Don Schumacher described his relationship behind the scenes of the public eye with Don Prudhomme as one that has had its moments.

As fate would have it, the rival team owners found an unofficial alliance during the final event of the 2009 season. It was Spencer Massey, Prudhomme’s award-winning rookie, who made Tony Schumacher a seven-time Top Fuel champion by stopping Larry Dixon in the second round of the NHRA Auto Club Finals.

Don Schumacher described his relationship behind the scenes of the public eye with Don Prudhomme as one that has had its moments.

As fate would have it, the rival team owners found an unofficial alliance during the final event of the 2009 season. It was Spencer Massey, Prudhomme’s award-winning rookie, who made Tony Schumacher a seven-time Top Fuel champion by stopping Larry Dixon in the second round of the NHRA Auto Club Finals.

“We’ve been around this for a long time and I respect what he’s done and hopefully he respects what I have done,” Schumacher said. “He came over and shook my hand after we won the title and I went over and shook his hand again.”

Those who know the two believe on the Monday after race day, the relationship returned to normal, but on Sunday afternoon, Schumacher was crediting Prudhomme’s team for contributing to their championship not just at Pomona but at other races as well.

“When they beat Larry and the Al-Anabi team in Las Vegas, that was a huge boost too,” Schumacher added. “It was incredible what they did for us.”

Prudhomme’s team had reason to take pride in the victory over Dixon. Dixon left after 13 years as Prudhomme's driver to become the driver for Alan Johnson and the Al Anabi team.

For Schumacher there was the pride of being a team owner with the most cars in contention for the title.

Schumacher’s teams filled three of the top four point earning positions in Top Fuel. It was Antron Brown, who eliminated Tony Schumacher after he’d clinched the title.

“I hope that every one sees what my teams do on a consistent basis,” Schumacher pointed out. “There’s no BS. That’s what they do when they pull to the starting line, race after race.”

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