{"id":5696,"date":"2016-10-10T19:36:07","date_gmt":"2016-10-11T00:36:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=5696"},"modified":"2016-10-10T19:36:07","modified_gmt":"2016-10-11T00:36:07","slug":"eight-time-top-fuel-world-champion-tony-schumacher-ready-to-dial-up-another-clutch-performance-at-aaa-texas-fall-nationals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2016\/10\/10\/eight-time-top-fuel-world-champion-tony-schumacher-ready-to-dial-up-another-clutch-performance-at-aaa-texas-fall-nationals\/","title":{"rendered":"Eight-time Top Fuel World Champion Tony Schumacher ready to dial up another clutch performance at AAA Texas Fall Nationals"},"content":{"rendered":"

ENNIS, Texas \u2013 Through a standout career that includes eight NHRA<\/a> Top Fuel world championships, Tony Schumacher<\/strong> has displayed an incredible ability to produce remarkable late-season runs to grab a world title.<\/p>\n

\"310-tonyschumacher-traxxas-indy\"<\/p>\n

Trailing teammate and reigning world champion Antron Brown by 141 points, Schumacher will again need to dial up something special in his 10,000-horsepower U.S. Army dragster over the final three events, including this weekend\u2019s 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals at the Texas Motorplex. Schumacher is well aware of that and, as usual, is anxious for the opportunity.<\/p>\n

\u201cWith the way the U.S. Army team has been performing down the stretch of the regular season and the first half of the Countdown, anything is possible,\u201d Schumacher said. \u201cYou never know what\u2019s going to go down on any given weekend, so the way we approach it is to take care of what we can control, and that is to go out and try to be fastest in every qualifying session, then run the table on Sunday.<\/p>\n

\"2016_tony_schumacher\"<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s the best we can do. It\u2019s all about being in the right place at the right time and, if that happens, odds are we can at least take significant chunks out of the points deficit over the next three race weekends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Richie Crampton (Top Fuel), Del Worsham (Funny Car), Erica Enders (Pro Stock) and Jerry Savoie (Pro Stock Motorcycle) were winners of last year\u2019s event that will air on FOX Sports 1 (FS1) for the first time.\u00a0 On Sunday, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET). It is the 21st of 24 in 2016 and the fourth of six in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series Countdown to the Championship playoffs.<\/p>\n

Schumacher, currently fifth in points, has a final round appearance sandwiched around a pair of first-round losses in the Countdown to the Championship, meaning he needs to rack up victories quickly, especially after seeing Brown win in Charlotte and the most recent race at Maple Grove Raceway in Reading, Penn. However, Schumacher also has a Top Fuel-best six wins at the Texas Motorplex and he enjoys the type of pressure this point of the season brings.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll nine of my guys are the absolute best at what they do and, with all the experience we have working together, good things are bound to happen,\u201d said Schumacher, who has 82 career wins, including two in 2016. \u201cWe know what it takes to achieve the ultimate goal and we\u2019re motivated to chase after it relentlessly. It is a gift to be presented with the opportunity to come to bat with the bases loaded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and your team needing a grand slam to win the game, to win the championship. Some people wilt under that kind of pressure.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Army team has proven time and again that it is at its best when those opportunities come around and we have one of those in front of us right now. It\u2019s time to go out and get it done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Regardless of the championship race, Schumacher will be as focused as ever to add another win to his impressive career total this weekend, in part because of his proximity to the track after moving to Austin, Texas.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the best parts of all about living in Austin is that I get to call the Texas Motorplex my home track,\u201d Schumacher said. \u201cWe\u2019ve lived in Austin going on three years now and it\u2019s absolutely great. As for the track, it\u2019s an all-concrete track, so it allows the crew chiefs to really get after it early. Good crew chiefs and better teams are going to go fast there because the realm of possibilities dealing with the track surface and the conditions lend themselves to going fast.\u201d<\/p>\n

In Funny Car, Worsham\u2019s win a year ago helped propel him to his first Funny Car world title. This year, Worsham currently sits in fifth with Capps in the points lead and Tommy Johnson Jr. just 24 points back in second after his victory at Maple Grove Raceway.<\/p>\n

Dominating the new era of Pro Stock is points Jason Line and Greg Anderson. Line has eight wins, including the Countdown opener, and Anderson has seven victories.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle points leader Andrew Hines is after his third straight world title and has five wins in 2016, but teammate Eddie Krawiec has closed the gap to 38 points.<\/p>\n

The AAA Texas NHRA Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series. As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they\u2019re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet.<\/p>\n

Mello Yello Drag Racing Series qualifying will feature two rounds at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 14, and the final two rounds of qualifying on Saturday, Oct. 15, at 12:45 and 3:45 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday, Oct. 16.<\/p>\n

To purchase general-admission or reserved seats, call 800-668-6775. Tickets also are available online at www.texasmotorplex.com<\/a>.\u00a0 Kids 12 and under are free in general admission areas with a paid adult. For more info, visit www.NHRA.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

AAA TEXAS NHRA FALLNATIONALS<\/p>\n

WHAT: 31st annual AAA Texas NHRA FallNationals, the 22nd of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series and the fourth of six races in the NHRA Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship playoffs. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2016 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Texas Motorplex, Ennis, Texas. The track is located at 7500 W. Highway 287.<\/p>\n

COURSE:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Championship drag strip; Track elevation is 500 feet above sea level; Track direction is southwest to northeast.<\/p>\n

