver Tim Wilkerson is the only one to secure his spot in the Countdown. Wilkerson, who has won four events in 2008 with an alliance with team owner Don “the Snake” Prudhomme, is trailed by John Force Racing’s Robert Hight, who sits in the second spot. What’s been a surprise is the lack of success thus far by Don Schumacher Racing’s Funny Car teams - currently, DSR’s highest-seeded driver is Ron Capps, and he’s in the seventh spot. Jack Beckman, driver of the Valvoline/Mail Terminal Services Dodge Charger R/T, is on the bubble in 10th.

Hight will clinch a spot in the playoffs simply be making one qualifying run, regardless of its outcome, and Tony Pedregon can clinch merely by qualifying.

Excitement or stomach aches, depending on whom you ask. In Pro Stock, three drivers have clinched their spot in the Countdown to the 1 – Summit Racing Equipment teammates Greg Anderson and Jason Line and ACDelco driver Kurt Johnson, son of Warren “the Professor” Johnson. Lately, eyes have been on Dave Connolly, whose remarkable charge from parked to two trips to the winner's circle has been astonishing. Connolly sits just 52 points inside of playoff contention entering the Lucas Oil NHRA Nationals.

Jeg Coughlin can clinch his spot in the Countdown playoffs simply by qualifying for the 16-car field.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Andrew Hines is the lone rider to claim a spot so far this year. Just behind him are Matt Smith, the defending NHRA POWERade Series world champion, Chip Ellis, Chris Rivas, and Matt Guidera, who have each won at least one event in 2008. Of those riders, only Smith can clinch in qualifying, which he can do by making his first qualifying pass, but at least four other riders can clinch during eliminations.