There used to be a day when the Top Fuel competition could at least count on a token first round loss from five-time world champion Tony Schumacher.

To be exact that day was 23 races ago, September 2007 in Memphis, Tenn., the last time the U.S. Army-sponsored driver lost a first round.

Once upon a time, he never got a break.

Now those breaks are falling Schumacher’s way. Case in point, he’s smoked the tires twice in the first round and managed to recover better than his competition. There used to be a day when the Top Fuel competition could at least count on a token first round loss from five-time world champion Tony Schumacher.

To be exact that day was 23 races ago, September 2007 in Memphis, Tenn., the last time the U.S. Army-sponsored driver lost a first round.

Once upon a time, he never got a break.

Now those breaks are falling Schumacher’s way. Case in point, he’s smoked the tires twice in the first round and managed to recover better than his competition.

“We smoked the tires in a couple of races, but our opponents did too and we were able to capitalize on those opportunities,” Schumacher said. “We just didn’t get those breaks before. It’s been a better year than last year, just want the same outcome.”

Schumacher’s 3.771-second pass from Friday at the NHRA Virginia Nationals in Richmond was never challenged during the last two qualifying sessions and as a result he banked his seventh pole of the season and the 54th of his career.

On paper his first round match up looks like a formality, an assumption Schumacher warns against.

Schumacher’s opening round match up will be with 16th-place qualifier, Scott Palmer. This will be their first eliminations meeting of the year.

“He got in the show so he’s more than capable of taking anyone out,” added the Chicago-area resident. “We’ve got to go up to the line and do our normal deal. Again, this is all about taking care of our own business and not worrying about others.”

The “others” include Cory McClenathan, Antron Brown and Larry Dixon, who trail Schumacher in the Top Fuel standings. Schumacher arrived at VMP leading McClenathan by 166 points.

“Palmer is the only guy we’re concerned with,” he added. “We can’t get caught scoreboard watching. That can be a recipe for disaster.”

Schumacher is attempting to capture his fifth consecutive world title and the sixth of his career. To clinch another POWERade trophy tomorrow, he would have to have a 237-point lead on the second-place driver following the race.

“We’ll see what happens,” he said. “To be honest, the cards really have to fall right for that to take place. Our goal is to win the event and then we’ll see where we’re at with the points. Check back with me late Sunday afternoon.”