Toyota Brainerd NHRA Preview

LUCAS LOOKS TO CONTINUE HOT STREAK – Morgan Lucas will enter this weekend’s Lucas Oil Nationals not only as the defending race champion, but also as the hottest driver on the Top Fuel circuit.  Lucas is coming off a win in Seattle in the most recent race and advanced to the finals in Sonoma one race prior.  Not only has he been winning, but he’s also knocked four of the top six in points in winning seven rounds in the last two races.  Lucas has climbed to within 36 points of sixth-place after entering Sonoma in the ninth spot.

LANGDON LOOKING TO CLINCH TOP SPOT IN COUNTDOWN – Shawn Langdon will take a 147-point lead into Brainerd this weekend and will be looking to clinch the top spot in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs.  Langdon leads the series with four wins and has advanced to the semi-finals or finals in 10 of the last 12 races.  The Al-Anabi Racing Toyota driver also has registered the quickest run of the season with a 3.721 to open the season in Pomona.  If he can maintain his point lead through the U.S. Nationals, Langdon will receive a 20-point bonus and begin the Countdown with a 30-point lead over second.

COUNTING DOWN – In addition to Shawn Langdon, Antron Brown also has clinched a berth in the Countdown with two races remaining.  Khalid alBalooshi, Morgan Lucas and Cruz Pedregon should mathematically clinch their spots this weekend. Del Worsham continues to be in a battle for a spot in the playoffs.  He’s currently in 11^th-place, just three points out of the final qualifying spot.

BRAINERD WINNERS  – Five Toyota drivers have previously won at Brainerd. Morgan Lucas, Brandon Bernstein and Tony Pedregon each have won twice, while Antron Brown and Cruz Pedregon have won one apiece.