SCHUMACHER LOSES IN QUARTERFINALS, FINISHES SECOND IN POINTS |
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Topics: Tony Schumacher
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U.S. Army Racing
November 14, 2010
POMONA, Calif., November 14, 2010 -- U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher lost a quarterfinal round race to his U.S. Army Racing teammate, Antron Brown, here Sunday in the Auto Club of Southern California Finals at Auto Club Raceway.
Schumacher posted a 3.878-second pass at 303.09 mph, but Brown in his Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster was a bit quicker with a 3.858-second run at 318.84 mph.
Despite the early round departure, Schumacher still locked up second-place in the standings behind Full Throttle world champion Larry Dixon.
"We have had a great race car the last few races, so it was a little disappointing to go out the way we did," said Schumacher. "We were side-by-side until just past half track and then I started to spin the tires. He nosed ahead of me right at the finish line. It's unfortunate, but it is what it is.
"We know we gave it all we had for our Army Strong Soldiers. We never gave up this year, I can guarantee you that."
Entering race day, Schumacher held out hope for a seventh straight world title. However, Dixon shattered those dreams with a first round win over Mike Strasburg.
"Once he clinched, we turned our attention to winning the race," he said. "But, I guess it just wasn't our day. Listen, we still had a good season. We won six races which a lot of teams would take in a heartbeat.
"We know how tough it is to win these things and you're not going to be on top forever. Larry and his team deserve to be the champions. I have a lot of respect for them. That team was with me for many years, so I know how talented a group they are."
Schumacher, a Chicago-area resident, will now enjoy some time off and the forthcoming holidays before turning his attention to the 2011 season.
"To be honest, I wish we were starting tomorrow," he said. "We know we have a fast hot rod, so we're already looking forward to next year. We'll be anticipating another awesome battle for the championship."
Following his win over Schumacher, Brown disposed of Morgan Lucas in the semifinals and then Shawn Langdon in the finals en route to his first victory of the season.
Brown laid down a 3.840-second trip at 311.99 mph to Langdon's 4.185-second jaunt at 306.46 mph. It was Brown's second straight win in the fall Pomona event.
"It took a while, but we finally got it (a win)," said a jubilant Brown, who finished fourth in the final points. "We can now go into the off season with a positive feeling."
Over in the U.S. Army NASCAR Racing camp driver Ryan Newman, in his No. 39 U.S. Army Veterans Day Chevrolet, finished second in the Kobalt Tools 500 Sprint Cup race at Phoenix International Raceway.
Newman will finish the 2010 Sprint Cup season next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
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