There aren’t many synonyms for the word “dominant” that haven’t already
been used to describe Tony Schumacher. Perhaps none exist.

Schumacher,
the 38-year-old son of team owner and drag racing pioneer Don
Schumacher, took only three years to prove himself as a professional
driver after his Top Fuel debut in Indianapolis, the oldest and most
storied stop on the NHRA POWERade Series tour, in 1996.

Maybe it was symbolic that the now five-time world champion – he’s won
the last four titles and is working on a fifth consecutive, sixth
overall – started his career in Indy and advanced to the final round in
his first ever start.

After a frustrating San Antonio parts failure, McMillen exacts revenge on rookie Spencer Massey

Terry McMillen had two cars in the finals this weekend. The one he
drove, the Top Fueler, reached the winner's circle. He's won two events
in two seasons.

Terry McMillen isn’t a Top Fuel driver who cries over spilled milk.
That’s why, when a throttle cable prevented him from running for the
Top Fuel crown at the 2008 IHRA season-opener, he didn’t fret.

McMillen just bode his time knowing another opportunity to race the up-and-coming rookie Spencer Massey would present itself.

Sunday afternoon in Grand Bend, Ont., McMillen had the opportunity for
a little bit of payback during the IHRA Mopar Canadian Nationals.

When Pro Stock points leader Greg Anderson becomes your crew chief on
Sunday, that’s usually an indication of how tough your day is going to
be.

Anderson was eliminated in the first round during the NHRA Schuck’s Auto Parts Nationals in Seattle, WA.

Jason Line used the key personnel addition to his advantage. Starting
from the No. 3 qualifying position, Line marched through a tough Pro
Stock field to capture his second national-event victory of the season
- his first ever at Pacific Raceways during the NHRA Schuck’s
Nationals.

"It feels great to win, especially here in Seattle," Line said. "I've
been out here, I don't know how many times, and never had any success
whatsoever even when I raced in Stock eliminator. It feels really good
to win here and it felt really good to drive well today. We didn't have
the greatest car in qualifying - we had some issues. We tested some
parts along the way, which is kind of cool, although you don't want to
be testing at national events. But it all worked out and the guys did a
great job, especially getting down that left lane, which was a little
bit tricky.”

Roger Richards Photos

Pro Modified racer Ed Hoover will be the first to admit you don’t
know when he’s going to win a race, but when he does – it’s spectacular.

Ed Hoover won his 14th national event title and second at Grand Bend.

Hoover the seasoned veteran driver for Paul Trussell broke through
for his 14th career national event victory during the IHRA Mopar
Canadian Nationals in Grand Bend, Ont.

His victory coming at the expense of Tommy D’Aprile.

“This was an incredible weekend and a tribute to Al Billes and my
crew,” Hoover said. “These guys work so hard on this car, night after
night and day after day. Everyone gives up their free time to come with
me to the races. Most of my crew are volunteers and this makes it great
for all of us.”

The Torco Race Fuels Northern Nationals may be headed to Martin, Mich.,
next weekend August 1 -3, but the race will be contested at U.S. 131
Motorsports Park instead of the Knoll Gas Motorsports Park. The
facility reverted to their original name for the first time since title
rights sponsorship was signed in February of 2008.

The track’s website offered no explanation of their decision other than a statement on their website.

Highly successful Alcohol Racer discovers the thrill of victory in the nitro ranks …

Frank Smith Photos

 
When the Canidae All Natural Pet Food sponsored team of Jim Dunn left
Bandimere Speedway last weekend after a DNQ effort at the NHRA Mopar
Mile High Nationals in Denver, there wasn’t much of a sense of
jubilation. In fact, there wasn’t much to talk about.

Well, maybe there was.

Being a nitro Funny Car has perks as Tommy Johnson Jr., knows all too well.

Prior to the NHRA event at Infineon Raceway, Johnson will be down on
the field at AT&T Park Wednesday, July 23 during pre-game warm- ups
with his friend Aaron Rowand.  A star San Francisco Giants outfielder,
Rowand became friends with Johnson and wife Melanie Troxel in 2006 when
they met at the ESPYS. 

Earlier this year, Rowand and some of his teammates had an opportunity
to watch Johnson compete at Firebird Raceway in Chandler, Ariz.

When you drag race at 24 national events per season, like three-time
and reigning Pro Stock world champion Jeg Coughlin Jr., your vacations
tend to coincide with your job. Such is the case this week as the
52-time national event winner spends some time in California's renowned
wine country for some R&R&R -- Rest, Relaxation, and Racing.

"The Sonoma race has become a bit of a yearly family retreat for us,"
Coughlin said from the heart of the Napa Valley. "For the past 10 years
we've come here directly from the Seattle race for some golf and
swimming and general lounging around. My son, lil' Jeggie, is on summer
vacation so he's able to join us, and we really have some fun."

Although Coughlin is doing his best to do nothing for a few days, he
admits his mind is never far away from the upcoming Fram-Autolite NHRA
Nationals at picturesque Infineon Raceway.

"Make no mistake, we're here to win," said Coughlin, who claimed glory
at Infineon in 2003, the last time he entered the race as the defending
series champion. "This is an exciting race for a number of reasons.
First, it's a Bruton Smith-owned facility so it's first-rate. Second,
the weather can produce absolutely exceptional racing conditions.

Top Fuel driver Doug Kalitta has earned a reputation for being tough to
beat in the Sonoma Valley, and he will be recognized for his
achievements during the FRAM Autolite NHRA Nationals, July 25-27.

Kalitta will be inducted into the Infineon Raceway Wall of Fame on
Sunday, July 27, during pre-event ceremonies, making him the fourth
NHRA driver to be enshrined.

He’ll join Pro Stock driver Warren Johnson (2005), as well as Funny Car
drivers John Force (2006) and Gary Scelzi (2007) in the Wall of Fame,
which was created in 2005.

Kalitta has five-career victories on the Infineon Raceway drag strip,
including three consecutive (1998-2000) and two back-to-back (2004,
2005).  He is one of only two NHRA drivers to ever three-peat at
Infineon Raceway, the other being John Force (1990-1992). He is the
winningest Top Fuel driver in the Sonoma Valley.