WHEN: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 13-16<\/p>\n

SCHEDULE:<\/strong><\/p>\n

THURSDAY, Oct. 13 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

FRIDAY, Oct. 14 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 4:15 and 7:15 p.m.<\/p>\n

SATURDAY, Oct. 15 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 12:45 p.m. and 3:45 p.m.<\/p>\n

SUNDAY, Oct. 16 – Pre-race ceremonies, 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 11 a.m.<\/p>\n

TELEVISION:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Friday Oct. 14, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 7:30 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday Oct. 16, FS1 will televise one hour of qualifying coverage at 1 a.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

Sunday, Oct. 16, FS1 will televise three hours of live finals coverage starting at 2 p.m. (ET).<\/p>\n

2015 EVENT WINNERS:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Richie Crampton, Top Fuel; Del Worsham, Funny Car; Erica Enders, Pro Stock; Jerry Savoie, Pro Stock Motorcycle.<\/p>\n

MOST VICTORIES:<\/strong><\/p>\n

John Force, FC, 7; Tony Schumacher, TF, 6; Warren Johnson, PS, 5; Cruz Pedregon, FC, 4; Greg Anderson, PS, 4.<\/p>\n

TRACK RECORDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.705 sec. by Richie Crampton, Oct. \u201915; 329.18 mph by Dave Connolly, Oct. \u201915<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.909 sec. and 326.32 mph by Jack Beckman, Oct. \u201915<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.457 sec. and 214.59 mph by Greg Anderson, Oct. \u201915<\/p>\n

Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.744 sec. and 198.99 mph by Jerry Savoie, Oct. \u201915<\/p>\n

NATIONAL RECORDS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Top Fuel – 3.671 sec. by Steve Torrence, July \u201916, Sonoma, Calif.; 332.75 mph by Spencer Massey, Aug. \u201915, Brainerd, Minn.<\/p>\n

Funny Car – 3.822 by Matt Hagan, Aug. \u201916, Brainerd, Minn.; 335.57 mph by Hagan, May \u201916, Topeka, Kan.<\/p>\n

Pro Stock – 6.455 sec. by Jason Line, March ’15, Charlotte, N.C.;\u00a0 215.55 mph by Erica Enders, May \u201814, Englishtown N.J.<\/p>\n

PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. \u201912, Reading, Pa.; 199.88 mph by Hector Arana Jr., March \u201915, Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n

TICKETS:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For tickets call (800) 668-6775. Tickets are also available at www.texasmotorplex.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

GLENDORA, Calif. \u2014 Points standings (top 10) following the 32nd annual Dodge NHRA Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway, the 21st of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –<\/p>\n

Top Fuel<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Antron Brown, 2,377; 2.\u00a0 Doug Kalitta, 2,300; 3.\u00a0 Brittany Force, 2,259; 4.\u00a0 Shawn Langdon, 2,258; 5.\u00a0 Tony Schumacher, 2,236; 6.\u00a0 Steve Torrence, 2,214; 7.\u00a0 Leah Pritchett, 2,188; 8.\u00a0 J.R. Todd, 2,183; 9.\u00a0 Richie Crampton, 2,159; 10.\u00a0 Clay Millican, 2,136.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Funny Car<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. Ron Capps, 2,368; 2.\u00a0 Tommy Johnson Jr., 2,344; 3.\u00a0 Jack Beckman, 2,275; 4.\u00a0 Matt Hagan, 2,258; 5.\u00a0 Del Worsham, 2,246; 6.\u00a0 John Force, 2,230; 7.\u00a0 Tim Wilkerson, 2,196; 8.\u00a0 Robert Hight, 2,193; 9.\u00a0 Courtney Force, 2,182; 10.\u00a0 Alexis DeJoria, 2,099.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      Pro Stock<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. Jason Line, 2,389; 2.\u00a0 Greg Anderson, 2,344; 3.\u00a0 Vincent Nobile, 2,306; 4.\u00a0 Bo Butner, 2,256; 5.\u00a0 Shane Gray, 2,242; 6.\u00a0 Chris McGaha, 2,189; 7.\u00a0 Allen Johnson, 2,160; 8.\u00a0 Drew Skillman, 2,157; 9.\u00a0 Jeg Coughlin, 2,115; 10.\u00a0 Erica Enders, 2,104.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

        Pro Stock Motorcycle<\/p>\n

          \n
        1. Andrew Hines, 2,341; 2.\u00a0 Eddie Krawiec, 2,303; 3.\u00a0 Angelle Sampey, 2,289; 4.\u00a0 Chip Ellis, 2,274; 5.\u00a0 Jerry Savoie, 2,271; 6.\u00a0 LE Tonglet, 2,215; 7.\u00a0 Cory Reed, 2,196; 8.\u00a0 Hector Arana, 2,159; 9.\u00a0 Matt Smith, 2,150; 10.\u00a0 Hector Arana Jr, 2,149.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

          Story and photos courtesy of the NHRA<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

          ENNIS, Texas \u2013 Through a standout career that includes eight NHRA Top Fuel world championships, Tony Schumacher has displayed an incredible ability to produce remarkable late-season runs to grab a world title. Trailing teammate and reigning world champion Antron Brown by 141 points, Schumacher will again need to dial up something special in his 10,000-horsepower […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5699,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[4],"tags":[327,6,328],"class_list":["post-5696","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nhra","tag-aaa-texas-fall-nationals","tag-nhra","tag-texas-motorplex"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/310-TonySchumacher-Traxxas-Indy.jpg?fit=2200%2C1464&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-1tS","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5696","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5696"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5696\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5702,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5696\/revisions\/5702"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5699"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5696"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5696"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5696"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}