SCHUMACHER STILL HAS "UNFINISHED" BUSINESS
Tue, 2008-11-11 18:35
With the 2008 NHRA season finale looming this weekend at Auto Club Raceway, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher 
finds himself in a surprisingly less than celebratory mood.
Despite clinching his fifth consecutive POWERade world championship in Las Vegas two weeks ago, Schumacher is aware his existing U.S. Army team will be disbanding at the conclusion of the Auto Club of Southern California Finals.
Schumacher’s crew chief, Alan Johnson, is leaving the organization to start his own Top Fuel and Funny Car operation in 2009 and most of the U.S. Army crew will be joining Johnson. With the 2008 NHRA season finale looming this weekend at Auto Club Raceway, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacherfinds himself in a surprisingly less than celebratory mood.
Despite clinching his fifth consecutive POWERade world championship in Las Vegas two weeks ago, Schumacher is aware his existing U.S. Army team will be disbanding at the conclusion of the Auto Club of Southern California Finals.
Schumacher’s crew chief, Alan Johnson, is leaving the organization to start his own Top Fuel and Funny Car operation in 2009 and most of the U.S. Army crew will be joining Johnson.
“I’m certainly happy that we captured another world title, but at the same time I’m a little sad knowing this will be our last race together,” said the Chicago-area resident. “I’ve known these guys for so long, they’re like family to me. After we’re done on Sunday, I’m confident there will be plenty of handshakes and hugs to go around.”
Prior to the big farewell, Schumacher and his team have some unfinished business to deal with in the form of collecting two additional NHRA records. Having already set a plethora of records in ‘08, the team can break Greg Anderson’s 2004 single season victory mark (15) with a win in Pomona, while shattering Anderson’s 2004 single season round win total (76).
“We’re going after both of those records,” said Schumacher. “I said it before and I will say it again – we want to put an exclamation point on what’s been an incredible year. Perhaps, we can set the bar so high that no other team will ever be able to reach it.”
With Veteran’s Day occurring just prior to his trip to California, Schumacher would also like to honor the soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice with a victory.
“I would absolutely love to do just that,” he added. “We can’t forget those brave men and women. They’re forever etched in our hearts.”
finds himself in a surprisingly less than celebratory mood.Despite clinching his fifth consecutive POWERade world championship in Las Vegas two weeks ago, Schumacher is aware his existing U.S. Army team will be disbanding at the conclusion of the Auto Club of Southern California Finals.
Schumacher’s crew chief, Alan Johnson, is leaving the organization to start his own Top Fuel and Funny Car operation in 2009 and most of the U.S. Army crew will be joining Johnson. With the 2008 NHRA season finale looming this weekend at Auto Club Raceway, U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher
finds himself in a surprisingly less than celebratory mood.Despite clinching his fifth consecutive POWERade world championship in Las Vegas two weeks ago, Schumacher is aware his existing U.S. Army team will be disbanding at the conclusion of the Auto Club of Southern California Finals.
Schumacher’s crew chief, Alan Johnson, is leaving the organization to start his own Top Fuel and Funny Car operation in 2009 and most of the U.S. Army crew will be joining Johnson.
“I’m certainly happy that we captured another world title, but at the same time I’m a little sad knowing this will be our last race together,” said the Chicago-area resident. “I’ve known these guys for so long, they’re like family to me. After we’re done on Sunday, I’m confident there will be plenty of handshakes and hugs to go around.”
Prior to the big farewell, Schumacher and his team have some unfinished business to deal with in the form of collecting two additional NHRA records. Having already set a plethora of records in ‘08, the team can break Greg Anderson’s 2004 single season victory mark (15) with a win in Pomona, while shattering Anderson’s 2004 single season round win total (76).
“We’re going after both of those records,” said Schumacher. “I said it before and I will say it again – we want to put an exclamation point on what’s been an incredible year. Perhaps, we can set the bar so high that no other team will ever be able to reach it.”
With Veteran’s Day occurring just prior to his trip to California, Schumacher would also like to honor the soldiers who have given the ultimate sacrifice with a victory.
“I would absolutely love to do just that,” he added. “We can’t forget those brave men and women. They’re forever etched in our hearts.”
Categories:
