Tony Schumacher pocketed his sixth career NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world championship on Saturday after qualifying number one for tomorrow’s ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

While Schumacher came into the weekend having only to make the 16-car field to capture his fifth consecutive crown, he went on to take his eighth pole of the season and the 55th of his career.

“That’s the way the U.S. Army team does things,” said the Chicago-area resident. “We wanted to get the pole and win the championship in the proper way. We didn’t want to merely slide into the bottom half of the order. Now, we can go out and celebrate a little bit.” Tony Schumacher pocketed his sixth career NHRA POWERade Top Fuel world championship on Saturday after qualifying number one for tomorrow’s ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

While Schumacher came into the weekend having only to make the 16-car field to capture his fifth consecutive crown, he went on to take his eighth pole of the season and the 55th of his career.

“That’s the way the U.S. Army team does things,” said the Chicago-area resident. “We wanted to get the pole and win the championship in the proper way. We didn’t want to merely slide into the bottom half of the order. Now, we can go out and celebrate a little bit.”

Schumacher’s celebration will be mild at best since he has to compete in the 23rd event of the year on Sunday. He’ll take on 16th-place qualifier, Joe Hartley, in the first round of eliminations beginning at 11 a.m. PT.

“We’ll gather as a team tonight to reflect on what’s been a great season, but then we have to get some rest for what we hope will be another long day,” he added. “Our job is to win races and we’ve got two more left on the table.”

Over the next couple of weeks, Schumacher will be attempting to set records for most wins in a single season and most round wins in a single season.

“Our Soldiers operate on a high level and that’s what we strive to do as well,” he offered. “There’s no question that we’re going to take our best shot at those records.”

Prior to clinching his sixth title, Schumacher, in recognition of his outstanding support to the U.S. Army, was promoted to Honorary Staff Sergeant by his long-time sponsor.

Presiding over the promotion ceremony was the Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army, Kenneth Preston.

“For sure, that means a lot to me,” he said. “It’s no secret that I love the association that we have with the U.S. Army. I wouldn’t trade the relationship I have with our Soldiers for anything in the world.”