Championship Drag Racing

Fram Autolite NHRA Nationals
Sonoma, CA
(July 29-31)

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Tony Schumacher U.S. Army dragster

Sonoma, Saturday: Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, aboard his familiar black and gold U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, claimed the pole position here Saturday for tomorrow's FRAM Autolite Nationals at Infineon Raceway.

Schumacher kept the competition at bay on Saturday while pocketing his fifth pole of the year and the 16th of his career.

In the heat of the day, during the final qualifying session, the 2004 NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world champion recorded a 4.576-second pass at 324.05 mph to solidify his standing.

"That was pretty stout," he said. "The track was hot and challenging, but Alan Johnson (his crew chief) figured it out as he always does. The trick now is to take this momentum into race day."

Schumacher will square off with 16th-place qualifier, John Smith, in the opening round of eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. PDT.

"The last time we faced Smith in the first round, he beat us," added the Chicago native. "You clearly can't take anyone for granted in this sport."

Schumacher enters race day 44 points ahead of second-place Doug Kalitta in the Top Fuel standings.

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