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Tony Schumacher


Drag Racing

Tony Schumacher
Person

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Wikipedia: Tony Schumacher (drag racer)

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Biography
Photographs
Article Index
Born: 25 December 1969
Nickname:  The Sarge (for driving the U.S. Army sponsored car)

A top fuel drag racing driver.

Biography

The following section is an excerpt from Wikipedia's Tony Schumacher (drag racer) page on 13 August 2017, text available via the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.

Tony Schumacher (born December 25, 1969), is an American drag racer who is an eight-time NHRA Champion. He is the son of NHRA legend Don Schumacher. He attended St. John's Military Academy in Delafield Wisconsin and Schumacher is currently the driver of the U.S. Army Top Fuel Dragster.

As of April 2017, Schumacher is competing in the NHRA Top Fuel class, of which he is an eight-time champion (breaking a record set by Joe Amato), winning six years consecutively (2004–2009). In 1999, he became the first driver to exceed 330 mph in competition. He also has the world record for the fastest 1/4 mile top fuel run: 337.58 mph, earned in 2005 at Brainerd, Minnesota. On September 14, 2008, at the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, North Carolina, Schumacher surpassed Joe Amato as the driver with most wins in NHRA Top Fuel history with his 53rd career victory. On April 15, 2012, at zMax Dragway, Schumacher was the first top fuel driver to reach the 330 m.p.h. mark in the 1,000 foot NHRA era. However, he did not keep the record long as Spencer Massey broke the record the same day going 332.18 m.p.h..

Schumacher is the son of former funny car driver Don Schumacher and drives for his father's multi-team organization. He has been sponsored for several years by the U.S. Army and his intense personality and buzzcut hairstyle has earned him the nickname "Sarge". "The Sarge" nickname originally applied to the dragster, but soon came to be affiliated with the driver himself.

At the end of the 2008 season, he parted ways with longtime crew chief Alan Johnson, who went on to form his own team, Al-Anabi Racing. Al-Anabi Racing consisted of Top Fuel driver Del Worsham and the driver Schumacher considers his biggest rival, Larry Dixon. Many fans and media members felt Schumacher would not have the success he had in previous years as Johnson was the Army Top Fuel team's tuner during his run of five consecutive titles. Schumacher met Dixon and Johnson in the semi-final round early in 2009 at The Strip in Las Vegas, beating his former crew chief's new driver. Schumacher went on to win the event and won the following race in Houston.

The very first race for which Schumacher qualified was in 1996, at the MAC Tools U.S. Nationals, qualifying 16th. However, during that event, tragedy struck during qualifying when then points leader Blaine Johnson was killed in an accident. Schumacher would have raced Blaine the following day. He honored the fallen driver as he idled down the track. He made it all the way to the finals, before losing to his former DSR teammate, Cory McClenethan. In 2007, Schumacher joined Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen bass guitarist) on stage at the Chicago Theater.

In 2008, along with the 15 times Funny Car Champion John Force, and the former champion Funny Car, and retired 4 times Funny Car champion and twice Top Fuel world champion Kenny Bernstein, in concert with NHRA's track safety programs, Schumacher helped to develop a sensor that detects any engine backfire in a nitromethane engine, and takes corrective steps to protect the driver, shutting down the fuel pump, and deploying the parachutes. This experiment was a direct result of the death of the Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, and according to several drivers should dramatically cut down on the number of accidents caused by engine explosions.

Doug Kalitta dominated throughout 2006, but Schumacher came into the last race on his heels. Kalitta qualified number 1 and Schumacher number 2. Schumacher needed to go two rounds further than Kalitta as well as set a national record in order to win the title. Kalitta would met Schumacher's teammate, Melanie Troxel, in round 3 and lost on a hole shot. That opened the door for Schumacher, who had to beat almost all odds to win the championship. He made it to the final where he had to run a new Top Fuel national record. He won the race and championship

The 2007 season was another championship year for "the Sarge", though he struggled with round 1. He had 12 first round losses that year. In the last race, Rod Fuller was in first place, Larry Dixon was second, Brandon Berenstien was third, and Schumacher was in fourth place. Fuller lost in round 1, but his title hopes were still alive. Dixon lost in the second round, and his championship hopes were done. Schumacher and Brandon both advanced to the semi-finals and had to face each other. If Brandon won the round, he would be the champion. If Schumacher won the round, he would have to win the race to be the champion. Schumacher won the round, the race over Bob Vandergriff, and the championship by 19 points over Fuller.

