Travis Shumake Ready for Las Vegas Divisional Debut

LAS VEGAS – Travis Shumake, son of the late NHRA Funny Car driver Tripp Shumake, will make his NHRA Top Alcohol Dragster debut this weekend at Las Vegas behind the wheel of a Randy Meyer Racing Top Alcohol Dragster. Shumake will be racing in the NHRA Division 7 Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series event, April 8-10.

“My goal is still to be in a Funny Car but there is so much I can learn from Randy in the A/Fuel car while gaining much needed seat time and race-day experience” said Shumake. “I had an incident here in Vegas last fall in the Funny Car and mentors Chad Head and Justin Ashley pointed me in the direction of Randy.”

In tribute to both his father and late Top Alcohol Driver Mark Niver, Shumake will race using the competition number 777-s. “I grew up in Mark’s shop down the street from my childhood home in Phoenix. For most of their careers dad and Mark rocked the 777 in whatever category they were racing. I asked Tanis Niver for permission to use the retired number with the additional ‘s’ as a tribute and she was thrilled. It’s a privilege to honor both of their legacies and impact on me and drag racing in Arizona.”

Shumake feels confident that he is prepared for a successful debut in the highly competitive field of cars expected at this weekend’s event. “I’m lucky to have one of the best cars and teams in the country and with Randy’s coaching I feel prepared to not just qualify but hopefully go some rounds.”

“Being at the track with Julie (Nataas) and Hunter (Green) in testing, at Pomona, and here last weekend in Vegas has really helped me lock down my routine and learn the habits of both my team and my competitors. I’m ready. It’s go time baby,” added Shumake.

Shumake continues to meet with prospective sponsors to help secure seat time and pin down a championship caliber team. For additional information follow Travis on Twitter @ShumakeTravis or Instagram @TravisShu.