A Learning Experience for U.S. Army Duo in Norwalk

Schumacher, Brown Lose Traction in Second-Round Exits

When the smoke cleared Sunday following the 11th annual Summit Racing Equipment NHRA Nationals, the U.S. Army Racing tandem of Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher and Antron Brown were able to identify a silver lining as the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series reached the halfway point in the 2017 campaign. Schumacher and Brown advanced to the second round at Summit Racing Equipment Motorsport Park in Norwalk, Ohio, and despite each being defeated after losing traction midway through their respective runs, both teams gained valuable data to move forward with.

Schumacher and his U.S. Army team led by crew chief Mike Green and assistant crew chief Phil Shuler debuted a new U.S. Army Dragster for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR) Friday and made progress with the machine throughout the weekend. The eight-time Top Fuel world champion was seeking his second triumph of the 2017 season and second of his career in Norwalk. After qualifying eighth, Schumacher opened Sunday by defeating Mike Salinas with a pass of 3.789 seconds at 326.56 mph to earn the 796th round win of his career. The victory resulted in “The Sarge” taking on top qualifier Doug Kalitta in the second round. Schumacher was hoping to duplicate his Norwalk victory over Kalitta in the second round of the 2014 NHRA Nationals, but Sunday in their 85th career meeting, he lost traction and smoked the tires just before the midway point of the run allowing Kalitta to take the win.

“The U.S. Army car went down the track every time until that second round run,” said Schumacher. “This is a new car and we made six runs. My guys continued making changes to make it better. Doug (Kalitta) has been running well this weekend and we knew it was going to take our best run to beat him. Unfortunately, that was the first time we really spun the tires that far down the track. We know what is going on. We have to fix what is going on. We have all been frustrated, but we’ve been doing this a long time. We’re halfway through the year and we’ve won championships a lot of different ways. The big picture is still in focus. None of us like to lose. We will figure it out, no matter how hard we have to work at it.”

Brown started his quest for a second Norwalk victory from the five position on the ladder. The three-time and reigning Top Fuel world champion started Sunday with his fourth victory in five career races against Dom Lagana. The driver of the Matco Tools/U.S. Army Dragster of DSR was smooth in the right lane posting a lap of 3.768 seconds at 323.35 mph to earn his 12th first-round victory of the season. Up next was his sixth 2017 matchup with DSR teammate Leah Pritchett. Brown was quicker off the starting line, but hazed his rear tires midway through the run and coasted to the finish line posting a lap of 5.187 seconds at 142.16 mph.

“This sport can humble you really quick,” said Brown. “We were right where we wanted to be. We were out there just racing hard and we knew we were going up against our teammate (Leah Pritchett). We pushed real hard. The track just got away from us. Plain and simple. We just got a little too aggressive. So that’s one of those deals you learn from. And you build from. There is still a lot of racing left. All it’s doing right now is making us a lot more hungry. We just have to go out there and keep digging. That’s our main focus. Chicago is a couple weeks away and we love racing in Don Schumacher’s hometown. And when we get there, our Matco Tools/U.S. Army team will be ready.”

After 12 of 24 events on the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series tour for 2017, the top-10 drivers in the Top Fuel class are:

1. Steve Torrence (1,071 points)

2. Leah Pritchett (1,021 points, -50)

3. Antron Brown (990 points, -81)

4. Tony Schumacher (856 points, -215)

5. Doug Kalitta (781 points, -290)

6. Brittany Force (734 points, -337)

7. Clay Millican (695 points, -376)

8. Terry McMillen (477 points, – 594)

9. Troy Coughlin, Jr. (464 points, -607)

Scott Palmer (464 points, -607)

Round 13 for the 2017 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series competitors is the 20th annual Fallen Patriots Route 66 NHRA Nationals at Route 66 Raceway in Joliet, Illinois July 7-9. FS1’s will broadcast live coverage of qualifying Saturday, July 8 at 5 p.m. EDT and eliminations Sunday, July 9 at 3 p.m. EDT.