Sat, 26 Sep 2009, 12:16 AM Schumacher Holds Third Spot

Courtesy of Chris Dirat

ENNIS, Tex. -- Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, who handles the controls of the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, dropped into the third starting position here Friday after the first day of qualifying for the O'Reilly Super Start Batteries Fall Nationals at the Texas Motorplex.

The Chicago-area resident's 3.860-second run at 312.78 mph was good enough for a top three provisional spot with two qualifying sessions remaining on Saturday.

"After not getting down the track in the afternoon session, it was nice to have a clean run at night," said the defending world champion. "We'll get after it again tomorrow."

Schumacher entered the second round of the NHRA's six-race Countdown to 1 locked in a tie for second-place with Antron Brown, 10 points removed from Cory McClenathan at the top.

"Our goal is to leave here with the lead," he added. "When it's right there at your finger tips, you want to grab it. We're going for it here in Texas."

The six-time world champ feels the next couple of weeks will help shape the championship chase. Once the race is completed at the Texas Motorplex, the tour will then move through Memphis and Richmond, Va. on successive weekends.

"We've got to bring our 'A' game every weekend now," he added. "There's certainly no holding back now. Even one slight step backwards at this point can be costly."

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