The second year of the Countdown to the Championship has been changed so the first 18 races, which is called the regular season, will determine the 10 teams that will battle for season titles over the last six races in Top Fuel, Funny Car and Pro Stock.

Last season was the first for the Countdown format. Contenders were cut to eight in pro categories after 17 races, then pared to four for the last four, including the October event at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Regular-season points leaders also will be awarded 20-point bonuses to start the final portion of the schedule.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, which runs a limited schedule, 10 riders will remain in contention after the 12th event, and the playoff will involve the last five races, including the Oct. 30 to Nov. 2 Las Vegas event.

At several events in the past several years, weather has changed drastically for Saturday's qualifying sessions after more optimum conditions on the previous day's early evening or night sessions.

Fields for the top 16 in pro categories often have been set after the first day of qualifying before times slow the next day. Beginning this year, four of the spots for championship eliminations will be determined on the last qualifying day.

Teams unable to get a provisional spot in the top 12 will get an opportunity to make the starting order for eliminations on the last qualifying day.

All teams will have the opportunity to improve their positions on the final day of qualifying and can bumped in or out of the field. ...

The NHRA season finale in Pomona, Calif., has been moved back one week, from Nov. 13 to 16.

The NHRA received the Diversity in Motorsports Award this week in Detroit during the 12th annual Urban Wheel Awards, which took place in conjunction with the North American International Auto Show.

• DESERT RACING -- The 14th annual SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge opens Thursday with the Laughlin Leap before racing Saturday and Sunday at the Laughlin Events Center.

• NEW TRACK -- Nearly 70 race cars turned out Dec. 29 for the first practice session at new Death Valley Raceway in Amargosa, about 70 miles north of Las Vegas on U.S. Highway 95 near state Route 373.

The 1/3-mile dirt oval and facility is owned by the Pike family -- Tanya, Jim, Phyllis and Jason, who has won 100 IMCA features and two regional titles.

A practice session is scheduled for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Jan. 26, with the opener set for Feb. 9.

The International Motor Contest Association (IMCA) will sanction Modifieds competition at the track.

Visit DeathValleyRaceway.

homestead.com or contact (775) 209-5291 for information.

• NASCAR -- The purchase of New Hampshire International Speedway by Speedway Motorsports Inc., which owns Las Vegas Motor Speedway and six other major tracks, was approved Jan. 11. Its name will be changed to New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

Contact reporter Jeff Wolf at jwolf@reviewjournal.com or (702) 383-0247.