Schumacher Motivated For Run At Sixth Straight NHRA Top Fuel Title

Tony Schumacher enjoyed one of the greatest seasons in motorsports history in 2008.

The driver of the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster won 15 of 24 national events en route to his fifth consecutive National Hot Rod Association championship.
Schumacher also moved past Joe Amato to take the top spot in all-time Top Fuel wins, and became only the third NHRA competitor voted as driver of the year by a panel of motorsports broadcasters and journalists.

“If all that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will,” Schumacher said Monday in a phone interview.

Instead of becoming complacent, Schumacher said the various records and accolades have just added to his near legendary intensity level and focus.

“Every year has been exceptional, and we keep thinking what we can do to top it,” said Schumacher. “Something astonishing also seems to happen.”

The 2006 and 2007 titles for Schumacher seemed torn from the pages of a Hollywood script or Disney movie. In fact, Schumacher won both championships with his final race in the final event of the season.

Schumacher has been under the microscope again this year, especially since his longtime tuner and crew chief Alan Johnson is now working with the Alan Johnson-Al-Anabi Racing team featuring former Top Fuel series champion Larry Dixon.

Johnson, regarded as a wizard for his mechanical skills and racing savvy, has guided drivers to eight Top Fuel titles. The Johnson-Al Anabi team is a partnership between the famed crew chief and Sheik Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani from the oil-rich Qatar.

“I understand why Alan left to form his own team,” said Schumacher, son of legendary drag racer Don Schumacher. “I mean, what else he can do after last year?”
Through the seven events on the NHRA Full Throttle schedule this season, Schumacher has surprised his skeptics and rivals. With two event wins, Schumacher is currently second in Top Fuel points behind Antron Brown.

Schumacher said he has been delighted with the smooth transition and decision-making of his new crew chief, Mike Green.

“This is another challenge and more motivation,” Schumacher said. “We’ve got a brand new group of guys, and most of them have never worked together before. Mike has just done a fantastic job.”
Green has nearly 20 years of drag racing experience. He helped guide Gary Ormsby to the 1989 NHRA Top Fuel championship.

As usual, Schumacher will be one of the favorites this weekend during the ninth annual National Hot Rod Association Thunder Valley Nationals at Bristol Dragway in Bristol, Tenn. Schumacher won at Bristol in 2008 and 2004. He also holds the track record for elapsed time with a run of 4.477 seconds in April 2004.

“I’ve got a lot of good memories from Bristol,” Schumacher said. “I actually used to race jet cars there in the early 1990s.”

Despite the challenging national economy, which has sidelined some top-level NHRA teams, the Top Fuel fields have been deep and competitive.
Schumacher said he has been particularly impressed with the performance of rookie driver Shawn Langdon, who ranks seventh in points.

“Shawn is doing a heck of a job,” Schumacher said. “It seems like every [Top Fuel] run has been decided by a half-car length. That level of competition is cool for fans.
“The pressure is going to build for some of these new guys as the season progresses, so I’m looking forward to some great racing.”

One of major storylines in all levels of drag racing has been the rivalry between Schumacher and Dixon. Schumacher holds a 1-0 advantage, topping Dixon and his Johnson-turned dragster en route to victory in the March 29 event in Houston. Dixon is sixth in points, with one event win.

“I love the challenge,” Schumacher said. “We’ve proven that we can assemble some great teams.

“It’s just a fantastic feeling to show people that you can face adversity and still win. I wake up motivated every day.”

Notebook: Pro qualifying sessions are scheduled for 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Friday and at 12:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday. Final eliminations begin at noon Sunday. ... Tickets are available by calling Bristol Dragway at (423) 989-6900 or via www.bristoldragway.com.

agregory@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2544