<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/t_schumacher06.jpg" alt="t_schumacher06" align="left"borders="0"/>
BRAINERD, Minn. (8/11/06) -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, secured the provisional pole here Friday after the opening day of qualifying for the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR).
U.S. Army Pro Stock Motorcycle pilots, Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown, dropped into the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, going into the final two qualifying sessions on Saturday.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the weekend third in the standings, laid down a 4.499-second sprint at 330.72 mph to take the provisional number one starting position.
On Saturday, the defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champ will be trying to lock up his eighth pole of the year and the 30th of his career.
"This was yet another terrific effort by Alan Johnson (his crew chief) and the entire U.S. Army team," said Schumacher. "But, with that said, we don't want to sit on this performance. We've got work to do tomorrow to get ready for Sunday."
On race day, Schumacher will be looking to cut further into the point lead Doug Kalitta currently holds.
"Every point is critical - even those we get in qualifying," he added. "This team will not get caught looking ahead."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/a_brown.jpg" alt="a_brown" align="right"borders="0"/><img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/A_Sampey.jpg" alt="A_Sampey" align="right"borders="0"/>Sampey, who has never won at BIR, recorded a 7.134-second run at 185.41 mph to claim a top four position.
"That's certainly a good way to finish the first day of qualifying," said the Louisiana native. "I'm quite confident that we have a lot more left in my U.S. Army Suzuki. We want to have a successful weekend here in Minnesota."
With his 7.143-second trip at 184.83 mph, Brown slid in right behind Sampey in the order.
"Like Angelle, I feel we have plenty of room for improvement in terms of my Suzuki," offered the three-time Brainerd event champion. "Of course, the goal is to have an even better race day on Sunday. I really love racing here at BIR."
Schumacher Swipes Provisional
Sampey Fourth, Brown Fifth
BRAINERD, Minn. (8/11/06) -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, secured the provisional pole here Friday after the opening day of qualifying for the Lucas Oil Nationals at Brainerd International Raceway (BIR).
U.S. Army Pro Stock Motorcycle pilots, Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown, dropped into the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, going into the final two qualifying sessions on Saturday.
Top Fuel
Schumacher, who came into the weekend third in the standings, laid down a 4.499-second sprint at 330.72 mph to take the provisional number one starting position.
On Saturday, the defending NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champ will be trying to lock up his eighth pole of the year and the 30th of his career.
"This was yet another terrific effort by Alan Johnson (his crew chief) and the entire U.S. Army team," said Schumacher. "But, with that said, we don't want to sit on this performance. We've got work to do tomorrow to get ready for Sunday."
On race day, Schumacher will be looking to cut further into the point lead Doug Kalitta currently holds.
"Every point is critical - even those we get in qualifying," he added. "This team will not get caught looking ahead."
Pro Stock Motorcycles
<img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/a_brown.jpg" alt="a_brown" align="right"borders="0"/><img src="http://gallery.nitromater.com/files/6/5/A_Sampey.jpg" alt="A_Sampey" align="right"borders="0"/>Sampey, who has never won at BIR, recorded a 7.134-second run at 185.41 mph to claim a top four position.
"That's certainly a good way to finish the first day of qualifying," said the Louisiana native. "I'm quite confident that we have a lot more left in my U.S. Army Suzuki. We want to have a successful weekend here in Minnesota."
With his 7.143-second trip at 184.83 mph, Brown slid in right behind Sampey in the order.
"Like Angelle, I feel we have plenty of room for improvement in terms of my Suzuki," offered the three-time Brainerd event champion. "Of course, the goal is to have an even better race day on Sunday. I really love racing here at BIR."
