ESPN2 (VARIOUS LOCATIONS) - COUNTDOWN TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

The NHRA POWERade Series and ESPN2 will follow all of the drama and excitement of the 2007 Countdown to the Championship playoffs, which begin Labor Day weekend in Indianapolis and conclude six races later, Nov. 4, back in the birthplace of championship drag racing, Southern California. As has been the case since the 2001 season, ESPN2 will be there every step of the way with a crew that rivals any network crew in auto racing. Legendary auto racing play-by-play anchor Paul Page is joined by 22-time winner Mike Dunn in the booth, renowned racing reporter Gary Gerould handles interviews at the top end, and trackside ESPN has added the experience of John Kernan to complement POWERade Series regular Dave Rieff, also the host of NHRA Race Day. In the grid below, you’ll find the six races that comprise the Countdown playoffs as well as the corresponding showtimes (ET) on ESPN2 and ESPN2HD. After the first four races are complete, the field of eligible championship contenders will be halved from eight to four and those four drivers will then knock heads at Las Vegas and Pomona to determine the 2007 POWERade Series world champions. As a show of their commitment, ESPN2 will air each of the playoff races in primetime, 7-10 p.m. ET.