Championship Drag Racing

SummitRacing.com NHRA Nationals
Las Vegas, NV
(April 12-15)

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Driver Profile

Tony Schumacher U.S. Army dragster

Las Vegas, Saturday: Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, who pilots the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, held on to the number one starting spot here Saturday following the final day of qualifying for tomorrow's SummitRacing.com Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

Schumacher used his Friday pass of 4.479-seconds to clinch his third pole of the season and the 38th of his career.

"Not to throw a wet blanket over our accomplishment but, unfortunately, we did not get down the track today," said the Chicago native. "I think we went about a total of 12 feet or so in the two sessions. With that said, we'll definitely be prepared for Sunday. We'll look at the data from today's runs and see where we need to improve."

The four-time NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion will take on 16th- place qualifier, J.R. Todd, in the opening round of eliminations beginning at 11 a.m.

Todd and Schumacher came into the Las Vegas event second and third, respectively, in the point standings behind leader Rod Fuller.

"We've had some tough battles the last couple of years, so tomorrow should not be any different," added Schumacher. "He's a good driver with a good team. We'll have to be at the top of our game to advance to round two."

A footnote to Saturday's action at The Strip found Schumacher going around Doug Kalitta for the longest Top Fuel qualifying streak after the latter failed to make the show. Schumacher has now banked 89 consecutive starts since his last DNQ at Englishtown, N.J. in 2003.

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