Schumacher Triumphs Big at Indy for Team Valvoline
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Sept. 1, 2008) -- Team Valvoline driver Tony Schumacher continued his hot streak Monday by winning the NHRA U.S. Nationals Top Fuel title at O'Reilly Raceway Park. Schumacher's Valvoline teammate Jack Beckman was runner-up in the Funny Car category.
The victory capped off a historic performance for Schumacher, who defeated Doug Kalitta in the final round.
Schumacher set NHRA Top Fuel records for wins in a row (6) and wins in a season (11) and he tied former Valvoline driver Joe Amato for most career wins in Top Fuel (52). It was also his seventh U.S. Nationals win and third in a row.
"We want people to remember that this is one of the greatest teams ever," said Schumacher. "You get to the finals and you're down to one round, you're one four-second push of the throttle away from setting all those records, one shot to do it … it's very intense. We had to stay focused. We had to stay a machine."
Beckman nearly pulled of the biggest win of his career, but got edged by Robert Hight in the final round of Funny Car competition. It was the third straight final round appearance for Beckman, who is sixth in the point standings.
With the regular season complete, the NHRA POWERade Series will begin the turn for home with the start of the six-race Countdown to 1 playoff at the brand new zMax Dragway @ Concord, site of the Sept. 11-14 Carolinas Nationals.
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA POWERade Series
Sept. 1
U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis
Top Fuel:
Antron Brown, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Rod Fuller, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal 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
Runner-up
Point Standing: 6th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 1st
Gary Scelzi, Don Schumacher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 14th
Jerry Toliver, Don Schumacher Racing
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 15th
Tim Wilkerson
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 1st
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 9th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Chip Ellis
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Craig Treble
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 9th
Next NHRA Event
Carolina Nationals
Sept. 14
zMax Dragway @ Concord
