Denver: Toyota Motorsports preview

DIXON LOOKS TO CLINCH TOP SPOT IN COUNTDOWN -- With a 211-point championship lead heading into this weekend's Mile-High Nationals, Larry Dixon can clinch the number one spot in the NHRA Countdown to the Championship playoffs by simply advancing to the second round. Dixon will arrive in Denver coming off a victory this past weekend at Sonoma -- his seventh in the last 11 races. During that span, Dixon has registered an amazing 33-4 record in elimination runs and has advanced to the semi-finals or finals in nine of the 11 events. For the season, Dixon leads the series in wins (eight), final appearances (eight), semi-final appearances (11) and number one qualifiers (five). In addition, he has now qualified in the top-three at 14 of 15 races.

COUNTDOWN ROLL-CALL -- With two races remaining in the "regular season," two Toyota-sponsored drivers -- Larry Dixon and Antron Brown - have already clinched their spots in the Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Those ranks should grow this weekend as Morgan Lucas Racing teammates Shawn Langdon and Morgan Lucas should wrap up playoff berths. Langdon currently sports a 175-point advantage over 11th-place David Grubnic, while Lucas is 145 ahead of Grubnic. Del Worsham also should secure his spot in the Countdown in the Funny Car ranks with a 175-point advantage over 11th-place Jeff Arend. Unfortunately, time is running out for Cruz Pedregon, who trails his brother, Tony Pedregon, for the 10th and final spot by 121 points.

LAST YEAR AT DENVER -- Last year's Mile-High Nationals saw Antron Brown win his eliminators from the number one qualifying position -- defeating Doug Kalitta in the final round. Along with his Denver triumph, Brown also won Seattle and Sonoma to become the eighth driver to sweep all three races in the annual NHRA Western Swing. In addition to Brown, Morgan Lucas, Larry Dixon and Shawn Langdon all advanced to the second round. In Funny Car, Cruz Pedregon won his opening round, while Del Worsham was eliminated in his opening run.

-source: toyota motorsports