Words compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Jeff Burk, Chris Haverly and Ron Lewis

The Countdown is set. After the grind of the U.S. Nationals, the professional racers have one weekend off before the final push for the NHRA Full Throttle championship begins at zMax Dragway.

The points totals following Indy were:

Top Fuel: 1. Del Worsham, 1,432; 2. Antron Brown, 1,322; 3. Spencer Massey, 1,232; 4. Larry Dixon, 1,191; 5. Tony Schumacher, 1,187; 6. Doug Kalitta, 827; 7. Brandon Bernstein, 825; 8. Shawn Langdon, 725; 9. Morgan Lucas, 704; 10.  David Grubnic, 615.

Funny Car: 1. Mike Neff, 1,297; 2. Jack Beckman, 1,082; 3. Robert Hight, 1,076; 4. Cruz Pedregon, 1,017; 5. (tie) Ron Capps, 1,009; Matt Hagan, 1,009; 7. John Force, 891; 8. Bob Tasca III, 827; 9. Jeff Arend, 812; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 802.

Pro Stock: 1. Greg Anderson, 1,339; 2. Jason Line, 1,286; 3. Mike Edwards, 1,200; 4. Vincent Nobile, 1,033; 5. Erica Enders, 1,021; 6. Allen Johnson, 1,001; 7. Rodger Brogdon, 973; 8. Greg Stanfield, 923; 9. Shane Gray, 699; 10. Ron Krisher, 659.

Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Eddie Krawiec, 789; 2. LE Tonglet, 741; 3. Karen Stoffer, 721; 4. Andrew Hines, 624; 5. Hector Arana Jr, 579; 6. Matt Smith, 568; 7. Hector Arana, 564; 8. Jerry Savoie, 537; 9. Michael Phillips, 512; 10. Jim Underdahl, 476.

The temperatures started off extremely hot (about 100 degrees) on Friday, but by the finals on Labor Day, the atmosphere and track were about 30 degrees cooler.