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NHRA: Team Exide celebrates with Father's Day win in Ohio

22 June 2000

Posted By Terry Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel

CUTS POINT DEFICIET IN HALF

Columbus, OH - Reining Winston Top Fuel Drag Racing Champion Tony Schumacher reeled off one consistent pass after another to take win at the Pontiac Excitement Nationals held here at National Trail Raceway. Just as important, Team Exide closed to within 32 points of the lead for the Winston title.

Schumacher's first qualifying pass, a 4.699 Elapsed Time (E.T.) at 311.63 mph proved good enough for the sixth qualifying position heading into Sunday's eliminations.

On the way to his final round showdown with Joe Amato, Schumacher and company eliminated Rhonda Hartman-Smith, Cory McClenathan, and Kenny Bernstein respectively.

In the final round, Schumacher had the quicker reaction time at the start and pulled away from Amato, who wound up having tire shake problems bad enough to eject the parachutes at half track. Schumacher streaked to his quickest E.T. of the weekend, a 4.648 second run at 315 mph. This was also good enough to set top speed of the event.

"This is such a big win for us," said an emotional Schumacher, "to win on Father's day is awesome. This one is for my dad. "I also want to thank Exide Batteries, Matco Tools, Gates Rubber and all of our sponsors for making it possible for us to experience great days like these." "With Gary Scelzi and Team Winston going out in the previous round, we were able to make a big gain in the points today as well."

With this win, Team Exide jumps up to second in the Winston points chase, just 32 points behind 1997-98 Winston Champion, Scelzi. Larry Dixon moved back into third, 53 points behind Schumacher.

Team Exide's next stop, the Sears Craftsman Nationals at Gateway International Raceway in Madison, Illinois, this coming weekend June 22-24. Final eliminations are held under the lights Saturday night.

Text provided by Dave Engelman

Editors Note: To view hundreds of hot racing photos and art, visit The Racing Photo Museum and the Visions of Speed Art Gallery.