U.S. Army Top Fuel pilot Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher secured the third starting position here
Friday following the initial day of qualifying for the O'Reilly Summer Nationals at Heartland Park
Topeka.
The defending world champion laid down a 3.866-second pass at 304.74 mph during the evening session
and as a result fell in behind Antron Brown and Larry Dixon, respectively, in the order.
"We had a couple of good runs today," said the Chicago-area resident. "What I especially liked was
the fact we were the quickest during the day when it was hot. That's what we'll see on race day."
Schumacher, who is coming off a victory in Bristol, Tenn. two weeks ago, recorded a 3.921-second
jaunt at 304.12 mph while air temperatures were hovering around 90 degrees.
"We'll have to have our best hot weather tune up this weekend to win," added Schumacher. "Mike
(Green) and the guys will have the car ready to rock. I'm loving life right now."
Sitting atop the Top Fuel standings after eight races, Schumacher is attempting to nail his first
career victory at Heartland Park Topeka.
"We're way overdue," he said. "It's definitely time to cross this place off the list. We couldn't
get it done at Atlanta Dragway earlier this season (the other track he's never won at), but the
opportunity is here in Topeka."
Top Fuel qualifying sessions on Saturday are scheduled for 12 noon and 2:30 p.m. CDT.
