On July 8, it was announced that The U.S. Army has decided not to renew its sponsorship with Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) and the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) due to a reallocation of its marketing budget.

DSR is actively pursuing a strong brand to partner with the team and its roster of sponsors and personalities who have contributed to 325 NHRA national event titles and 16 championships. The U.S. Army has been a primary sponsor for Tony Schumacher’s dragster for nearly 20 years.

“I had the best 19 years (with the U.S. Army) and so thankful I had it,” Schumacher said. “We built each other so much. I met the best friends, I have friends I will have the rest of my life. I don’t think the majority of the world can understand how awesome that 19 years was. It’s a gift to have something like that. Nothing last forever and we just have to be thankful for what we had. It was awesome. I really look forward to the next chapter.”

As a decorated racer that Schumacher is, he acknowledged he doesn’t take his racing home with him, even the loss of a primary sponsorship. 

“My Sunday doesn’t dictate how I act to my kids on Monday,” he said. “When I heard about this (U.S. Army leaving at end of the season), I went home and swam with my kids. I’m sorry that the Army is leaving, and they are going to go their own direction, but we will find something. This is my job. It is not everything I am. It’s a great partnership. I love being here, love being part of that team, but I have three kids at home and I’m a father first. Something important for other parents to realize, don’t let that work week dictate your weekends off. I plan on racing for a long time. I look forward to the next chapter and I think the sponsors out there are clearly going to be able to recognize that Army team was awesome for 19 years and we were so successful overall that it is an open target right now. Eight-time world champion, the winningest team and for the first time maybe in history it is going to be presented as an option. Come on, give us a call.”