Spencer Massey won the Top Fuel portion of the Traxxas Nitro Shootout, which was run during the first weekend of U.S. National competition. (Ron Lewis photo)

Tony Schumacher made history when he drove his U.S. Army ROTC dragster to his ninth Top Fuel Dragster title in the U.S. Nationals.

Schumacher defeated DSR teammate Spencer Massey's Prestone/FRAM team in the championship round to break a tie with drag racing legend "Big Daddy" Don Garlits with eight titles at Indy. Schumacher is now tied with Pro Stock great Bob Glidden for most pro category wins at the world’s most prestigious drag race.

"All in all it was a good weekend for us," Massey said. "Just qualifying here for the 16-car field when 27 cars were trying to make the show was an accomplishment. This is the first time I've made the final round here but
losing hurts a little less considering it was to a teammate. We would have loved to have won the race but
we're going rounds. We really wanted that U.S. Nationals trophy, but we'll have to wait until next year."

DSR's Antron Brown driving for Matco Tools lost to Massey in the semifinals but was able to
clinch the top-seed for the start of the six-event NHRA Countdown to the Championship.
The top-10 drivers after the first 17 events of the season advance to the Countdown
when points are reset at 10-point increments, and the points leader receives
a 20-point bonus so Brown will lead Massey, who is No. 2 in the standings,
by 30 when racing begins Sept. 14 at zMAX Dragway in Charlotte.

TOP FUEL