In 2008, Schumacher had the most dominant season in Top Fuel ever. He won 15 events, seven in a row, and visited 18 final rounds. He won at least one round at every race that year. He passed Joe Amato for most championships with six, and most race wins, with 53 after winning in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Schumacher won the 2009 Top Fuel championship in dramatic fashion. He was in contention coming into the last race of the season at Pomona, California. He was tied for first place with his longtime and biggest rival, Larry Dixon. Third place was held by Schumacher's teammate, Cory McClenathan. Fourth place was held by Schumacher's other teammate, Antron Brown. In fifth place was Brandon Bernstein. By the end of qualifying, round 1, Dixon was in front by 1 point. At the end of the qualifying, round 2, Dixon was leading by 2 points. At the end of qualifying, round 3, Dixon was leading by 1 point. At the end of qualifying, round 4, Schumacher was leading by 2 points. Schumacher got ahead with the second quickest run in history, a 3.772. Bernstein was eliminated from the title in qualifying. Brown was eliminated in the 1st round when Schumacher got his round win. Brown was still in contention for the race win, though, and went to the semi-finals to face Schumacher. Dixon and Cory McClenathan squared off in round 2, with the loser being eliminated from the championship. Ultimately, Dixon advanced to the semis to race the strong rookie driver Spencer Massey. Massey defeated Dixon, which gave Schumacher the championship. Brown beat Schumacher in the semi-finals, though, and went on to win the race over Massey.

In 2010, Schumacher was in contention all year long but could not win the championship over his longtime rival Dixon. The Schumacher team as a whole finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in Top Fuel. After the 2010 season, Cory McClenathan was released by the team and 2009 rookie of the year Spencer Massey took over his spot at the request of DSR team sponsor, Honeywell.


Photographs

2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, seven-time world champion Tony“The Sarge” Schumacher thanks his fans, his team and the Army at the 10-year anniversary celebration of partnership between the U.S. Army, Don Schumacher Racing and the National Hot Rod Association at the Don Schumacher Racing facility in Brownsburg, Ind., Sept. 3. Tony Schumacher and military representatives later unveiled the new U.S. Army Dragster before racing it at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (10:58)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 529KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
U.S. Army Accessions Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver, seven-time world champion, Tony“The Sarge” Schumacher and Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston cut cake at the unveiling of the U.S. Army Dragster at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis Sept. 3. The ceremony marks ten years of partnership between the U.S. Army, the National Hot Rod Association and Don Schumacher Racing.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (15:04)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 480KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Don Schumacher & Tony Schumacher Don Schumacher & Tony at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, U.S. Army Accessions Command Commanding General Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, U.S. Army Racing Team owner Don Schumacher, National Hot Rod Association President Bob Compton and seven-time world champion Tony“The Sarge” Schumacher stand with the new U.S. Army Dragster at O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis Sept. 3. The vehicle was unveiled and presented to a welcoming crowd from the pit of the O’Reilly Raceway track that evening.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (15:15)
View photo of Don Schumacher & Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 558KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston prepares to promote Tony Schumacher to his new honorary rank of sergeant first class during the unveiling ceremony of "The Sarge", at the O'Reilly Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 3. During the race,“The Sarge” passed the finish line with an impressive speed of 324.83 mph setting a new speed record at the O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (15:49)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 384KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Army's NHRA newest hot rod "The Sarge" was unveiled to the public on Sep. 3 at the O'Reilly Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Ind., after pilot Tony Schumacher's honorary promotion to the rank of Sgt. First Class. During the race, Schumacher and“The Sarge” passed the finish line with an impressive speed of 324.83 mph setting a new speed record at the O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Photo by Sgt. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo, 3 September 2010 (16:22)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 196KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
The U.S. Army Top Fuel Hot Rod rockets off the starting line at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Sept. 3. The hot rod, driven by seven-time world champion Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher was unveiled earlier in the day, marking 10 years of partnership between the U.S. Army, the National Hot Rod Association and Don Schumacher Racing. “The Sarge” set acourse speed record at 324.83 mph finishing third for the day.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (19:27)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 529KB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
The U.S. Army Dragster roars off the starting line, reaching a speed of 324.83 mph and setting a track record at the O’Reilly Raceway Park in Indianapolis, Sept. 3. The dragster, driven by seven-time world champion Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher, marks ten years in an ongoing partnership between the U.S. Army, the National Hot Rod Association and Don Schumacher Racing.
Photo by U.S. Army Spc. John Crosby, 3 September 2010 (19:27)
View photo of Tony Schumacher at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 2.3MB
2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Tony Schumacher's Car 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals
Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston begins to unveil "The Sarge" during a brief ceremony at the O'Reilly Raceway Park, Indianapolis, Ind., Sept. 3. During the race, the Sarge passed the finish line with an impressive speed of 324.83 mph setting a new speed record at the O'Reilly Raceway Park.
Photo by Sgt. Joseph Rivera Rebolledo, 3 September 2010 (19:49)
View photo of Tony Schumacher's Car at the 2010 Mac Tools U.S. Nationals - 351KB


