<img src="https://www.nitromater.com/gallery/files/1/t_schumacher06.jpg" alt="t_schumacher06" align="left"borders="0"/>
Pomona, Calif. - After the first day of qualifying here Thursday for the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher had a firm grip on the fourth starting position.
In the first of his four qualifying runs leading up to race day on Sunday, the four-time NHRA POWERade world champion recorded a 4.502-second pass at 324.20 mph on the quarter-mile at Auto Club Raceway.
"I'm fine with that start," said Schumacher, who has won the last three Top Fuel world titles. "We'll tune her up again on Friday and see if we can't improve."
Schumacher is beginning the 2007 season looking to make some more history.
After fashioning the greatest comeback ever in 2006, he's now turning his attention to becoming the only Top Fuel driver to win four consecutive crowns.
"That would be such a tremendous achievement," he added. "But, the 2007 season has just begun and there's such a long, long way to go before we can even remotely think in that direction. The race this weekend is the only priority for us."
Schumacher and his U.S. Army team would like to develop consistency early on in '07 versus the path traveled one year ago.
"We dug ourselves quite the hole last season, so we don't want to have to endure that again this year," he said. "That's especially important given the new Countdown to the Championship format."
Schumacher fourth after opening day
Pomona, Calif. - After the first day of qualifying here Thursday for the CARQUEST Auto Parts Winternationals, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher had a firm grip on the fourth starting position.
In the first of his four qualifying runs leading up to race day on Sunday, the four-time NHRA POWERade world champion recorded a 4.502-second pass at 324.20 mph on the quarter-mile at Auto Club Raceway.
"I'm fine with that start," said Schumacher, who has won the last three Top Fuel world titles. "We'll tune her up again on Friday and see if we can't improve."
Schumacher is beginning the 2007 season looking to make some more history.
After fashioning the greatest comeback ever in 2006, he's now turning his attention to becoming the only Top Fuel driver to win four consecutive crowns.
"That would be such a tremendous achievement," he added. "But, the 2007 season has just begun and there's such a long, long way to go before we can even remotely think in that direction. The race this weekend is the only priority for us."
Schumacher and his U.S. Army team would like to develop consistency early on in '07 versus the path traveled one year ago.
"We dug ourselves quite the hole last season, so we don't want to have to endure that again this year," he said. "That's especially important given the new Countdown to the Championship format."
