Schumacher and Exide Seek First NHRA Top Fuel Victory
19 February 1999
Park Ridge, Illinois -- Tony Schumacher has earned four final round appearances in his young driving career, but he has yet to find his way to the NHRA winners' circle. He has one victory to his credit, however, and that came at Firebird International Raceway last month during the Hot Rod Magazine P.R.O. National Time Trials.Schumacher's Exide Batteries Top Fuel team returns to Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix on February 25 - 28 for the Checker, Schuck's, Kragen Nationals presented by Pennzoil, the second of twenty-two NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series events.
"I feel really good going back to Firebird," said Tony in anticipation of his return to Phoenix. "We sorted out our new combination there last month and ran 4.61 at almost 320 (MPH) without breaaking any parts. We ran even quicker (4.55) and faster (324.75 MPH) at Pomona and we still haven't broken any parts. That kind of performance gives a driver a lot of confidence."
The January testing at Firebird was critical for the reorganized Exide team. With Bob Brandt moving to the new position of Team General Manager, Tony learned to work with new Crew Chief Dan Olson, a new crew and an entirely new engine and drive train combination. The results thus far give promise to the season ahead.
"I'm really pleased with the spirit of teamwork here," stated Team Owner Don Schumacher. "Bob is learning to run the business end of the team and Dan's crew has a real handle on a very competitive combination. We're going to win some races this year and there's no better place to start than Phoenix."
"Gary Scelzi and Larry Dixon ran quicker than we did in testing," reflected Tony, but they tested in Tucson. We wanted to test at Firebird because we race there. All those test runs give us data which we can use to our advantage next week. The track was in great shaape and we expect to run even better than we ran in Pomona."
"Mike Dunn went 0 for 4 in final rounds last year, but look what he did at Pomona," observed Tony with reference to Dunn's national record 4.503 perfrmance and race victory at the Autozone Winternationals. "Heck, John Force was runner up seven times before he won his first race. They paid their dues and I've paid mine. It's time to go all the way."
Top Fuel qualifying is scheduled for noon and 4 p.m. on Friday, February 26 and Saturday, February 27 with Checker, Schuck's Kragen Nationals final eliminations at 11 a.m. on Sunday, February 28. Television coverage of the event will be aired on TNN on Sunday, March 7 from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times.
Tony Schumacher and the Exide Batteries Top Fuel Dragster will participate in a special expo at Symphony Hall Terrace in Phoenix from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, February 24. The expo presented by Checker, Schuck's, Kragen and Pennzoil is intended to promote NHRA Winston Drag Racing and to attract new fans to Firebird International Raceway. More than 20 NHRA teams will also participate.