<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/t_schumacher06.jpg" alt="t_schumacher06" align="right"borders="0"/>
CLERMONT, Ind. -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, recorded his fifth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals title here Monday at O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Schumacher took out Brandon Bernstein in the finals of the NHRA's biggest race of the year and in the process moved to within 54 points of leader Doug Kalitta.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle action, U.S. Army rider Angelle Sampey committed a red light foul in the finals against Matt Smith, while her teammate, Antron Brown, was beaten in the semifinals by Smith.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the race weekend 136 points behind Kalitta in the standings, made a big dent in the championship chase with his third victory of the season and the 33rd of his career.
"This was huge for so many reasons," he said. "As always, we want to win badly for our soldiers, but we also wanted to win this race for Alan Johnson (his crew chief). He lost his brother, Blaine, here at Indy 10 years ago in a qualifying accident. I know he wanted to get this one in the worst way as we all did for him as well."
The Chicago native was flawless en route to his meeting with Bernstein. He easily disposed of J.R. Todd, David Grubnic and Rod Fuller in the opening three rounds.
"The U.S. Army team was just outstanding," he added. "We now have five races to go and we're certainly right there in the thick of the championship battle."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Sampey actually posted a better run than Smith in the final round, but she left way too early at the starting line forcing a red light foul.
"I pushed the (Christmas) tree, that's about all you can say," said the three-time world champion. "I'm disappointed for everyone involved with the U.S. Army team. We had a good enough Suzuki to win this thing today, but I fell short of finishing the job."
For the second straight race, Brown had a golden opportunity to retake the points lead, but unlike Sampey in the finals, he was late leaving the starting line in his race against Smith and it cost him.
"I went on down through there with a better elapsed time than him, but when you put up a horrible reaction time, it's going to kill you," he said. "I will admit it - I didn't want to red light again. I wanted to see green this time. I certainly saw it, but a lot later than I should have."
Brown didn't take much of a hit in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points, falling to just eight markers in back of Andrew Hines in first-place. Sampey managed to move into third with her final round showing and is now 98 points off the lead.
Schumacher, Sampey and Brown will now have a weekend off before heading to Maple Grove Raceway, September 15-17, outside of Reading, Pa. for the Toyo Tires Nationals.
Schumacher Captures Fifth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Title
Sampey Loses in Finals, Brown in Semifinals
CLERMONT, Ind. -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, recorded his fifth Mac Tools U.S. Nationals title here Monday at O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Schumacher took out Brandon Bernstein in the finals of the NHRA's biggest race of the year and in the process moved to within 54 points of leader Doug Kalitta.
In Pro Stock Motorcycle action, U.S. Army rider Angelle Sampey committed a red light foul in the finals against Matt Smith, while her teammate, Antron Brown, was beaten in the semifinals by Smith.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the race weekend 136 points behind Kalitta in the standings, made a big dent in the championship chase with his third victory of the season and the 33rd of his career.
"This was huge for so many reasons," he said. "As always, we want to win badly for our soldiers, but we also wanted to win this race for Alan Johnson (his crew chief). He lost his brother, Blaine, here at Indy 10 years ago in a qualifying accident. I know he wanted to get this one in the worst way as we all did for him as well."
The Chicago native was flawless en route to his meeting with Bernstein. He easily disposed of J.R. Todd, David Grubnic and Rod Fuller in the opening three rounds.
"The U.S. Army team was just outstanding," he added. "We now have five races to go and we're certainly right there in the thick of the championship battle."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Sampey actually posted a better run than Smith in the final round, but she left way too early at the starting line forcing a red light foul.
"I pushed the (Christmas) tree, that's about all you can say," said the three-time world champion. "I'm disappointed for everyone involved with the U.S. Army team. We had a good enough Suzuki to win this thing today, but I fell short of finishing the job."
For the second straight race, Brown had a golden opportunity to retake the points lead, but unlike Sampey in the finals, he was late leaving the starting line in his race against Smith and it cost him.
"I went on down through there with a better elapsed time than him, but when you put up a horrible reaction time, it's going to kill you," he said. "I will admit it - I didn't want to red light again. I wanted to see green this time. I certainly saw it, but a lot later than I should have."
Brown didn't take much of a hit in the Pro Stock Motorcycle points, falling to just eight markers in back of Andrew Hines in first-place. Sampey managed to move into third with her final round showing and is now 98 points off the lead.
Schumacher, Sampey and Brown will now have a weekend off before heading to Maple Grove Raceway, September 15-17, outside of Reading, Pa. for the Toyo Tires Nationals.
