Schumacher Shines for Team Valvoline
Tony Schumacher's 2008 magical ride continued in Las Vegas. He not only clinched his fifth consecutive and sixth overall NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world championship, but the Valvoline driver also won Sunday's race, his 15th victory of the season and 56th of his career.
Schumacher, who defeated fellow Valvoline driver Ron Fuller in the finals, will have the opportunity in two weeks at the season finale in Pomona, Calif. (Nov. 16) to set the all-time NHRA single season victory mark.
"Every race we have won it's getting harder and harder to do it because the bar is so high," said Schumacher. "I had a good car and we won. It was perfect, just perfect. It's how it's been all year long."
Valvoline Funny Car driver Tim Wilkserson dropped from first to second in the NHRA point standings after losing in the first round. He trails Cruz Pedregon, who won the event, by 12 points.
"We'll go to Pomona and try again, there's not much we can do about it," said a disappointed Wilkerson.
The following are Valvoline Racing NHRA Team Results
NHRA POWERade Series
Nov. 2
The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway
Las Vegas
Top Fuel:
Antron Brown, David Powers Motorsports
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 3rd
Rod Fuller, David Powers Motorsports
Runner-up
Point Standing: 6th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 1st
Bob Vandergriff Jr., Vandergriff Motorsports
Did Not Qualify
Point Standing: 13th
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 5th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 8th
Gary Scelzi, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 14th
Jerry Toliver, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 15th
Tim Wilkerson
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 10th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Chip Ellis
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Craig Treble
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 8th
Next NHRA Event
Nov. 16
Pomona, Calif.