Article Index

DateOriginal PublisherArticleAuthor
1 February 2006National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceGary Scelzi
Tony Schumacher
18 October 2006National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceBrandon Bernstein
Antron Brown
Andrew Hines
Doug Kalitta
Angelle Sampey
Tony Schumacher
30 January 2007National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceJohn Force
Tony Schumacher
2 October 2007National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceJeg Coughlin
Gary Scelzi
Tony Schumacher
Bob Vandergriff
17 October 2007National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceGreg Anderson
Brandon Bernstein
Ron Capps
Jeg Coughlin
Robert Hight
Andrew Hines
Gary Scelzi
Tony Schumacher
8 July 2008National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceGary Scelzi
Tony Schumacher
3 September 2008National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceTony Schumacher
Matt Smith
Tim Wilkerson
21 October 2008National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceJeg Coughlin
Tony Schumacher
Matt Smith
Tim Wilkerson
28 January 2009National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceLarry Dixon
Allen Johnson
Spencer Massey
Don Schumacher
Tony Schumacher
15 September 2009National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceAntron Brown
Ron Capps
Jeg Coughlin
Eddie Krawiec
Tony Pedregon
Tony Schumacher
11 November 2009National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceRobert Hight
Cory McClenathan
Tony Schumacher
15 November 2009SCHUMACHER CLAIMS SIXTH STRAIGHT WORLD TITLE, DEDICATES TROPHY TO FORT HOOD FAMILIESU.S. Army Racing
3 February 2010National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceAshley Force Hood
Tony Schumacher
14 February 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES TIGHT RACE IN SEMIFINALSU.S. Army Racing
21 February 2010SCHUMACHER OUSTED IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
14 March 2010SCHUMACHER TAKES OUT TEAMMATE IN FINALS MOVES INTO POINTS LEADU.S. Army Racing
28 March 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES IN SECOND ROUNDU.S. Army Racing
11 April 2010SCHUMACHER UPSET IN FIRST ROUNDU.S. Army Racing
18 April 2010SCHUMACHER DEPARTS IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
2 May 2010"THE SARGE" COLLECTS SECOND WIN OF THE YEARU.S. Army Racing
16 May 2010SCHUMACHER SOLIDIFIES POINTS POSITION, DESPITE LOSS IN SEMIFINALSU.S. Army Racing
23 May 2010SCHUMACHER COLLECTS 100TH NHRA WIN FOR U.S. ARMYU.S. Army Racing
6 June 2010SCHUMACHER MOVES INTO SECOND PLACE WITH FINAL-ROUND APPEARANCEU.S. Army Racing
13 June 2010SCHUMACHER GOES OUT IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
20 June 2010SCHUMACHER BANKS FOURTH WIN OF THE YEARSU.S. Army Racing
25 June 2010SCHUMACHER IN MIX FOR ESPY BEST DRIVER AWARDU.S. Army Racing
27 June 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES TO DIXON IN SEMIFINALSU.S. Army Racing
7 July 2010National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceGreg Anderson
Tony Schumacher
11 July 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES TO BROWN IN SECOND ROUNDU.S. Army Racing
18 July 2010SCHUMACHER DROPS FINAL ROUND RACE TO DIXONU.S. Army Racing
25 July 2010SCHUMACHER BEATEN BY DIXON IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
15 August 2010SCHUMACHER REACHES QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
6 September 2010SCHUMACHER DROPS OUT IN SEMIFINALSU.S. Army Racing
19 September 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES TO DIXON IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
26 September 2010SCHUMACHER COLLECTS FIFTH WIN OF THE YEARU.S. Army Racing
10 October 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
31 October 2010SCHUMACHER SPRINTS TO SIXTH WIN OF SEASON MOVES INTO SECOND-PLACE IN STANDINGSU.S. Army Racing
8 November 2010National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceLarry Dixon
John Force
Matt Hagan
Tony Schumacher
14 November 2010SCHUMACHER LOSES IN QUARTERFINALS, FINISHES SECOND IN POINTSU.S. Army Racing
16 February 2011National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceRon Capps
Don Garlits
Don Prudhomme
Tony Schumacher
22 February 2011SCHUMACHER LOOKING TO REGAIN WORLD TITLEU.S. Army Racing
27 February 2011SCHUMACHER TAKEN OUT IN QUARTERFINALSU.S. Army Racing
13 March 2011SCHUMACHER LOSES IN FINALSU.S. Army Racing
1 February 2012National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceJeg Coughlin
Cruz Pedregon
Tony Schumacher
31 October 2012National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceAntron Brown
Spencer Massey
Tony Schumacher
6 March 2013National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceRon Capps
Eddie Krawiec
Tony Schumacher
11 April 2013National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceTony Schumacher
10 July 2013National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceTony Schumacher
22 August 2013National Hot Rod Association Media ConferenceTony Schumacher





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