The top 10 drivers in each NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series category will be in the Countdown to the Championship NHRA playoffs as always, but new for 2020 will be the inclusion of any drivers who compete in every regular season event and run at least two qualifying sessions at each.

clay millican's top fuel dragster launching at 2022 nhra arizona nationals
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NHRA officials made this change in order to reward driver endurance and to encourage participation in the regular-season events, according to the NHRA news release announcing this change.

Per the NHRA announcement:

In NHRA’s Top Fuel and Funny Car classes, drivers who compete at all 18 events in the regular season and run a minimum of two qualifying sessions at each event will be in the Countdown.

In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, drivers who compete at all 13 (Pro Stock) or 11 (Pro Stock Motorcycle) events in the regular season and run a minimum of two qualifying sessions at each will also be guaranteed a spot in the Countdown.

Those who secure a position in the Countdown to the Championship will have their NHRA Mello Yello points adjusted at the conclusion of the NHRA U.S. Nationals, according to the NHRA news release.

In the Nitro categories, first and second place will be separated by 20 points and each consecutive position will be separated by a 10-point differential. In Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle, first and second place will be separated by 20 points while second through fifth place will be separated by 10 points and all following positions will be separated by five points.

Accumulation of points will remain the same, with points-and-a-half rewarded at the Auto Club NHRA Finals

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