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SONOMA, Calif. -- With the final leg of the NHRA's Western Swing - the FRAM-Autolite Nationals - on tap here this weekend at Infineon Raceway, U.S. Army NHRA drivers Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown all have world championship thoughts running through their minds.
In Top Fuel, Schumacher heads for "Wine Country" having won two of the last three races while moving from eighth in the standings to fourth, 150 points removed from Doug Kalitta in first.
In Pro Stock Motorcycles, Sampey and Brown are second and third, respectively, in the standings, 28 points and 99 points behind leader, Andrew Hines.
Top Fuel
Schumacher's victory in Seattle last weekend brought him to within striking distance of Kalitta with nine events to go. He's but seven points out of third-place.
"The last three races have been quite enjoyable," said Schumacher with a smile. "It certainly seems like we have things figured out again. I'd like to believe that we now have a legitimate shot at winning our third straight crown."
When the U.S. Army team left Englishtown, N.J. in late June, it was 312 points out of first. In just three races, that deficit has been reduced by 162 points.
"This team never gave up even in the worst of times when we were having freak things happen," added Schumacher. "Like our soldiers, we were not going to accept defeat. Quite obviously, that determination has paid off. Now, this weekend, we have to keep applying the pressure."
In Infineon Raceway, Schumacher will be going to a track where he has failed to get to victory lane during his career.
"The way I look at is we had never won in St. Louis prior to this year, so why can't we break through in Sonoma as well?" he offered. "We're going to take a real good swing out there, you can bet on that."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Despite giving up the point lead to Hines following the Denver race two weeks ago, Sampey remains confident about challenging for her fourth world title.
"There's no question about that," she said. "This U.S. Army team is extremely focused on the job at hand. We're going out to Sonoma with the intention of grabbing that lead back."
Sampey, who has three wins to her credit so far in 2006, says she enjoys the annual trek to Northern California.
"The fans out there love the Pro Stock Motorcycles," she added. "And, we typically put on a great show for them. That makes the trip real special."
For Brown, the goal is to leave Infineon Raceway on Sunday much like he did in 2005 - sitting on top of the standings.
"With a few breaks, it's clearly possible," said the New Jersey native. "But, whether I regain the lead for our team this weekend or at Pomona (Calif.) in November, it really doesn't matter to me. I just want my first championship. We're going to keep working hard to accomplish that goal."
Schumacher, Sampey, Brown Look to Stay in Title Contention
SONOMA, Calif. -- With the final leg of the NHRA's Western Swing - the FRAM-Autolite Nationals - on tap here this weekend at Infineon Raceway, U.S. Army NHRA drivers Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown all have world championship thoughts running through their minds.
In Top Fuel, Schumacher heads for "Wine Country" having won two of the last three races while moving from eighth in the standings to fourth, 150 points removed from Doug Kalitta in first.
In Pro Stock Motorcycles, Sampey and Brown are second and third, respectively, in the standings, 28 points and 99 points behind leader, Andrew Hines.
Top Fuel
Schumacher's victory in Seattle last weekend brought him to within striking distance of Kalitta with nine events to go. He's but seven points out of third-place.
"The last three races have been quite enjoyable," said Schumacher with a smile. "It certainly seems like we have things figured out again. I'd like to believe that we now have a legitimate shot at winning our third straight crown."
When the U.S. Army team left Englishtown, N.J. in late June, it was 312 points out of first. In just three races, that deficit has been reduced by 162 points.
"This team never gave up even in the worst of times when we were having freak things happen," added Schumacher. "Like our soldiers, we were not going to accept defeat. Quite obviously, that determination has paid off. Now, this weekend, we have to keep applying the pressure."
In Infineon Raceway, Schumacher will be going to a track where he has failed to get to victory lane during his career.
"The way I look at is we had never won in St. Louis prior to this year, so why can't we break through in Sonoma as well?" he offered. "We're going to take a real good swing out there, you can bet on that."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
Despite giving up the point lead to Hines following the Denver race two weeks ago, Sampey remains confident about challenging for her fourth world title.
"There's no question about that," she said. "This U.S. Army team is extremely focused on the job at hand. We're going out to Sonoma with the intention of grabbing that lead back."
Sampey, who has three wins to her credit so far in 2006, says she enjoys the annual trek to Northern California.
"The fans out there love the Pro Stock Motorcycles," she added. "And, we typically put on a great show for them. That makes the trip real special."
For Brown, the goal is to leave Infineon Raceway on Sunday much like he did in 2005 - sitting on top of the standings.
"With a few breaks, it's clearly possible," said the New Jersey native. "But, whether I regain the lead for our team this weekend or at Pomona (Calif.) in November, it really doesn't matter to me. I just want my first championship. We're going to keep working hard to accomplish that goal."
