SCHUMACHER SETS NEW STANDARD FOR 1,000-FOOT STRIP
Sat, 2008-07-19 12:28
Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher drove his U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster to the number one position
following the first day of qualifying for the 21st Annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceway.
Schumacher, who came into this weekend leading the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship race, recorded low elapsed time in both qualifying sessions as well as posting the day's top speed. He traversed the 1,000-foot course in 3.802 seconds at 316.9 miles per hour during the second round, bettering his first lap of 3.821 seconds at 314.97 mph.
"The air was great, the track was terrific and (crew chief) Alan (Johnson) really had a handle on the setup," said the Chicago-area resident. "But Alan understands this track. We have gone to the finals here the last four years - winning three, including last year." Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher drove his U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster to the number one position
following the first day of qualifying for the 21st Annual Schuck's Auto Supply NHRA Nationals at Pacific Raceway.
Schumacher, who came into this weekend leading the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship race, recorded low elapsed time in both qualifying sessions as well as posting the day's top speed. He traversed the 1,000-foot course in 3.802 seconds at 316.9 miles per hour during the second round, bettering his first lap of 3.821 seconds at 314.97 mph.
"The air was great, the track was terrific and (crew chief) Alan (Johnson) really had a handle on the setup," said the Chicago-area resident. "But Alan understands this track. We have gone to the finals here the last four years - winning three, including last year."
Last year, the team had to cope with adverse weather throughout the race weekend; this year's challenge is the new race distance.
"Racing to 1,000 feet instead of a quarter mile means tighter, more competitive fields, but this U.S. Army Racing Team is up to the challenge. We succeed as a team the same way our soldiers do regardless of their challenges - by staying cool and calm in the face of adversity."
The approach has paid off through the first 13 (of 24) races of the 2008 season with Schumacher winning six, while going to eight final rounds. Tomorrow he hopes to hold onto his qualifying spot which would be his fourth pole position of the year.
"This hot rod is just running great," said the reigning and five-time NHRA POWERade Top Fuel Champion. "Last year in the first half of the season we would run great in qualifying and then have some issues on Sunday. This year everything seems to be working."
Tony Schumacher has the quickest 1,000-foot elapsed time since the NHRA temporarily shortened the race course for nitro cars.
Schumacher, who came into this weekend leading the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship race, recorded low elapsed time in both qualifying sessions as well as posting the day's top speed. He traversed the 1,000-foot course in 3.802 seconds at 316.9 miles per hour during the second round, bettering his first lap of 3.821 seconds at 314.97 mph.
"The air was great, the track was terrific and (crew chief) Alan (Johnson) really had a handle on the setup," said the Chicago-area resident. "But Alan understands this track. We have gone to the finals here the last four years - winning three, including last year." Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher drove his U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster to the number one position
Tony Schumacher has the quickest 1,000-foot elapsed time since the NHRA temporarily shortened the race course for nitro cars.
Schumacher, who came into this weekend leading the NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championship race, recorded low elapsed time in both qualifying sessions as well as posting the day's top speed. He traversed the 1,000-foot course in 3.802 seconds at 316.9 miles per hour during the second round, bettering his first lap of 3.821 seconds at 314.97 mph.
"The air was great, the track was terrific and (crew chief) Alan (Johnson) really had a handle on the setup," said the Chicago-area resident. "But Alan understands this track. We have gone to the finals here the last four years - winning three, including last year."
Last year, the team had to cope with adverse weather throughout the race weekend; this year's challenge is the new race distance.
"Racing to 1,000 feet instead of a quarter mile means tighter, more competitive fields, but this U.S. Army Racing Team is up to the challenge. We succeed as a team the same way our soldiers do regardless of their challenges - by staying cool and calm in the face of adversity."
The approach has paid off through the first 13 (of 24) races of the 2008 season with Schumacher winning six, while going to eight final rounds. Tomorrow he hopes to hold onto his qualifying spot which would be his fourth pole position of the year.
"This hot rod is just running great," said the reigning and five-time NHRA POWERade Top Fuel Champion. "Last year in the first half of the season we would run great in qualifying and then have some issues on Sunday. This year everything seems to be working."
Categories:
