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Memphis - U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, jumped into the number one starting position after the opening day of qualifying here Friday for the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.
In Pro Stock Motorcycles, U.S. Army riders Antron Brown and Angelle Sampey settled into the sixth and 10th spots, respectively.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the race weekend holding first-place in the standings, is seeking his second career victory at Memphis Motorsports Park.
"Sure, we'd love to get another win here in Memphis, but the real key is to hang on to the momentum that we grabbed up in Indy two weeks ago," said the Chicago native. "We want to leave Memphis still in the point lead."
After posting a 4.565-second pass at 325.45 mph on Friday, Schumacher was feeling pretty good about his chances for a second straight trip to victory lane on race day.
"We want to take care of our own business and only our business," he added. "Race wins are certainly a way to accomplish that."
Over the next three races (including Memphis), Schumacher will be attempting to remain among the top four in points so he can qualify for the NHRA's Countdown to One.
"We're in this thing to win world championships, plain and simple," he said.
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Brown, who did not qualify for the NHRA's playoffs, is still intent on exiting the 2007 season with at least one win.
On Friday, he laid down a 7.095-second run at 184.83 mph to slide into the sixth spot in the order.
"I can tell you that we're working very hard to get this ship righted," he said. "We're definitely not going to give up. I feel confident that we can get a win before we close the season out."
While Brown had a couple of good runs during the initial day of qualifying, Sampey was not as fortunate. Her best pass was 7.129-seconds at 185.79 mph.
"My Suzuki was moving around a lot on me today," she said. "If we can get it to go straight, we should be pretty quick and move up. That will be the goal for tomorrow."
This weekend the Louisiana resident will be looking to return to the top four in the standings after dropping from second to fifth following a first round loss at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day.
"We've got to get back up there - there's no choice in the matter," she added.
Schumacher Number One, Brown Sixth, Sampey 10th
Memphis - U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, jumped into the number one starting position after the opening day of qualifying here Friday for the O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals at Memphis Motorsports Park.
In Pro Stock Motorcycles, U.S. Army riders Antron Brown and Angelle Sampey settled into the sixth and 10th spots, respectively.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the race weekend holding first-place in the standings, is seeking his second career victory at Memphis Motorsports Park.
"Sure, we'd love to get another win here in Memphis, but the real key is to hang on to the momentum that we grabbed up in Indy two weeks ago," said the Chicago native. "We want to leave Memphis still in the point lead."
After posting a 4.565-second pass at 325.45 mph on Friday, Schumacher was feeling pretty good about his chances for a second straight trip to victory lane on race day.
"We want to take care of our own business and only our business," he added. "Race wins are certainly a way to accomplish that."
Over the next three races (including Memphis), Schumacher will be attempting to remain among the top four in points so he can qualify for the NHRA's Countdown to One.
"We're in this thing to win world championships, plain and simple," he said.
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Brown, who did not qualify for the NHRA's playoffs, is still intent on exiting the 2007 season with at least one win.
On Friday, he laid down a 7.095-second run at 184.83 mph to slide into the sixth spot in the order.
"I can tell you that we're working very hard to get this ship righted," he said. "We're definitely not going to give up. I feel confident that we can get a win before we close the season out."
While Brown had a couple of good runs during the initial day of qualifying, Sampey was not as fortunate. Her best pass was 7.129-seconds at 185.79 mph.
"My Suzuki was moving around a lot on me today," she said. "If we can get it to go straight, we should be pretty quick and move up. That will be the goal for tomorrow."
This weekend the Louisiana resident will be looking to return to the top four in the standings after dropping from second to fifth following a first round loss at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals on Labor Day.
"We've got to get back up there - there's no choice in the matter," she added.
