Schumacher Ties Top Fuel Record with 8th U.S. Nationals Win
INDIANAPOLIS (Sept. 7, 2009) -- For the eighth time in his career Team Valvoline driver Tony Schumacher won drag racing's most prestigious event - the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals. His win Monday at O'Reilly Raceway Park tied the legendary "Big Daddy" Don Garlits for the most U.S. Nationals Top Fuel victories.
It was Schumacher's fourth win of the season and the 60th of his career. He defeated fellow Valvoline driver Larry Dixon in the final round with a 1000-foot run of 3.861 seconds at 314.17 miles per hour. Dixon ran a 4.208 at 222.58.
"This win is special not just because we tied Don Garlits, but because we won Indy again," said Schumacher. "To win this race for the eighth time and put the 60th trophy on my shelf is awesome. This is the U.S. Nationals. To have this much dominance at any track is incredible, but to be able to do it here at Indy is unbelievable. I don't know why this is my lucky track, but I'm sure glad it is."
The U.S. Nationals was the final race before the Countdown to 1 playoffs, which begin at the next race -- the Carolina Nationals, Sept. 20 in Charlotte. The only Team Valvoline driver who did not make the Countdown was Funny Car pilot Matt Hagen.
The other professional winners were: Ashley Force Hood in Funny Car, Jeg Coughlin in Pro Stock and Hector Arana in Pro Stock Motorcycle.
Team Valvoline NHRA Race Results
NHRA Full Throttle Series
Sept. 7
U.S. Nationals
Indianapolis
Top Fuel:
Larry Dixon, Alan Johnson Racing
Runner-up
Point Standing: 2nd
Cory McClenathan, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 5th
Tony Schumacher, Don Schumacher Racing
Won Event
Point Standing: 3rd
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: 2nd
Matt Hagen, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 12th
Tim Wilkerson, Team Wilkerson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 6th
Del Worsham, Alan Johnson Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 8th
Pro Stock
Ron Krisher, Krisher Racing
Lost in First Round
Point Standing: 7th
Pro Stock Motorcycle
Matt Smith, Don Schumacher Racing
Lost in Quarterfinal Round
Point Standing: 4th
Next NHRA Event
Sept. 20
Carolina Nationals
Charlotte
