The Countdown to the Championship breaks the 23-event POWERade Series season up into three distinct sections: the 17-race Countdown to 8, the four-race Countdown to 4 and the two-race Countdown to 1. After the first 17 races, only the top eight drivers advance into the first round of the playoffs, and their points are reset to within 10 of one another. Four races later the field will be trimmed to four finalists, who, after having their totals again reset to within 10 points of one another, will then compete for POWERade Championships at the season's final two races.
Actual points are displayed below for only the top eight drivers in each class; the points of those below the red line who are not currently part of the elite eight are expressed in terms of their difference from the eighth spot. Change indicates a driver's points standings movement based on the most recent event.

CURRENT STANDINGS:

Top Fuel
(Following event 23 of 23 events)
(Includes events through Pomona, CA)
Position Driver Points
1) Tony Schumacher * 3186 CHAMPION
2) Rod Fuller * 3167 pts
3) Brandon Bernstein * 3149 pts
4) Larry Dixon * 3135 pts
5) Bob Vandergriff Jr. 2358 pts
6) Doug Herbert 2292 pts
7) J.R. Todd 2273 pts
8) Whit Bazemore 2182 pts
9) Melanie Troxel 1173 pts
10) Doug Kalitta 1045 pts
11) Dave Grubnic 1023 pts
12) Cory McClenathan 971 pts
13) Hillary Will 892 pts
14) Clay Millican 826 pts
15) Morgan Lucas 790 pts

* Clinched berth in Countdown to 1

Funny Car
Position Driver Points
1) Tony Pedregon * 3178 CHAMPION
2) Robert Hight * 3159 pts
3) Gary Scelzi * 3092 pts
4) Ron Capps * 3067 pts
5) Jack Beckman 2358 pts
6) Mike Ashley 2337 pts
7) John Force 2191 pts
8) Jim Head 2163 pts
9) Del Worsham 1050 pts
10) Ashley Force 960 pts
11) Jeff Arend 934 pts
12) Cruz Pedregon 925 pts
13) Tommy Johnson Jr. 916 pts
14) Kenny Bernstein 903 pts
15) Tim Wilkerson 884 pts

* Clinched berth in Countdown to 1

Pro Stock
Position Driver Points
1) Jeg Coughlin * 3217 CHAMPION
2) Greg Anderson * 3173 pts
3) Dave Connolly * 3126 pts
4) Allen Johnson * 3086 pts
5) Jason Line 2292 pts
6) Kurt Johnson 2278 pts
7) Larry Morgan 2233 pts
8) Warren Johnson 2180 pts
9) Richie Stevens Jr. 1056 pts
10) V. Gaines 1025 pts
11) Jim Yates 871 pts
12) Greg Stanfield 842 pts
13) Max Naylor 829 pts
14) Kenny Koretsky 722 pts
15) Justin Humphreys 719 pts

* Clinched berth in Countdown to 1

Pro Stock Motorcycle
Position Driver Points
1) Matt Smith * 3211 CHAMPION
2) Andrew Hines * 3205 pts
3) Chip Ellis * 3204 pts
4) Peggy Llewellyn * 3108 pts
5) Angelle Sampey 2309 pts
6) Craig Treble 2283 pts
7) Ed Krawiec 2244 pts
8) Karen Stoffer 2242 pts
9) Steve Johnson 746 pts
10) Antron Brown 708 pts
11) Chris Rivas 689 pts
12) Matt Guidera 645 pts
13) Hector Arana 593 pts
14) Geno Scali 565 pts
15) Michael Phillips 397 pts

* Clinched berth in Countdown to 1