NHRA pros at Joliet, Ill.

Results compiled by Kay Burk
Photos by Michael Fischbeck

Tony Schumacher raced to a milestone 80th career victory in Top Fuel Sunday at the Lucas Oil Route 66 NHRA Nationals presented by General Tire at Route 66 Raceway. Tommy Johnson Jr. (Funny Car), Allen Johnson (Pro Stock) and Hector Arana Jr. (Pro Stock Motorcycle) also were victorious at the 13th of 24 events in the 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season. 

TOP FUEL

On Sunday, July 12, DSR won the Top Fuel and Funny Car trophies marking the 49th time the team has doubled-up by sweeping the nitro titles. It was also the third straight Route 66 NHRA Nationals that DSR swept the sport's premier categories.

U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher became the all-time winningest Top Fuel driver. Schumacher earned his 80th career Top Fuel victory by defeating long-time rival Larry Dixon in the final with a pass of 3.844 seconds at 320.20 mph. The triumph was his 14th in a final versus Dixon and capped a remarkable run to victory in front of a large contingent of Schumacher family and friends.

"Winning here is always sweet," said Schumacher, who lived in Chicago for 45 years prior to relocating to Austin, Texas, last summer. "This place is special. I have so many family and friends here. To win another one for my dad. There is so much emotion in this for me.

"I couldn't have done this today without being surrounded by a remarkable team led by (crew chief) Mike Green and (assistant crew chief) Neal (Strausbaugh). We've had an incredible machine all season and that's been proven with how we've qualified. And today, those guys stepped up big time.

"We were live on ESPN2 today and that meant the turnarounds were quicker," Schumacher continued. "My guys were up to the task all day long. Winning today is a great testament to the group of people I am surrounded by."

Schumacher, who qualified the U.S. Army Dragster for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) second, took out Tony Zizzo with a solid pass of 3.787 seconds at 324.36 mph. Zizzo was making his first appearance on the NHRA Mello Yello tour this year.

The eight-time Top Fuel world champion had his hands full in round two when he lost traction just after the launch, but fortunately J.R. Todd went up in smoke at almost the same time. "The Sarge" eased back into the throttle and got down the track in 5.375 seconds at 271.08 mph to advance to his second straight semifinal.

The Army team adapted and overcame some unwanted adversity prior to the semifinal when a part broke late in the warm-up between rounds. The part was replaced in time for Schumacher to post a .045-second light en route to defeating the quicker Dave Connolly and reach his fifth final of 2015 and seventh of his career at Route 66.

His final-round victory over Larry Dixon broke Schumacher's tie with Kenny Bernstein with four career wins at Route 66 and the NHRA's all-time leader in Top Fuel wins now has five career triumphs at the facility. The win also pushed Schumacher into the lead in the Top Fuel point standings. He'll carry a 20-point advantage over Brown into the three-race NHRA Mello Yello Drag Series Western Swing that begins July 24th in Denver.