NHRA News: Schumacher promoted to Staff Sergeant, will change nickname (4/1/2004)

Schumacher promoted to Staff Sergeant

By General Pita, U.S. Army
4/1/2004

"This is going to jack up my whole signature."
– Tony Schumacher

Top Fuel points leader Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher has been promoted from Sergeant to Staff Sergeant and will now be known as Tony "the Staff Sergeant" Schumacher to millions of race fans around the world; it was announced Thursday, April 1.

The driver of the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, who joined forces with the U.S. Army at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals in 2000, will realize the standard pay grade increase from an E5 to an E6, meaning he'll now make $2,131.20 per month. Also, due to the fact he works for his father, former Funny Car ace Don "the Shoe" Schumacher, the younger Schumacher will be eligible for hazardous duty pay, which will add an additional $215 to his monthly check.

"Between this pay increase and the money we save at the Post Exchange, we're hoping to move into our own place within three to five years," Schumacher said.

Lieutenant General Dennis Cavin informs Schumacher of his promotion to
Staff Sergeant in Gainesville.
Racers Edge Photography

The 2004 season has been a blockbuster for Schumacher, who, believe it or not, has actually never served in the military. He won the season-opening 44th annual K&N Filters Winternationals and the 35th annual Mac Tools Gatornationals to open up a 66-point advantage in the POWERade points standings heading into this weekend's tilt in Las Vegas.

The 1999 Top Fuel champion, Schumacher has seen a surge in his popularity since crew chief Alan Johnson took over tuning duties on his powerful hot rod in the middle of the 2003 season. Since then, Schumacher has accumulated more championship points then any other driver in the class. Now, with his upgrade in rank, he's concerned about the changes he'll have to make to accommodate his followers.

"This is going to jack up my whole signature," Schumacher said. "I have to figure out how to add 'Staff' in there somewhere. Plus, I just signed a bunch of merchandise for the website the other day and now it's going to be all wrong."

The U.S. Army team will also be forced to make some adjustments. The car, trailer, team uniforms, hats, table covers, awnings, flooring, bar-be-que pit, key chains, screen savers, arm bands, scooters, tow vehicles, lanyards, cups, plates, and balloons will all need to be changed to Schumacher's new rank. The extra downward arrow stripe will be added to "the Sarge's" existing "three-up" configuration.

"We've got some work to do but this Army team really knows how to get the job done," Schumacher said. "I'm confident we'll be up to speed right away."

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