SCHUMACHER LOSES IN QUARTERFINALS |
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Topics: Tony Schumacher, Toyo Tires NHRA Nationals
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U.S. Army Racing
October 10, 2010
MOHNTON, Pa., October 10, 2010 -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher dropped a quarterfinal round race to Antron Brown here Sunday in the Toyo Tires Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
Schumacher posted a 3.865-second pass at 313.22 mph, but his Don Schumacher Racing/U.S. Army Racing teammate was quicker with a 3.829-second run at 317.57 mph.
"That was a tough one," said the defending world champion. "Obviously, this second round loss hurt our championship hopes. But, I can tell you that we're going to keep working hard and will never give up. That's how our Army Strong Soldiers do it."
The Chicago-area resident arrived at Maple Grove Raceway 94 points removed from Larry Dixon at the top of the standings. Still holding third-place, he will depart the historic track well off the pace with just two races left on the schedule.
"Again, we're not going to quit," he added. "We'll try to win the last two races and see how it all shakes out. That's the only way you can look at it right now."
After beating Morgan Lucas in the first round, Schumacher was hopeful he could match up with his other Don Schumacher Racing teammate, Cory McClenathan, in the semifinals. However, Brown, who pilots the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster, had other ideas.
"That's clearly what we wanted given the fact Cory holds second-place in the points," said Schumacher. "But, you have to give credit to Antron and his team. They went out and put up a good number and beat us fair and square. That's the way it goes sometimes."
At press time, Brown and McClenathan were slated to meet in the semis. A New Jersey native, Brown was seeking his first national event win of the year.
The NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series will now take two weekends off before heading to The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the Las Vegas Nationals over Halloween weekend.
"I know my U.S. Army team will go out there looking to take home a victory," said Schumacher. "Failure will never be accepted in our camp, I can guarantee you that."
Also at press time, U.S. Army NASCAR Racing driver Ryan Newman was scheduled to start 14th in the Pepsi Max 400 Sprint Cup race at Auto Club Speedway in Fontana, Calif.
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