(Joe McHugh photo)

Tony Schumacher and the U.S. Army team led by Mike Green and assistant Neal Strausbaugh lost in the championship round to Doug Kalitta, but the U.S. Army team was able to take over the points lead from teammate Antron Brown, who lost in the quarterfinals to Schumacher in the Matco Tools/U.S. Army dragster.

"We're off to a tremendous start to the season," said Schumacher, who holds a 33-point lead over his DSR teammate Spencer Massey and is 37 ahead of Brown. 

The eight-time and reigning Top Fuel world champion narrowly missed earning his second victory of the season when his engine exploded halfway down the track allowing Kalitta to pull out the victory. 

“The Sarge” opened the day from the number two position in ladder and put up a track record pass of 3.726 seconds versus Jenna Haddock to advance to the second round. Schumacher then dispatched of his U.S. Army and DSR teammate Antron Brown with a run of 3.774 seconds at 326.48 mph. He advanced to his 134th career final by defeating Clay Millican with a lap of 3.855 seconds at 319.37 mph setting up the 16th time Schumacher and Kalitta raced with a Wally on the line.

Schumacher had a huge early lead after posting a .009 reaction time, but his engine exploded and he could not hold onto the lead.

Taya Kyle, widow of “American Sniper” Chris Kyle spent time with Steve Torrence, who is helping publicize the Chris Kyle Frog Foundation to help military personnel and their families, (Ron Lewis photo)

Unable to capitalize on a first round upset of J.R. Todd, Steve Torrence lost a position in the Mello Yello driver standings.