Search for in
NHRA LODRS IHRA PR-DRAG Drag News Photos
Fri, 12 Dec 2008, 11:20 AM

NHRA Top Fuel Titlest Tony Schumacher Named 2008 Economaki Champion of Champions
Courtesy of Pete Evanow
Photo copyright 2008 Roger Richards

Drag Champ becomes the First Multiple Winner of the Award, presented by Speedway Motorsports, Inc.



ORLANDO --

Matt Long presents
Schumacher the trophy.
Continuing his dominance on and off the drag strip, Six-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion Tony Schumacher became the first finalist to win a second Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Speedway Motorsports trophy, when he appeared in Orlando to receive his award from the trophy's namesake, Chris Economaki. Schumacher received his award at the 21st Annual PRI Trade Show, making a special trip to the show to accept his award from Economaki.

"This young man, who celebrates his birthday on Christmas day, gets another early present," Economaki stated, "and that is the recognition not only from his fans, but also from his peers and the motorsports industry at large. We are delighted to recognize Tony's tremendous accomplishments on the track - five consecutive NHRA POWERade Top Fuel championships - six overall - and off it, by awarding him his second Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Speedway Motorsports, Inc."

"I'm delighted to receive this prestigious award, especially when it's given by the man we all admire, who, like my sponsor, the U.S. Army, has been such an inspiration to so many others," declared Schumacher, receiving his award from Economaki and Speedway Motorsports' Matt Long. "We all recognize our soldiers as our American heroes, and I have to add that Chris has always been a hero to me, and an inspiration to motorsports."


Long, Economaki and Schumacher
Schumacher had a tremendous year as he successfully defended his NHRA Top Fuel title. Over the long season, he scored 15 victories, and on September 14th, Tony surpassed Joe Amato as the winningest driver in NHRA Top Fuel history with an astonishing 56 career wins by season's end (Amato has 53).

"It's been such a great year," Schumacher noted from the MOPAR Stage at the PRI Trade Show. "I've said it a lot, but I've got a lot of people to thank, and I'm extremely grateful to the staff at National Speed Sport News, to Chris and Corinne Economaki, and to the folks at Speedway Motorsports, who have singled me out yet again with this award."

In addition to honoring the individual who has made a valued contribution to racing, the Economaki Champion of Champions Award celebrates the passionate spirit of the award's namesake, Chris Economaki, and the enthusiasm he has instilled in the world of racing through his legendary broadcasting and publishing career.

"I think it's very fair to say that Tony truly deserves this award as he has been one of the most exciting drivers to watch in all of motorsports," noted Economaki, in announcing the win. "The level of consistency in his racing, when you consider how many championships he has earned in a very competitive class, is just amazing. Journalists, fellow racers, and virtually all of us in this industry have a tremendous amount of respect for what Tony has accomplished, and we felt it was important to recognize that once again."


Economaki and Schumacher
In earning his second Economaki Champion of Champions winners, Schumacher joins an exceptional company of drivers, including last year's recipient, Donny Schatz, three-time World of Outlaws champion; NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson; World of Outlaw's Steve Kinser and J.J. Yeley (who represented USAC at the time of his award).

"We're very happy to recognize Tony again for his outstanding and consistent performances this season and in years past. It was a hard choice considering that several other finalists have had such remarkable years in racing," said Corinne Economaki, publisher of National Speed Sport News. "Among the 10 wonderful contenders we considered for the Economaki Champion of Champions this year, we did feel that 'the Sarge,' as he is affectionately known, was ultimately the perfect choice for the Economaki Champion of Champions presented by Speedway Motorsports."

"On behalf of Speedway Motorsports and race fans everywhere, we congratulate Tony and salute his fantastic season," added SMI's Matt Long.

Speedway Motorsports is a leading marketer and promoter of motorsports entertainment in the United States. SMI owns and operates the following premier facilities: Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway, Infineon Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Lowe's Motor Speedway, New Hampshire Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway. The company provides souvenir merchandising services through its SMI Properties subsidiaries; manufactures and distributes smaller-scale, modified racing cars and parts through its 600 Racing subsidiary; and produces and broadcasts syndicated motorsports programming to radio stations nationwide through its Performance Racing Network subsidiary. SMI also equally owns Motorsports Authentics, a joint venture formed with International Speedway Corp. to produce, market and sell licensed motorsports merchandise. For more information, visit speedwaymotorsports.com.

Celebrating its 75th Anniversary in 2009, National Speed Sport News is the authoritative voice of motorsports, providing race coverage that is timely, accurate and colorful. Edited since 1950 by the legendary Chris Economaki, and written by some of racing's most talented reporters and columnists, National Speed Sport News covers every series, every track, every week. Since 1934, the newspaper has been the must-read for serious fans, drivers, crew members and industry leaders alike. National Speed Sport News is the only motorsports periodical on Library of Congress microfilm.

For more information or to subscribe, contact National Speed Sport News, P.O. Box 1210, Harrisburg, NC, 28075, or call 704.455.2531; toll-free at 866.455.2531; fax: 704.455.2605, or visit the website at: http://www.nationalspeedsportnews.com.





NHRA: 10 Most Recent Entries [ top ]

Feb 10- Wally Parks 75th Anniversary Appreciation Fund Part of $27 Million Overall Purse
Feb 08- NHRA Summit Racing Jr. Drag Racing League Releases 2026 Schedule
Feb 07- Huge List of Legends Set to Appear at Amalie Motor Oil NHRA Gatornationals
Feb 05- NHRA and Legends Global Extend Merchandise Partnership Ahead of 75th Anniversary Season
Feb 04- Doug Foley Announces Addition of Ron Douglas as Consultant to Foley Lewis Racing Top Fuel Team
Feb 04- Tickets Now on Sale for NHRA's Debut at U.S. 131 Motorsports Park and Rockingham Dragway
Feb 04- Reed, Zetterström to Share Driving Duties of Reed Trucking & Excavating Top Fuel Dragster
Jan 29- NHRA to Honor Iconic John Force in 2027 with "50 Years Of Force"
Jan 28- Top Fuel All-Star Callout Returns to Open NHRA's 75th Anniversary Season at Gatornationals
Jan 28- John Force Racing Announces Crew Chiefs for NHRA's 75th Anniversary Season

Copyright ©2026 AUTOSALES INC, dba Summit Racing Equipment
Ready to take your order at 1-800-230-3030 | Customer Service 1-800-517-1035