Schumacher Looking Forward to Stretch Run

DINWIDDIE, Va. -- Just three races remain on the 2006 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule and U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, is embracing the challenge that lies ahead.
Holding second-place in the standings, 52 points removed from leader Doug Kalitta, Schumacher can't wait to attack the coming events beginning with this weekend's Torco Racing Fuels Nationals here at Virginia Motorsports Park (VMP).

"I'm set," said the defending POWERade Top Fuel world champion. "This championship chase is going to be real exciting to the bitter end. We're going to go after as many of the 12 rounds of racing remaining that we can get."

After losing a tough race to rookie J.R. Todd in the second round of eliminations last Sunday at Reading, Pa., the Chicago native will be looking to make amends at a facility the NHRA has not visited in five years.

"The last couple of races, the door opened for us to take the point lead but we didn't take full advantage," he offered. "We can't keep letting those opportunities slip by. You only get so many until the well runs dry."

Schumacher has a brief history with VMP, but it was so long ago it's hard to recall the experience.

"I was driving for the Peek Brothers the last time I was there and I certainly wasn't in the kind of car that I am today," he said. "This time I'm going there with a real bad hot rod and a great crew chief and team."

His crew chief is one Alan Johnson, who helped then Top Fuel pilot, Gary Scelzi, grab the track records for elapsed time and speed at VMP back in 1999.

"That's certainly a plus," he added.

Schumacher is counting on his "real bad hot rod" to take him to his third straight Top Fuel world title and fourth overall. Only one other driver in Top Fuel history has ever won three consecutive crowns - it was Joe Amato in the 1990's.

"Before traveling to Virginia Motorsports Park, I'm going to be visiting Fort Lee and our hard-working soldiers," he related. "Knowing the kind of men and women I'll be surrounded by during my stay, I'm confident I'll have all of the inspiration that I need to not only win this weekend, but the next two races as well."