Tony Schumacher has a lot on his mind nowadays.

After eight championships and 83 victories, Schumacher finds himself a lot more reflective these days and he isn’t afraid to share what he has learned with the world.

Take, for instance, the canopy debate. Introduced just a few years ago, many of the cars in the Top Fuel category have traded in open air driving for a safer, bullet-proof shell to help protect them during a run. So why haven’t all of the teams adapted with the new technology? Schumacher believes it is perception - and old habits.

“I wouldn’t drive a car without it anymore,” Schumacher admitted. “I think it is more work for teams, but let’s look at it. It’s also won all the championships the last couple of years. So you can’t say you can’t win with it. I think it is partially because my dad had a big influence in the design of it. Some people on the other teams are just going to dislike that.

“The other thing I hear every now and again, what if you are on fire. We’ve never been on fire in a canopy because it keeps it off of us. So I don’t have an answer. We’ve had a lot of explosions, we’ve had little flashes inside, but no burn. Whether you are upside down in a canopy or upside down in a regular car, you aren’t getting out.

“I talked to some drivers last week about coming over and testing and they are all afraid because they know they are going to want one once they get in.”

Another topic on Schumacher’s mind is that of the recent dominance by the Don Schumacher Racing team. Through 12 races this season, DSR cars have won 17 races between Top Fuel and Funny Car.

Thanks to that domination, Schumacher hears all of the time how super teams like that at DSR and John Force Racing hurt the sport and prevent the smaller operations from competing, but the eight-time champion believes people just aren’t looking close enough.

“I think we have great drivers and great crew chiefs and great parts, but there are other teams out there doing the same. (Steve) Torrence is out there winning. Brittany (Force), the Kalitta team, they are all going to win. Clay Millican getting his first win. If people would pull away and see that this isn’t really a team, they would understand,” Schumacher said. “We are just like everybody else. I don’t help Antron (Brown) win, I don’t help Leah (Pritchett) win. All the stuff in my car is different than everybody else. Just because my dad owns it, doesn’t make us teammates. It is my dad’s team, but I win for Army. Antron wins for Matco. Leah wins for Papa John’s.

“It’s a battle amongst us. We are good enough to bring each other up to a different level. The hardest cars to beat are our own cars.”