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Chandler, AZ. - After posting a track record 4.430-second pass at 328.22 mph, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, claimed the provisional pole position here Friday following the first day of qualifying for the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.
With his performance at Firebird, the four-time NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion now holds seven of the top 10 quickest Top Fuel passes in NHRA history.
"That was yet another great run by the U.S. Army team," said the Chicago native. "What's scary is that I had a couple of cylinders out about four seconds into the run. You really have to wonder what the number would have been if we stayed under full power the whole way."
Schumacher is bidding for his second straight pole of the season and the 37th of his career.
Two weeks ago at the 2007 season opener in Pomona, Calif., Schumacher started from the number one spot but lost in the first round of eliminations to 16th-place qualifier Joe Hartley.
"We've put that one out of our minds," he added. "We're concentrating on this race and this race only. Our confidence level remains high and that's all that counts. We want to win here in Phoenix in the worst way."
Schumacher on top of charts with track record run
Chandler, AZ. - After posting a track record 4.430-second pass at 328.22 mph, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, claimed the provisional pole position here Friday following the first day of qualifying for the Checker Schuck's Kragen Nationals at Firebird International Raceway.
With his performance at Firebird, the four-time NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion now holds seven of the top 10 quickest Top Fuel passes in NHRA history.
"That was yet another great run by the U.S. Army team," said the Chicago native. "What's scary is that I had a couple of cylinders out about four seconds into the run. You really have to wonder what the number would have been if we stayed under full power the whole way."
Schumacher is bidding for his second straight pole of the season and the 37th of his career.
Two weeks ago at the 2007 season opener in Pomona, Calif., Schumacher started from the number one spot but lost in the first round of eliminations to 16th-place qualifier Joe Hartley.
"We've put that one out of our minds," he added. "We're concentrating on this race and this race only. Our confidence level remains high and that's all that counts. We want to win here in Phoenix in the worst way."
