Defending NHRA Top Fuel world champion, Tony Schumacher, began preparing for the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
season with a three-day test session at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway last weekend.

Working with a new crew chief in Mike Green and a brand new team, overall, Schumacher still managed to produce low elapsed time and top speed by the final day.

“We had an awesome weekend,” said the Chicago-area resident. “Given the fact it was the first time we worked together, it was a terrific way to kick things off. The crew guys are great and Mike Green is brilliant. We all worked extremely well together. There’s not much to complain about when you put up the kind of numbers that we did.”

Over three days, the U.S. Army team made 11 runs, trying different combinations along the way. Schumacher’s best 1,000-foot pass was 3.812-seconds at 317.05 mph.


 

Defending NHRA Top Fuel world champion, Tony Schumacher, began preparing for the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series
season with a three-day test session at Palm Beach (Fla.) International Raceway last weekend.

Working with a new crew chief in Mike Green and a brand new team, overall, Schumacher still managed to produce low elapsed time and top speed by the final day.

“We had an awesome weekend,” said the Chicago-area resident. “Given the fact it was the first time we worked together, it was a terrific way to kick things off. The crew guys are great and Mike Green is brilliant. We all worked extremely well together. There’s not much to complain about when you put up the kind of numbers that we did.”

Over three days, the U.S. Army team made 11 runs, trying different combinations along the way. Schumacher’s best 1,000-foot pass was 3.812-seconds at 317.05 mph.

“We accomplished a bunch down in Florida,” added Schumacher. “Now, we’ll head out to Phoenix this weekend looking to refine things even more. We want to be sharp by the time we get to Pomona (Calif.).”

Schumacher will travel to Firebird International Raceway for the National Time Trials before moving over to Auto Club Raceway, February 5-8, for the ’09 season opener – the Kragen O’Reilly Winternationals.

The six-time world champ, who is the defending Winternationals event champion, is looking forward to his 14th professional season.

“Without question, we’re going to be challenged, but that’s what makes this sport what it is,” offered Schumacher. “I feel confident that we’re going to be among the championship contenders. I can’t wait to get going.”