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Tony Schumacher | With the 2008 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series campaign just a few weeks away, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher is already figuring on another edge-of-your-seat type of season. After securing two straight POWERade championships in the last round of the last race of the season, Schumacher assumes the script will remain the same for some fortunate Top Fuel team.
"There’s no reason to think anything will change given the Countdown to the Championship format," he said. "Frankly, I hope we do have a finish like we’ve had the last two years. It’s really terrific for the fans."
Of course, Schumacher will be counting on his U.S. Army team to be right in the middle of the action, from the season-opening 48th annual CARQUEST Auto Parts NHRA Winternationals to the 44th annual Automobile Club of Southern California NHRA Finals in November. But, between now and then, there’s plenty of work to do, beginning with this weekend’s National Time Trials at Firebird Int'l Raceway just outside of Phoenix.
"Preseason testing sets the table for what’s to come," said the Chicago native. "We’ll go out to Firebird with a list of items we want to work on. We’ll shake the car down as much as we can so by the time we get to Pomona (Calif.) two weeks later for the season opener, we’re as prepared as we’re going to be."
In 2007, Schumacher won a fourth straight world title and set the record for most consecutive Top Fuel world championships. Having banked five crowns (he also captured the 1999 championship), he’s now aiming for sole possession of the record for most Top Fuel series titles (he's tied with Joe Amato).
"As an individual statistic, it would be great to achieve that goal," he said. "But, as most people know, I’m all about the team and what we can do as a group. That’s what I’m most concerned with. We want the magic carpet ride to continue in ’08."
Except for a couple of new crewmembers, Schumacher’s team returns pretty much intact, including crew chief Alan Johnson.
"That’s huge when you can keep the same guys around every year," he said. "Having Alan back is ultra huge. Some of the guys involved with the U.S. Army have given Alan the nickname ‘Dr. Nitro.’ I’m not going to argue with that. Is there anyone better than him?
"I’m definitely excited about the forthcoming season. We’re going to try our best to deliver another championship to our soldiers. That’s who we race for, plain and simple." |
