It’s been a while for Tony Schumacher.

And that’s just fine for the eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion; he’s experienced a few been a while moments lately. 

Schumacher will compete in this weekend’s Menard’s NHRA Nationals at Heartland Park - Topeka for the first time since 2018. For the first time since 2020, he enters the event as the Top Fuel division’s most-recent winner. 

Schumacher believes he’s exactly where he needs to be. 

“You’ve got to perform this time of the year,” Schumacher said. “The right attitude is important, and there was excitement (in Seattle). Coming into (Seattle), we found ourselves 12th in points, 100 out of the top 10, and you’ve got to perform. These drivers in this class are all great. It’s a tough sport and you’ve got to be able to overcome adversity. It’s all really close right now and you’re to the point where there are just a few races before the Countdown. We’re going to keep trying, and we’ve got a group of people who are excited.”

Schumacher’s victory at the NHRA Northwest Nationals came in the first event following Joe and Cathi Maynard’s purchase of major interest in the Top Fuel team. 

Schumacher has significant mojo at the track located outside of Kansas City, as his track record at HPT has held up over the years. His last win at the multi-purpose facility came back in 2010.

With just three races left in the regular season, Schumacher stands ten points outside Countdown to the Championship eligibility. From there, the fall-off is significant as he is 51 points out of eighth, a little under three rounds. 

“I’ve been doing this a long time and there’s ebbs and flows,” Schumacher said. “The worst thing I can do is to put pressure on them when they don’t need it. The guys weren’t making mistakes and you can’t point fingers. They’re giving everything and it’s hard on them. These guys have worked so hard and it’s so hard to get here. It’s a tough sport, but when the good stuff comes, it’s a beautiful thing.”