It was just one year ago that Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon and his Q Horsepower Chevy Impala SS pulled up to the starting line at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the first day of qualifying for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals and first of the final two races in the Countdown to the Championship. Pedregon entered the race in the top spot in the point standings, but was just a mere 10 points ahead of second-place driver Gary Scelzi and only 30 points ahead of fourth-place driver Ron Capps. The top four in the point standings all had a legitimate chance at taking the points lead and possibly securing the championship at the end of the event. Pedregon’s second-place qualifying effort and final round win over Ashley Force kept him at the front of the pack and strengthened his points lead to 91 over second-place Scelzi. A first round appearance at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA finals proved just enough to secure Pedregon his second POWERade world championship and first as an owner.

It was just one year ago that Funny Car driver Tony Pedregon and his Q Horsepower Chevy Impala SS pulled up to the starting line at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway the first day of qualifying for the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals and first of the final two races in the Countdown to the Championship. Pedregon entered the race in the top spot in the point standings, but was just a mere 10 points ahead of second-place driver Gary Scelzi and only 30 points ahead of fourth-place driver Ron Capps. The top four in the point standings all had a legitimate chance at taking the points lead and possibly securing the championship at the end of the event. Pedregon’s second-place qualifying effort and final round win over Ashley Force kept him at the front of the pack and strengthened his points lead to 91 over second-place Scelzi. A first round appearance at the Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA finals proved just enough to secure Pedregon his second POWERade world championship and first as an owner.

Fast forward one year to Tim Wilkerson and his Levi Ray &  Shoup Chevy Impala SS. Wilkerson will enter the eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals with just a 51-point lead over second-place driver Jack Beckman. Can Wilkerson finish his Cinderella season and finish the year the same as Pedregon’s 2007 championship run? Wilkerson enters the race with two wins in four races in the Countdown to 1 playoffs.

In Top Fuel, defending POWERade world champion Tony Schumacher has all but clinched his fifth straight title and sixth overall. Schumacher sits an impressive 212 points ahead of second-place driver Hillary Will and has made a final round appearance in all but five of the 22 races so far this season.

Pro Stock defending champion Jeg Coughlin sits in the top spot in the category, but is only 74 points ahead of second-place Kurt Johnson, while Pro Stock Motorcycle defending world champion and current points leader Matt Smith is 42 points ahead of second-place driver Eddie Krawiec.

The eighth annual ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals will be held October 30-November 2 at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.