Schumacher, Beckman Claim NHRA Wins in Reading
Team Valvoline drivers put on a dominant show of racing over the weekend, scoring four wins in NASCAR and NHRA competition.
At the NHRA national event in Reading, Pa. Valvoline drivers Tony Schumacher (Top Fuel) and Jack Beckman (Funny Car) won in their respective divisions.
Schumacher, who beat Larry Dixon in the final round, equaled a couple of his own NHRA Top Fuel records -- most wins in a season (10) and most consecutive wins (five).
"This is simply amazing," said Schumacher."We're in a zone right now, to say the very least. We're going to continue to enjoy this run as long as we can."
Beckman was just as excited as he captured his second Funny Car win of the season, driving the Valvoline Dodge for Don Schumacher Racing. He defeated his mentor and former Funny Car champion Frank Hawley in the final round.
"Imagine being a Little League player and you get to pitch against Mickey Mantle. Frank Hawley has been all of that to the sport," explained Beckman, who was runner-up last week in Brainerd, Minn. "To have him come back in adds a whole other dimension to this...and, heck no, I wasn't going to cut him any slack."
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA POWERade Series
Aug. 17
Reading, Pa.
Top Fuel:
Alan Bradshaw, Tuttle Motorsports
Did Not Enter
Point Standing: 15th
Antron Brown, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Rod Fuller, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 4th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Bob Vandergriff Jr., Vandergriff Motorsports
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 12th
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 9th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 8th
Gary Scelzi, Don Schumacher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 13th
Jerry Toliver, Don Schumacher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 15th
Tim Wilkerson
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 1st
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 9th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Chip Ellis
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Next NHRA Event
Sept. 1
U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis
