Joliet is good for Schumacher, Hagan, Jeggie and Ray

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Ron Lewis

Tony Schumacher and Matt Hagan won NHRA Mello Yello event titles Sunday, June 30, at Route 66 Raceway near Chicago to mark the fifth time in 12 events this year and 37th since 2003 that Don Schumacher Racing has swept Top Fuel and Funny Car titles at the same national event.

Jeg Coughlin Jr. won in Pro Stock and Michael Ray took the Pro Stock Motorcycle Wally.

TOP FUEL

Schumacher raced to the Top Fuel victory in spectacular fashion as his U.S. Army dragster’s 8,000-horsepower engine exploded in a huge fireball when he crossed the finish line in the final round of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Route 66 NHRA Nationals.

Schumacher’s fiery finish stopped the clocks in 3.930 seconds at 269.29 mph, but it was quick enough to hold off a determined Clay Millican, whose Parts Plus dragster trailed and the veteran driver remained winless in six career final round appearances. It was the third win of the season and the 72nd overall for local favorite Schumacher, a longtime Chicagoland area resident.

Schumacher powered past David Grubnic, Khalid al-Balooshi and defending world champ Antron Brown to advance to the final round. In the final, Millican was actually ahead of Schumacher near mid-track, but Schumacher’s machine surged forward, the engine eventually expiring just as he crossed the finish line first.

“It’s always great to have a hometown win here in Chicago,” said Schumacher of his fourth victory at Route 66 Raceway, located just south of Chicago. "It was a great day for Don Schumacher Racing with another double-up [Matt Hagan’s Funny Car win]. This is 37 times that we’ve done that, and it was personally gratifying with all the family and friends I had here this weekend.”