Schumacher Leads Toyota In Qualifying for NHRA SpringNationals

Five Toyota Nitro Drivers Qualify In Top Five

BAYTOWN, TX – Tony Schumacher continued his amazing qualifying run in placing second with a 3.685-second pass at 330.07 mph to lead Toyota in qualifying for Sunday’s NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park. Schumacher was one of five Toyota drivers to qualify in the top five in the Nitro ranks.

Schumacher was second-quick in each of the day’s qualifying sessions. He’s now finished no worse than second in any session over the past three races, including earning number one qualifier honors in St. Louis. He will open Sunday’s eliminations against Cameron Ferre.

“It was a great day of qualifying with two good laps,” said Schumacher, who lives just a few hours away in Austin. “Right now, we have one more race next weekend and I want to drive my best, I want the Okuma/Sandvik Coromant Toyota to perform its best and to show what we’re good at and capable of. That’s winning drag races. It’s Texas and our friends and family are here. The crowd is outstanding. They gave us a great racetrack and we’re looking forward to Sunday.”

Schumacher was joined in the Top Fuel top five by fellow Toyota drivers Antron Brown in fourth and Doug Kalitta in fifth. Brown earned one bonus point for placing third in Saturday’s second session with a 3.741-second run. He will match up with Scott Palmer in round one.

After struggling in round one, Kalitta bounced back strong to place fifth with a 3.764. He enters Sunday’s event just 60 points out of the Top Fuel point lead and will race Kebin Kinsley in the opening round. Should both he and Brown win their first-round battles, they will square off in an all-Toyota second round.

Shawn Langdon also qualified in the top half of the field, placing eighth. His first-round opponent will be Justin Ashley.

Both Toyota Camry Funny Car drivers also qualified in the top-five on Saturday. J.R. Todd ran the second-quickest pass of the opening round with a 3.923 at 328.62 mph on the way to placing third overall. He will race Terry Haddock on Sunday morning.

Alexis DeJoria placed fifth with a 3.958-second run. It marks the fourth consecutive race she’s earned a top-five in qualifying, the longest current streak in Funny Car. She faces a tough opening round match-up in Tim Wilkerson.

Today’s NHRA qualifying can be seen Sunday on FS1 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m., with Camping World Drag Racing Series eliminations to be televised live on FS1 beginning at 2:00 p.m. (ET).

Toyota NHRA SpringNationals Qualifying

Top Fuel- Qualified/1st Round Opponent – Quick Time (Bonus Points)

Tony Schumacher – 2nd/Ferre – 3.685/330.07 (4)

Antron Brown – 4th/Palmer – 3.741/326.87 (1)

Doug Kalitta – 5th/Kinsley – 3.764/269.78

Shawn Langdon – 8th/Ashley – 3.812/269.67

Funny Car – Qualified/1st Round Opponent – Quick Time/MPH (Bonus Points)

J.R. Todd – 3rd/Haddock – 3.923/328.62 (2)

Alexis DeJoria – 5th/Wilkerson – 3.958/308.21 (1)

Todd Simpson – DNQ – 7.606/85.74