NHRA News: Schumacher predicts close finish, but likes his chances (8/7/2004)

Schumacher predicts close finish, but likes his chances

By Rob Geiger, NHRA.com
8/7/2004

"I like the spot we're in right now."
– Tony Schumacher

Before anyone gives up on Top Fuel racer and current POWERade points leader Tony Schumacher – as a majority of NHRA.com readers have done in our latest online poll, which has Schumacher listed as the points leader who is most likely to be caught before year's end – the U.S. Army-sponsored pro would like to plead his case.

"I think if people looked at the races left on the schedule and what this exact same group of guys accomplished at those races last year, they might change their opinion," Schumacher said of his 2003 finish, which included three wins and a pair of runner-up finishes down the stretch. "Even so, the championship is probably going to come down to the last race and that's fine by me. The competition is what drives me. I love it."

He certainly has an argument to make. Schumacher's 94-point average over the last eight races of 2003 was unmatched in either nitro category. His closest pursuer was Kenny Bernstein, who ended the year with four victories in the last five races, scoring 710 points from the Western Swing forward. Over that same time frame Schumacher collected 750 markers.

Schumacher leads the class with five victories.
Racers Edge Photography

"I love the position we're in," Schumacher said. "To be honest, I'm as excited as I've ever been to be out here racing. I know [Doug] Kalitta and Brandon [Bernstein] are right behind us but I bet if you asked either one of them they would say they'd rather be leading right now then being the guy doing the chasing."

Currently, Schumacher is a scant 66 points up on Kalitta and 134 ahead of Bernstein. By comparison, John Force has a 146-point edge over his closest pursuer in Funny Car, Whit Bazemore, while Pro Stock Bike leader Andrew Hines is 169 up on Shawn Gann. Greg Anderson is a non-factor as he is so far ahead in Pro Stock he could clinch the title at Indy.

"I guess if you look at the four Pro categories, we're probably the logical choice as the guy who could be caught and passed the easiest simply because our gap is the smallest," Schumacher said. "But right now I'd match us up against anyone. [Crew chief] Alan Johnson knows how to run fast at the tracks we have left on the schedule but so do Kalitta's guys and Tim and Kim [Richards, Bernstein's co-crew chiefs.] It should be a great sprint to the finish.

"Ultimately, if you strip away all the B.S., people come to the drag races to watch two cars and two drivers go head-to-head. It's going to be back and forth so many times between the three of us, and maybe a few others, that no one knows how it will turn out.

"When I won it all in 1999, we had no idea who would win until the last race of the year. It was one of the most exciting finishes ever. I hope we have that again this year because even though this is a job for me, the true love is for the competition and the racing. That's what turns me on. I bet Brandon and Doug would tell you the same thing."

Schumacher hopes to hoist a gold Wally at the end of the year.
Racers Edge Photography

Schumacher might have some extra incentive to clinch his second world title as he continues to mull over a switch to Funny Car in 2005.

"My real passion is for the dragsters but it's something dad [team owner Don Schumacher] and I have talked about," Schumacher said. "We're continuing to monitor the situation and the rule changes the NHRA has made for Top Fuel and we'll gather all the information at some point and make a decision. My preference is to stay in Top Fuel, but anything can happen. There are a lot of variables in play."

Another option for Schumacher Racing, which could come together at any time, is the possible addition of a second Top Fuel dragster to a camp that already boasts two Funny Cars, two Pro Stock Bikes, and a Pro Stock car.

"We have been reminded over and over this year of the benefits a multi-car team has," Schumacher said. "And I don't just mean sharing data on tune-ups and track conditions."

Kalitta, the only Top Fuel contender on a multi-car team, is a perfect 6-0 against teammates Scott Kalitta and Dave Grubnic, including two final-round showdowns that went his way. "It's easy to see how teammates help," Schumacher said.

As for his continued grieving over the loss of his closest on-track buddy, Darrell Russell, Schumacher has found a way to cope.

"I wake up every morning being totally bummed out," Schumacher said. "I miss my friend. Everything has changed, except when I'm in the car. I can't let it in the cockpit with me. I just can't let that happen.

Team Kalitta, which includes Doug Kalitta and Dave Grubnic, are formidable foes for Schumacher.
Racers Edge Photography

"A lot of people have asked if what happened to Darrell scares me. I don't think it does. Like I said, it bums me out because he was my friend, but I've been through two accidents that looked a hundred times worse then Darrell's wreck and I was basically okay. Darrell's deal was just a weird, crazy bunch of coincidences. It was a one-in-a-million shot, just like John Lingenfelter's wreck. Both of those wrecks could happen 100 times more and no one would even get a scratch.

"I don't think a driver can let that stuff bother him or he wouldn't be a good driver any more. You have to learn from it and make the proper changes and I think the NHRA is doing a good job at responding to this tragedy. But we can't let it stop drag racing."

Fortunately, Schumacher has a slight three-round edge in the POWERade points that he needs to focus on protecting, which together with spending as much time as possible with his wife and two boys keeps his mind occupied most of the time.

"I know exactly where we are in the points at all times," Schumacher said, "especially as you start to run out of races. You have to keep up with where you're at. That's part of doing your job. And like I said, I like the spot we're in right now."

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