NOTHING ARTIFICIAL ABOUT IT; THE NHRA don't need no points shuffle to make racing exciting.(National Hot Rod Association)(Doug Kalitta )(Tony Schumacher)

Byline: MARK VAUGHN

Next year the NHRA implements a new points system to try and make things more interesting. After watching the final round of the 2006 season, one of the most thrilling in memory, you have to ask why.

Three of the four pro categories of NHRA drag racing were decided on the final day of the season, and the headliner class, Top Fuel, went down to the last foot of the last run of the last race of the year. How much more excitement are we supposed to be able to stand?

Heck, there was even scandal! On Saturday night, during the final round of qualifying for Top Fuel, title contenders Doug Kalitta and Tony "The Sarge'' Schumacher lined up side by side in the dark, ready for the final qualifying run of the year. The air was cold and dense, the track surface was cool, and conditions looked perfect for a record. Schumacher had already qualified for a record with a 4.458-second run, but under NHRA rules he had to back up that time with another run within 1 percent of it.

Just as the cars were ready to stage, liquid started to come from Schumacher's car. Both chief starter Rick Stewart and assistant director of Top Fuel and Funny Car racing Rick Schreck signaled for him to shut down. He didn't.

You could say Schumacher wanted every chance to back up the record, which would give him 20 more points in the title chase and maybe just the edge he needed. He says that was not the reason.

"I'm not the boss, I don't shut the car off, he does,'' said Schumacher later Saturday evening, referring to crew chief Alan Johnson.