Travis Shumake has long sought to chart his own path in drag racing.

The son of legendary Funny Car racer Tripp Shumake recently took a significant step in that direction as he began the licensing process behind the wheel of a Top Fuel dragster on the Tuesday following the NHRA U.S. Nationals.

Shumake, who acquired his Top Fuel dragster, affectionately named "Judith Light," in the spring of 2023, made three runs down the Indianapolis Raceway Park track.

During the session, Shumake gradually improved his performance. His first pass covered nearly 200 feet, while the second reached around the 400-foot mark before tire smoke forced him to shut off the car. On his third attempt, Shumake executed a planned 600-foot shut off, clocking in at an impressive 3.939 seconds and 254.90 mph. Not only did this run count towards Shumake's Top Fuel license, but it also surpassed his previous best pass of 3.967 seconds in a nitro Funny Car.

"Tuesday's session was exactly what we wanted," Shumake said. "It wasn't just about seat time; it was about understanding the car and some of the new technology we've added." 

As an owner-driver, Shumake explained how his perspective has shifted, saying, "Nothing feels better than turning around in the shut-off area and seeing the power plant in one piece."

Shumake acknowledged the speed and potential of his dragster, emphasizing the importance of gradually exploring its capabilities while gaining more seat time in preparation for the upcoming season. He added, "It's nice to take things slow because we can. I didn't want to get out of the car, but they said it's not safe to sleep inside the cockpit."

The "Judith Light" dragster has an illustrious lineage of former drivers and owners, including Blake Alexander and Josh Hart, both of whom secured two wins in the dragster. Furthermore, Mike Salinas had initially purchased the dragster from Hart with the intention of having his daughter race it before ultimately deciding to construct a brand-new car. The dragster has now been fully customized to accommodate Shumake's 6' 4", 200 lb frame.

"Having the driver's compartment completely rebuilt for my giant dimensions really changed the experience," Shumake said. "It's a tight squeeze, but it's the most comfortable and safe I've felt in any car."

Although Shumake comes from a family rooted in the nitro Funny Car class, with his father being a national event-winning Funny Car driver, the Top Fuel dragster is truly new to the family's drag racing heritage.

Shumake made his competitive debut in NHRA when he drove Randy Meyer Racing's Top Alcohol Dragster during the 2022 season. Throughout the year, he participated in four national events, qualifying in the third position at the NHRA Carolina Nationals in Charlotte and achieving a career-best semifinal finish at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Pennsylvania.