NHRA Drivers Schumacher, Krisher Grab Wins for Team Valvoline
BAYTOWN, Texas (March 29, 2009) -- Team Valvoline enjoyed a successful NHRA national event Sunday, scoring two wins and two runner-up finishes at Houston Raceway Park.
Tony Schumacher captured the Top Fuel win, defeating his Don Schumacher and Valvoline teammate Cory McClenathan in the final round. It was the first win of the season for Schumacher and the 57th of his career.
Schumacher ran a 3.881-second elapsed time at 314.75 miles per hour to edge McClenathan at the Texas event. Schumacher's march to the final included a semifinal victory over Larry Dixon, who won two weeks ago in Gainesville, Fla.
"I feel so happy for (crew chief) Mike Green and the guys," said Schumacher. "They wanted to get this first one in the worst way for our Army Strong Soldiers. I'm giving the trophy to Mike to put in his office."
Ron Krisher gave Team Valvoline a victory in the Pro Stock category as the veteran driver defeated Jeg Coughlin in the finals. It was the eighth career win for Krisher, who drives the Valvoline Cobalt.
"We have a good car, good power, and it's pretty exciting," said Krisher. "I think between [engine builder] Mike [Edwards] and I, we are as powerful as anyone in this class right now."
Jack Beckman, driving the Valvoline Dodge, lost in the Funny Car final to Ashley Force Hood. Beckman posted a respectable 4.227-second elapsed time but it was slightly slower than Force Hood's time of 4.122.
Though Pro Stock Motorcycle rider Matt Smith lost in the semifinal round, he jumped to first place in the category's point standings. Ron Capps, a first-round loser in Texas, remains first in the Funny Car point standings.
Team Valvoline NHRA Results
NHRA Full Throttle Series
March 29, 2009
Houston Raceway Park
Baytown, Texas
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 2nd
Funny Car
Jack Beckman, Don Schumacher Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 6th
Ron Capps, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 1st
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 7th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 11th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 2nd
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 6th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Semifinal Round
Point Standing: 1st
Next NHRA Event
April 5
The Strip at Las Vegas
Las Vegas
