NHRA News: Schumacher set to greet troops during holiday trip to Afghanistan (12/19/2002)

Schumacher set to greet troops during holiday trip to Afghanistan

12/19/2002

"It's a real honor to be going over there."
– Tony Schumacher

While the countdown to the 2003 drag racing season is well underway, Tony Schumacher has an important holiday season trip to make before he even considers setting foot on a drag strip. The driver of the United States Army Top Fuel dragster will join a handful of drivers from other race series on a holiday trip to war-torn Afghanistan to visit the U.S. troops and help ring in the New Year.

This once-in-a-lifetime trip was the brainstorm of Schumacher, who has gotten to know hundreds of soldiers over the last two seasons as he's dutifully spread the word about the U.S. Army. "All things told, I couldn't think of a place in the world I'd rather be," Schumacher said.

Schumacher will ship out via Army transport Dec. 28 and spend a week "in country," visiting several undisclosed locations. The details of the trip are highly classified as several high-ranking officers are joining the entourage to help pep up the troops.

"I'm really looking forward to the trip," Schumacher said. "This is an opportunity to bring cheer and good wishes to the troops serving our country. It's also a chance to return the support they have given the U.S. Army Top Fuel Drag Racing Team.

The always-game Schumacher has parachuted with the U.S. Army Golden Knights paratroopers on several occasions. Photo by Perris Valley Skydiving

"Make no mistake, we're not going to a very happy place, but I don't think it will be scary. Just the opposite; I know what the men and women of the United States Army are capable of. We'll be as safe as kittens over there.

"This is a trip of a lifetime. I feel like Bob Hope. In the jobs we have and the fun we have doing our jobs it's sometimes easy to forget or to take advantage of the fact that we are the world's peacekeepers and that these guys and girls are over there protecting our way of life. We got it good and it's because of them that we can do the things we love to do. Going over for a visit is the least I could do."

A native of Chicago, Schumacher was having dinner with a four-star general a few weeks back when he tabled the idea of going over to see the troops and throwing them a New Year's Eve bash. "He said, 'Are you sure you'd want to do that?' I told him I'd do it in a heartbeat. Next thing I know, he's on the phone, and the deal was done a day later.

"Some people have pointed out that I'm married and have a new baby but you could say the same thing about half the soldiers over there and they aren't complaining," he said. "The way I figure it, if I can just get one guy to smile it will all be worthwhile. But I know, after hanging out with these guys over the past few years, I'll be the one smiling. The stories the special ops guys tell are unreal. It's a real honor to be going over there to hang out."

The U.S. Army has a huge presence at many NHRA events. They joined Schumacher at the '00 U.S. Nationals.

Over the course of his involvement with the U.S. Army, Schumacher has joined troopers in firing many of the army's latest weapons, driving tanks, tossing grenades, surviving boot camp, and even jumping out of airplanes and rappelling from helicopters. The training has Schumacher feeling ready to go should violence erupt.

"I don't think we'll be near anything volatile but I told the general they can count on me if the need help," Schumacher said.

Other drivers scheduled to make the journey include NASCAR driver Jerry Nadeau, who recently was named to pilot the U.S. Army Winston Cup car next season.

"It will be nice to spend some time with my new Army teammate," said Schumacher, who finished third in the 2002 NHRA POWERade point standings.

Shortly after returning from Afghanistan, Schumacher will head to San Antonio, Texas, for a U.S. Army-sponsored high school All-America football game, then travel to Firebird International Raceway in Phoenix, Jan. 18-19, for the 2003 National Time Trials. The Phoenix event marks the first official pre-season test for all of the pro drag racing teams.

"Once Christmas comes and goes, my life will clearly take a dramatic turn," said Schumacher, who will celebrate his 33rd birthday Christmas day. "I can't wait."

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