U.S. Army NHRA Racing Toyota NHRA Summernationals Friday Qualifying Report

U.S. Army teammates Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher and Antron Brown opened the 46th annual Toyota NHRA Summernationals on a mission Friday at Old Bridge Township Raceway Park in Englishtown, New Jersey. Brown posted the best pass of the day in Friday’s second session to grab the provisional pole, while Schumacher ranks third.

Schumacher, driver of the U.S. Army Dragster for Don Schumacher Racing (DSR), continued his qualifying prowess posting runs of 3.783 seconds at 321.58 mph and 3.736 seconds at 323.66 mph. The eight-time Top Fuel world champion was more than pleased with the day’s outcome, because it was accomplished with his Army team digging deep and each member taking on additional responsibility. Crew chief Mike Green left Englishtown early Friday evening in order to watch his daughter graduate from high school in Indiana on Saturday.

“It was a great day for the U.S. Army team for several reasons,” said Schumacher. “My crew chief had to go home for his daughter’s graduation. I think it puts life into perspective. It’s much more important for him to be with his family for a once in a lifetime event. Being there was a must as far as I’m concerned. He made a great call to do that. He has a talented assistant in Neal Strausbaugh, who just made a really strong run calling the shots for the first time. This Army team is made up a great group of guys that all work together and deliver no matter what the circumstance. Everyone did a great job. We are within a hundredth (of a second) of going number one and in a great position for the rest of the weekend.”

The homecoming for Brown is off to a terrific start for the Chesterfield, New Jersey native. Brown was fast out of the gate aboard the Matco Tools/U.S. Army Dragster for DSR with an initial lap of 3.782 seconds at 319.52 mph. The 2012 Top Fuel world champion closed the session with a pass of 3.725 seconds at 317.57 mph, his fastest pass of the 2015 season and the run established a new track record.

“It’s just a true blessing from the man above for pulling a number like that for all of our Matco distributors and U.S. Army soldiers,” said Brown, who is seeking his 40th career No. 1 qualifier and 50th career NHRA victory. “I heard (co-crew chiefs) Brian (Corradi) and Mark (Oswald) talking on the (two-way) radio and Brian goes you sure you want to runs this so hard? Oswald said I think we need all of it. This track is so good, and we were going for it. Tomorrow, we’ll just keep working to put ourselves in the best position come Sunday.”

Top Fuel qualifying continues Saturday with third- and fourth-round sessions set for 2 and 4:30 p.m. EST. ESPN2’s delayed qualifying broadcast is set for 11 p.m. Saturday. Elimination rounds begin at 11 a.m. Sunday with ESPN2’s three hours of delayed coverage set for 11 p.m.