| Tony Schumacher | |
|---|---|
Tony Schumacher (center) and crew with 2009 Top Fuel championship trophy |
|
| Nationality | American |
| Born | December 25, 1969 California |
| Related to | Don Schumacher |
| Top Fuel | |
| Years active | 1996-Present |
| Teams | US Army |
| Wins | 66 |
| Poles | 61 |
| Best finish | 1st (7 times) in 1999, 2004-2009 |
Tony Schumacher (born December 25, 1969 in California), is an American drag racer who is a seven-time NHRA Champion and also the son of NHRA legend Don Schumacher.
Tony is currently competing in the NHRA Top Fuel class, of which he is a seven-time champion (breaking a record set by fellow drag racer Joe Amato), winning the last six years consecutively (2004–2009).[1][2] In 1999 he was the first driver to exceed 330 mph in competition.[3] He also has the world record for fastest 1/4 mile top fuel run: 337.58 mph, earned in 2005 at Brainerd, Minnesota.[4] On September 14, 2008 at the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals in Concord, North Carolina, Schumacher surpassed Joe Amato as the winningest driver in NHRA Top Fuel history with his 53rd career victory.[5]
Schumacher is the son of former funny car driver Don Schumacher and drives for his father's multi-team organization.[6] 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."
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 consists of Top Fuel drives Del Worsham and the driver Schumacher considers his biggest rival, Larry Dixon. Many fans and media members felt Schumacher would not see 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.
He enjoys playing guitar. He also co-owns and operates a home brewing and winemaking supply business called Perfect Brewing Supply.
The very first race Schumacher qualified for in his career 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've raced Blaine the following day, he honored the fallen driver, as he idled down the track. He would make 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 Bassist) on stage at the Chicago Theater.
In 2008, along with 15 time Funny Car Champion John Force, and former champion Funny Car, and retired 4 time Funny Car champ and 2 time Top Fuel world champ Kenny Bernstein, in concert with NHRA's track safety programs, Schumacher helped 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 as a direct result of the death of Funny Car driver Scott Kalitta, and according to several drivers should dramatically cut down on the number of accidents caused by engine explosions.
In 2006, Doug Kalitta had a dominant year all year long, but Tony came into the last race on his heels. Doug qualified number 1 and Tony number 2. Tony would need to go 2 rounds further than Doug as well as set a national record in order to cinch the title. Doug would meet Tony's teammate, Melanie Troxel, in round 3 and would lose on a hole shot. That opened the door for Schumacher, who had to beat almost all odds to win the championship. Tony made it to the final where he had to run a new Top Fuel national record. He won the race and championship, defining everyone.
The 2007 season was another championship year for "the sarge", though he somewhat 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 2nd, Brandon Berenstien was 3rd, and Tony was in 4th place. Rod Fuller lost in round 1, but his title hopes were still alive. Dixon lost 2nd round, and his championship hopes were done. Tony and Brandon both advanced to the semi-finals and had to face each other. If Brandon won the round, he would be the championship. If Tony won the round, he would have to win the race to be the champ. Tony won the round, the race over Bob Vandergriff, and the championship by 19 points over Rod Fuller.
In 2008, Tony had the most dominant season in Top Fuel ever. He won 15 events, 7 in a row, and visited 18 final rounds. He won at least 1 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, NC.
Schumacher won the 2009 Top Fuel championship in dramatic fashion. He was in contention coming into the last race of the season it Pomona, California. His longtime and biggest rival, Larry Dixon and Tony were tied for 1st. 3rd place was held by Tony's teammate, Cory McClenathan. 4th place was held by Tony's other teammate, Antron Brown. 5th place was Brandon Berenstien. By the end of qualifying, round 1, Larry was in front by 1 point. At the end of the qualifying, round 2, Larry was leading by 2 points. At the end of qualifying, round 3, Larry was leading by 1 point. At the end of qualifying, round 4, Tony was leading by 2 points. Tony got ahead by running the second quickest rin in history, a 3.772. Brandon Berenstien was eliminated from the title in qualifying. Antron Brown was eliminated in the 1st round when Tony Schumacher got his round win. Antron was still in contention for the race win, though, and went to the semi-finals to face Tony. Larry Dixon and Cory McClenathan squared of in round 2, with the loser being eliminated from the championship. Ultimently, Larry advanced to the semis to race strong rookie driver Spencer Massey. Spencer defeated Larry, which gave Tony the championship. Antron beat Tony in the semi-finals, though, and went on to win the race over Spencer Massey.
In 2010, Schumacher was a factor all year long but couldn't win the championship over longtime rival Larry Dixon. The Schumacher team as a whole finished 2nd, 3rd, and 4th in Top Fuel respectively. Currently, Cory McClenathan isn't driving for the team. Instead, 2009 rookie of the year Spencer Massey took over McClenathan's spot at the request of DSR team sponsor Honeywell. On Sunday April 17, Tony Schumacher raced with some of the late photographer Chris Radok ashes in his dragster. Radok was murdered in Charlotte N.C. on January 10 2011.