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Schumacher and Ermey discuss the Army's 6,000-horsepower Top Fuel dragster.

Top Fuel points leader Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army race team will be featured in an episode of the History Channel's popular show Mail Call Sunday, March 28. The military-themed show answers viewers questions about the various technologies employed throughout history by various fighting forces and soldiers.

The show is hosted by award-winning actor R. Lee Ermey, who rose to prominence as the hard-nosed drill sergeant in the motion picture Full Metal Jacket. Ermey joined Schumacher's U.S. Army-sponsored team during preseason testing at Phoenix's Firebird International Raceway. The film crew also followed the Army team around at the season-opening 44th annual K&N Filters Winternationals.

"That was one cool guy," Schumacher said of Ermey. "He was so into it and he totally had a good time with everything. The guy's a riot – he's got more stories then you can imagine. We had a blast with him. You know, sometimes you meet stars and they're a little full of themselves, or whatever, but this guy was just like you and me, totally down to earth."

The race scene had to be filmed three times.

Although the show's subject matter is kept confidential, Schumacher surmises that the viewer's mail that prompted this episode centered around the U.S. Army's fastest vehicles.

"They wanted to film us lining up and running against Ermey in this 1942 Jeep," Schumacher said. "Let me tell you, that guy's as tough as nails because we filmed three takes and he sat there unprotected with just an old helmet, goggles, and a cigar. We were making real passes so the car was set up to run. He didn't bat an eye. He loved every minute of it."

Mail Call is one of the highest rated series on The History Channel. Ermey, a former Marine, is regarded as one of the most successful actors in film and television. He was a Golden Globe nominee for Best Supporting Actor in Full Metal Jacket and had a featured role in the movie Apocalypse Now. Overall, Ermey has starred or appeared in more than 60 films.

This story is copyright 2004 National Hot Rod Association. It may not be reprinted or retransmitted in any form without the express written permission of NHRA.com.