DRIVER
TONY SCHUMACHER: "The Sarge"
No one in NHRA Top Fuel history has accomplished what Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher has behind the wheel of his U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster. Schumacher owns seven world titles, 67 career wins, 110 final round appearances and 67 career poles. He has compiled the most wins among Top Fuel drivers and ranks fifth on the all-time pro victories list behind John Force, Warren Johnson, Bob Glidden and Kenny Bernstein. The 2011 season only added to his great accomplishments by finishing in the top five in points for the 10th straight season and qualifying for every race, bringing his qualifying streak to 200; second on the NHRA active driver list.
Schumacher continues to demonstrate the mental, emotional and physical strengths of our Army Strong Soldiers, similar to his championship run in 2009. Working with an entirely new race crew, "The Sarge" piloted the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster to his sixth consecutive Top Fuel crown. He also captured the prestigious U.S. Nationals for the eighth time in his career tying "Big Daddy" Don Garlits for the most all-time Top Fuel wins at that event.
Tony’s 2008 season was one for the NHRA record books as well. With the U.S. Army colors adorning his Top Fuel dragster, Schumacher secured his Top Fuel-record sixth career world title, and became the winningest driver in Top Fuel history with his 53rd career win at ZMax raceway in Charlotte, N.C. During his record-setting season, he also set marks for most consecutive Top Fuel victories in a single season (7) and most consecutive round wins (31).
"The Sarge" made NHRA U.S Army racing history in 2007 when he rallied from 67 points down in the standings to earn his fourth straight world championship. His 2007 title tied him with Don "The Snake" Prudhomme for most consecutive titles with the U.S. Army as his sponsor. Another dramatic comeback came during Schumacher’s 2006 world championship win. Tony grabbed the 2006 crown with a victory during the final round at the last race of the year, while setting a national elapsed-time record for the quarter-mile (4.428-seconds) in the process. It was the biggest comeback in NHRA history. The stunning comeback win came on the heels of back-to-back world championship seasons for Schumacher and the U.S. Army Top Fuel racing team in 2004-2005.
After watching his father, Don "The Shoe" Schumacher, dominate the NHRA Funny Car class in the 1970s, it was only a matter of time before a young Tony Schumacher began his drag racing career. While Tony turned professional in 1996, it was three years later when the California native had his coming-out party driving for his dad’s newly formed Top Fuel team. In his first full NHRA season, he captured his first world championship, and set the foundation for a historic career in racing.
Born on December 25, 1969, Schumacher lives in the Chicago suburbs with his wife, Cara; two sons, Anthony and Michael; and daughter, Jacqueline.
The presence of any information identifying private companies or other non-federal entities does not constitute an endorsement by the Department of the Army or the Department of Defense.
- NHRA Video Blog 1 - Army Racing Team
- NHRA Video Blog 2 - Army Racing Team
- NHRA Video Blog 3 - Army Racing Team
- NHRA Video Blog 4 - Army Racing Team
- NHRA Video Blog 5 - Army Racing Team
- NHRA Video Blog 6 - Army Racing Team
NHRA VIDEO BLOG 1
Army Racing Team
This year we had a big change in crew because the end of last year came about. Our crew chief who had won five world championships with us and also he was leaving for the Al-Anabi team and the majority actually all the team followed him to the Sheik of Qatar's new car. And we had to form a new team and at that point I think a lot of the media had formed or made some statements that we were, we were in trouble or we'd never win again.
We had to assemble a new team and I think this is the absolute perfect example for the Army, that it is not about one guy, because it is not about any one single person. Our team won championships because we had incredible group of people. They moved on to try to race against the Army car; we brought in new guys.
But just like the Army when a General retires the Army doesn't all of a sudden fail, we bring in a new guy and we train a new person. We teach them how to lead and we teach them how to win.
And we put these Army colors on, we're no longer selling auto parts, we're no longer selling beverages, we're selling a way of life and it's incredible how proud and how quickly they become part of an incredible team. We've seen it time and time again.
We've won championships with three different, or two different crew chiefs and this year if all goes well we'll have a chance to win a third.
In every race we bring out Home Town Heroes. And this race here in Ohio, we have Sergeant Christopher Greer who's a Bronze Star recipient from right here in Mansfield, Ohio. And its neat to be able to bring out these guys that have done so much, given so much for our country and show them an awesome team and how the team works and also give them a little bit of entertainment to see their Army car, you know, their own base right here, go out and win races man, it's something really cool to be a part of, I look forward each and every weekend and it's really a pleasure for me.
So, we need to win races and we need to prove that the Army team does not falter because the crew changed because we bring people in. We can motivate and we can excel at anything because we are a great team, planning on winning a championship for you. So again this is Tony Schumacher driving the U.S. Army top fuel dragster signing out. It's time to go race.
