8X NHRA Champ Tony Schumacher Seeking A Career First In Career

Story By: SCOTT SMITH / NHRA – CONCORD, NC – The more challenges the better as far as Tony Schumacher is concerned, which is why the eight-time Top Fuel world championship always looks forward to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, which take place this weekend at state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway.

Matched up against three other 10,000-horsepower dragsters, creating a sensory experience unmatched in drag racing, Schumacher and his standout U.S. Army team eagerly anticipate the extra challenge of one of the biggest spectacles in the sport. Now the longtime Top Fuel star who has 83 career wins hopes to add his first NHRA Four-Wide Nationals win to his incredible resume.

“You can’t make a little mistake because there are three other drivers who can capitalize on it,” Schumacher said. “Normally, you might be able to make a mistake and there’s a chance the other driver will make one, too. But when there are three of them, you’ve got a couple guys who are going to be ice cold. You have to be a machine to win the Four-Wide. You have to be as ice cold as you can ever be to get the job done. I want that Four-Wide trophy. It’s a race I haven’t won and our mission this weekend is to be the last one standing.”

Brittany Force (Top Fuel), Tim Wilkerson (Funny Car), Jason Line (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were last year’s winners of a race that will be televised on FOX Sports 1, including a broadcast of the finals on Sunday, April 30 at 5:30 p.m. (ET). It is the sixth of 24 events during the 2017 NHRA season, and it’s already been a banner start for Schumacher. He sits third in points, having already traded impressive blows with Don Schumacher Racing teammates Leah Pritchett, who has three wins and the points lead, and back-to-back world champ Antron Brown, with Schumacher posting an early-season victory at Gainesville.

“This U.S. Army team hit the ground running at the start of this season and what it all comes down to is the fact we’ve got a great racecar, which leads to a great attitude for the driver and everyone on the team,” Schumacher said. “Things have come together here in the early part of the season where the fruits of our labor of paid off and we’ve had a great racecar everywhere we’ve gone.”

Bouncing back from a second-round loss in Houston, which bumped Schumacher out of the points lead, is next on the agenda during this stretch of three straight races.

The uniqueness of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals throws a massive curveball into the mix during a busy span, but Schumacher isn’t about to run from the challenge.

“This race is certainly different from all of the others, but it’s still my job to leave the starting line at the light and get to the finish line first,” Schumacher said. “My job is to drive a racecar no matter how many cars are there. If you’re racing in this series and you don’t look forward to being challenged each and every day, you’re in the wrong business. What it comes down to is you’re only as good as your next run. With the start we’ve had to this season, it puts just another bounce in your step when you go to work each day. We still have a long way to go.”

Funny Car veteran Wilkerson won for the first time at zMAX Dragway last year, and will face off against the likes of defending world champ Ron Capps and points leader Matt Hagan in 2017.

Line’s first Four-Wide Nationals victory came in Pro Stock and he will look to grab momentum from fellow 2017 winners Greg Anderson, Bo Butner Shane Gray and rookie Tanner Gray.

In Pro Stock Motorcycle, Hines will try to make it two straight Four-Wide wins over the likes of Gainesville winner Eddie Krawiec and defending world champ Jerry Savoie.

The NHRA J&A Service Pro Mod Drag Racing Series makes the third of 12 stops at zMAX Dragway. The event also features thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series, showcasing the future stars of the sport. After Nitro qualifying on Friday, fans can watch the spectacular Muy Caliente Racing jet dragsters sponsored by Lucas Oil alongside Hanna Motorsports jet Funny Cars, and Douthit Motorsports Black Pearl Nostalgia Jet Funny Car as well. Jet cars are thrust driven vehicles propelled by jet engines with exciting pre-run flame shows.

As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and get autographs from their favorite NHRA drivers. Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4 and 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 28 and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, April 29, at 1:30 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 12 p.m. on Sunday, April 30.

Be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $107. Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com or call the box office at (800) 455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.