NHRA: Schumacher ready for intense fight in gritty Top Fuel battle
4 October 2000
Posted By Terry
Callahan
Motorsports Editor, The Auto Channel
MILLINGTON, Tenn. - Tony Schumacher knows that in order
to keep his status
of champion in the competitive world of NHRA Top Fuel racing, he's going
to
have to be ready for one heck of a fight as the series begins the journey
toward its final four events.He knows earning valuable Winston points at each event is crucial. One point gained or lost could be the difference in the championship outcome.
Following the event at Heartland Park Topeka, Schumacher found himself just 49 points behind two-time series champion Gary Scelzi. The two drivers have traded the lead for much of the season, and now less than three rounds of competition provides the separation.
Indeed, every single point at the 13th annual AutoZone Nationals presented by Pennzoil, Oct. 5-8, at Memphis Motorsports Park, could be the determining factor in deciding the Winston champion for the 2000 season. The $1.8 million race is the 20th of 23 events in the $45 million NHRA Winston Drag Racing Series.
That's why Schumacher - a four-time winner in nine final rounds this year - will place a premium on qualifying as well as eliminations. If he should set a national record for elapsed time, he could earn an extra 20-point bonus.
He has his sights set on earning the NHRA maximum - 138. He feels anything less than that simply won't do. Not in this cut-throat championship battle.
"A point here or there can make or break the season, it's that simple," said Schumacher, the defending Winston Top Fuel champion and driver of the U.S. Army dragster. "You just have to make the most of every opportunity. We knew at the beginning of the season the championship chase was going to go down to the wire. This has been a fun battle with Gary, and now we're ready to finish the deal. I'm sure his team has the same plan. That's what makes this sport a lot of fun."
HERBERT SEEKS IMPROVEMENT: What a difference a year can make. Just ask Doug Herbert.
Last season at Memphis Motorsports Park, Herbert was celebrating his best season ever in NHRA Top Fuel competition with a victory. This year, as the Cherryville, N.C. driver returns to defend his title, he's looking to regain some of that magic.
A semifinal appearance at Maple Grove Raceway lifted his spirits somewhat as he clings to ninth place in the Winston points order. He desperately needs a win in his Snap-on Tools dragster to counter-balance the 10 first round losses that mire his 2000 performance chart.
"This has been frustrating," said Herbert, who won four of six finals and finished seventh in the Winston Top 10 in '99. "On the plus side, the engine looks good and is making good power. We're still looking for consistency."
FINALLY, A WIN FOR SARVER: After successful careers in short track stock car racing and go kart racing, Bruce Sarver finally conquered drag racing. After posting two runner-up finishes in his only final round appearances during a three year stint in Top Fuel competition, the Bakersfield, Calif. driver broke through for his first NHRA victory three weeks ago at Maple Grove Raceway in Mohnton, Pa. in a Funny Car.
Sarver, driving the Alan Johnson-owned and tuned E-moola.com Pontiac Firebird, outran the U.S. Tobacco Chevy Camaro of Ron Capps in the final. "It hasn't sunk in yet, but it's a pretty cool feeling," said Sarver, who logged more than 200 kart wins and was a top late model stock car competitor in NASCAR's Winston Racing Series. "Drag racing has been a challenge and when you make mistakes, this sport will humble you instantly, and I have been humbled a lot. It's a dream come true."
Text Provided By Anthony Vestal
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