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CHANDLER, Ariz. - U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, claimed his second straight pole of the season here today after final qualifying for Sunday's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.
Schumacher's track record pass of 4.430-seconds from Friday stood up through the final two rounds of qualifying and as a result he will face 16th-place qualifier, Doug Herbert, in the opening round of eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. MT.
"Qualifying on top again is great, no question," said the defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion. "But, what we really want is the trophy on Sunday. We're in this to win races."
After securing his 37th career pole, Schumacher is intent on improving his race day performance given his result at the season opener in Pomona, Calif. two weeks ago.
"We started from the number one spot out there and went out in the first round, so we're bound and determined not to let that happen here at Firebird," he offered. "I have all the confidence in the world that this U.S. Army team will get the job done tomorrow."
Schumacher seems to get along just fine with the Phoenix-area track given his three career wins over the last seven years.
"And, I definitely want to add to that total tomorrow," he added. "I'm really pumped up to get going. The weather is going to be great and the track should be quick and fast. Hopefully, by the end of the day, we'll be the last team standing and we can put a smile on the faces of our hard working soldiers."
ESPN2 is scheduled to provide taped-delayed race day coverage from 7-10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
Schumacher Banks Second Straight Pole
CHANDLER, Ariz. - U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, claimed his second straight pole of the season here today after final qualifying for Sunday's Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.
Schumacher's track record pass of 4.430-seconds from Friday stood up through the final two rounds of qualifying and as a result he will face 16th-place qualifier, Doug Herbert, in the opening round of eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. MT.
"Qualifying on top again is great, no question," said the defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion. "But, what we really want is the trophy on Sunday. We're in this to win races."
After securing his 37th career pole, Schumacher is intent on improving his race day performance given his result at the season opener in Pomona, Calif. two weeks ago.
"We started from the number one spot out there and went out in the first round, so we're bound and determined not to let that happen here at Firebird," he offered. "I have all the confidence in the world that this U.S. Army team will get the job done tomorrow."
Schumacher seems to get along just fine with the Phoenix-area track given his three career wins over the last seven years.
"And, I definitely want to add to that total tomorrow," he added. "I'm really pumped up to get going. The weather is going to be great and the track should be quick and fast. Hopefully, by the end of the day, we'll be the last team standing and we can put a smile on the faces of our hard working soldiers."
ESPN2 is scheduled to provide taped-delayed race day coverage from 7-10 p.m. ET on Sunday.
