Schumacher Banks Fourth Straight Win
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/t_schumacher.jpg" alt="t_schumacher" align="right"borders="0"/>
BRAINERD, Minn. -- Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, aboard his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, collected his fourth straight victory here Sunday in the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
After sweeping the Denver/Seattle/Sonoma, Calif. segment of the schedule last month, Schumacher took out his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Cory McClenathan, in the finals at BIR with a 3.865-second pass at 310.05 mph.
"This has been an incredible run for the U.S. Army team," said the five-time world champion. "I can assure you that we're enjoying every minute of this. Of course, the most important thing is that we keep winning for our Soldiers. It's all about our brave men and women."
After a first round bye, the Chicago-area resident had to slide by Rod Fuller and Doug Kalitta before squaring off with McClenathan.
Schumacher, who competed in his 260th race as a professional at BIR, now has 50 career wins. He's just two wins short of tying Joe Amato's Top Fuel career victory mark.
"When we started the season, Joe's record seemed so far away," he said. "Fast forward 16 races and we're knocking on the door. Like I've stated before, it's pretty amazing that we've reached this point."
With the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. scheduled for next weekend, Schumacher is also approaching a couple of other single season records.
With nine wins to date in 2008, he's one shy of tying his own record (set in 2004) for most victories in a season. At Maple Grove Raceway, he could also tie his own record for most consecutive victories in a season (set in 2005).
"It's definitely been a dream season," he offered. "But, we need to stay focused on the real goal which is to win another title."
Schumacher, who has already clinched the top seed for the Countdown to One, knows consistency will be the key as the season winds down.
"We just have to keep doing what we've been doing," he said. "There's no reason to change a thing. We've got two more races before we start the playoffs, so trying to win both will clearly help on the momentum front."
<img src="http://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/5/t_schumacher.jpg" alt="t_schumacher" align="right"borders="0"/>
BRAINERD, Minn. -- Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, aboard his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, collected his fourth straight victory here Sunday in the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway.
After sweeping the Denver/Seattle/Sonoma, Calif. segment of the schedule last month, Schumacher took out his Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Cory McClenathan, in the finals at BIR with a 3.865-second pass at 310.05 mph.
"This has been an incredible run for the U.S. Army team," said the five-time world champion. "I can assure you that we're enjoying every minute of this. Of course, the most important thing is that we keep winning for our Soldiers. It's all about our brave men and women."
After a first round bye, the Chicago-area resident had to slide by Rod Fuller and Doug Kalitta before squaring off with McClenathan.
Schumacher, who competed in his 260th race as a professional at BIR, now has 50 career wins. He's just two wins short of tying Joe Amato's Top Fuel career victory mark.
"When we started the season, Joe's record seemed so far away," he said. "Fast forward 16 races and we're knocking on the door. Like I've stated before, it's pretty amazing that we've reached this point."
With the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pa. scheduled for next weekend, Schumacher is also approaching a couple of other single season records.
With nine wins to date in 2008, he's one shy of tying his own record (set in 2004) for most victories in a season. At Maple Grove Raceway, he could also tie his own record for most consecutive victories in a season (set in 2005).
"It's definitely been a dream season," he offered. "But, we need to stay focused on the real goal which is to win another title."
Schumacher, who has already clinched the top seed for the Countdown to One, knows consistency will be the key as the season winds down.
"We just have to keep doing what we've been doing," he said. "There's no reason to change a thing. We've got two more races before we start the playoffs, so trying to win both will clearly help on the momentum front."
