NHRA News: U.S. Army race team to salute WWII veterans (11/5/2004)

U.S. Army race team to salute WWII veterans

11/5/2004

"They're heroes and deserve every piece of recognition we can give them."
– Antron Brown

Coinciding with this year's Veterans Day celebrations, the U.S. Army race team will carry a special salute to World War II vets at the historic 40th annual Auto Club of Southern California NHRA Finals at Pomona Raceway. The race, the 23rd and final POWERade Drag Racing Series event of the year, runs from Nov. 11-14.

The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster driven by 2004 Top Fuel world champion Tony Schumacher will be dressed in green with white lettering, while the U.S. Army Pro Stock Bikes, driven by three-time series champion Angelle Savoie and her teammate Antron Brown, will be distinguished by the colors green and brown, respectively, both with white lettering.

"With the dedication of the World War II Memorial and the celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Invasion of Normandy earlier this year, it seemed fitting to take this opportunity to say thanks to this special group of Veterans as well as all those who have served our nation in the Armed Forces," said Col. Thomas Nickerson, Director of Strategic Outreach for the U.S. Army Accessions Command.

"Today's soldiers are carrying on the proud tradition of those who served before them. Each generation of soldiers has made unique and special contributions to our nation and to the world. Each generation of soldier has faced the challenges of their time with honor and courage. Those serving our country today in the Global War on Terror are no different. They are truly patriots whose valor and dedication are inspiring."

Tony Schumacher's U.S. Army WWII Top Fuel dragster.

Schumacher, Savoie, and Brown are all keenly aware of the significance the World War II special paint scheme has with Veterans' Day – November 11 – falling on opening day of the race weekend.

"I believe this is a great thing," Schumacher said. "We've won a bunch of races for the U.S. Army this season, but winning the season finale at Pomona carrying this special paint scheme would mean that much more to all of us."

Schumacher will be trying for his 10th Top Fuel victory of the season in Pomona, which would set a single-season record for the Top Fuel category. Currently, Schumacher's nine wins ties him with Gary Scelzi and Larry Dixon for the record.

Savoie and Brown are still involved in a heated battle for the POWERade championship in Pro Stock Bike and are within four points of one another in the standings. Brown has 1,035 points, 117 behind leader Andrew Hines, while Savoie trails the No. 1 rider by 121 points.

As much as they'd like to have a miracle run in Pomona and somehow come away with the POWERade title, their thoughts are with the veterans and soldiers they are representing.

"It's a real honor to be driving for the U.S. Army overall, but I'm particularly proud that we're going to be able to single out the World War II veterans in Pomona," Savoie said. "It will show that we haven't forgotten what they did for our country."

"Most of us know someone in our family or know someone in a friend's family who is a World War II vet," Brown said. "Like today's soldiers, they were all heroes and deserve every piece of recognition we can give them. I'm hopeful that either Angelle or I can top the weekend off with a victory. That would be a nice present for all of them."

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