Team owner believes shortened distance is the easiest fix for slowing cars …
Don Schumacher has been around drag racing long enough to understand
the value of traditionalism. He’s also been around long enough to
understand safety always trumps routine.
The veteran team owner has had his differences with the sanctioning
body over various issues, but when it comes to slowing the nitro cars
and running 1,000 feet in the meantime, he’s certainly on their side of
the issue.
“I support the NHRA 100-percent in their decision to keep the cars
racing at 1000 feet,” Schumacher said. “I believe it’s helping the
sport safety wise by the simple fact it’s giving them another 320 feet
to slow down. We’re continuing to work hard with the NHRA to try and
slow the cars down to where we can take them back to 1320.
“Reducing the horsepower is a tough road to go,” Schumacher added.
“It’s going to be expensive and difficult. It’s going to create
situations where you are going to have to keep the tires spinning
adequately to get through the clutch. It’s a hard task but we need to
continue to work with everything we have to keep these cars as safe as
possible for the drivers, spectators and all the racers out here.”