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NHRA: Consistency propels Schumacher into Top Fuel driver's seat again

1 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

JOLIET, Ill. - Just when everyone thought that Tony Schumacher was downright lucky in winning his 1999 NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship, the personable driver from Park Ridge, Ill., is making everyone take a second look.

And he's doing it with speed, power and quickness. Not to mention a car that's as consistent as the old Chevy Nova that dad used to drive to work every morning.

Many of his peers felt like the 30-year-old driver was handed the ride of a lifetime late in 1998. With premier sponsor Exide Batteries on board and veteran crew chief Dan Olson calling the shots, several of Schumacher's competitors thought it would be a waste of good money and tuning talent with an unproven driver behind the wheel.

That was the thought until Schumacher started making a regular habit out of advancing to the final round each Sunday. Then he won. Before the Top Fuel contingent knew what had hit them, Schumacher was standing tall, accepting the Winston championship trophy in what was arguably the most competitive Top Fuel championship chase in NHRA history.

While some drivers might bark 'silver spoon', Schumacher isn't hearing it. He knows what his racing background has included: a lot of long hours in the shop learning the finer points of the mechanical end of the car.

Besides, he doesn't need approval from his peers. He gets enough encouragement from the folks who count the most in his eyes: the fans. "The fans didn't say we backed into it -- it was the other drivers," Schumacher said. "The fans know what's up. They know the real deal. I'll make it real simple -- if (the other drivers) want the Winston championship, it's easy: come beat me. Just beat me, that's all you have to do."

Which could be a tough task for many on his growing list of rivals, including two-time champ Gary Scelzi, five-time champs Kenny Bernstein and Joe Amato and first-time title seeker Larry Dixon. With five final round runs in seven events so far in 2000, Schumacher is holding firm to his promise of doing everything possible to defend his crown.

So far, Scelzi has posed the greatest threat, answering Schumacher in finals at Pomona, Calif. and Atlanta. The two drivers have met often in eliminations this season.

"I hope we meet in eliminations at every race," Schumacher said. "That's what it's all about. When it comes down to it, people want to see side-by-side, cut-throat drag racing where everybody gives their all and there's no average runs. I think Gary and I have met four or five times already. Had we both managed to stay in at a couple of races there's the possibility that we could have raced each other at every event. That's brutal. When you've got the last three Winston championships sitting on the starting line and everybody stands up to watch, it really pumps you up."

As does racing in front of your hometown crowd. Schumacher will have no problem generating additional adrenaline at the third annual Prestone Route 66 Nationals, June 1-4, at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago. The $1.9 million race is the 10th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.

"It's a great place," Schumacher said. "It's our home track. You show up and you have 2,000 friends cheering for you and it gives you a great feeling. It's probably the one race I want to win. Everybody wants to win the U.S. Nationals in Indianapolis, but Chicago is my home track and if I could trade everything to win one race, that's the one I want to win."

* FORCE IN NO HURRY: John Force, who recently notched career win No. 84 onto his drag racing resume, says he'll be patient in his chase of Pro Stock legend Bob Glidden's storied NHRA win record. As far as he's concerned, he's got plenty of time to track it down.

It took the Castrol GTX Ford Mustang driver nine years to earn his first victory, so waiting out the final few days, weeks, or months of his quest to overtake Glidden's mark will be nothing in comparison. Force was a runner-up nine times before he claimed his first career victory, in 1987 at Canada's Le Grandnational.

"I'm certain (No. 85) will come," said Force, runner-up at this event last year to first-time Funny Car winner Tim Wilkerson, from Springfield, Ill. "Maybe not this week, and maybe not next week. Heck, I may not even be the first guy to get there. Warren Johnson has 80 wins. So he's right there too."

* TOLIVER HOLDING FIRM: Jerry Toliver is more determined than ever to remain in his position as Winston points leader in Funny Car, despite the fact that John Force claimed back-to-back victories in Richmond, Va. and Atlanta. The Huntington Beach, Calif., driver has led the point standings since opening with a victory at the Winternationals in Pomona, Calif. He followed that win with a triumph in Gainesville, Fla.

He's so serious that he's using both a Pontiac Firebird body and a Chevrolet Camaro body, depending on the different track surface and atmospheric conditions.

Toliver admits he'll do whatever it takes to remain competitive and stay in the hunt for an elusive NHRA Winston championship trophy. "We are staying clearly focused on our mission," said the WWF Racing driver, sounding just as edgy as some of his wrestling superstar counterparts. "If attitude is what it takes to win races, that's exactly what will give 'em - right in their face."

Text Provided By: Anthony Vestal

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