U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher moved into the fourth starting position here
Saturday following the second day of qualifying for the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at O'Reilly
Raceway Park.
After struggling through the opening two rounds of qualifying, Schumacher put down an
impressive 3.855-second pass at 313.51 mph in round three and thus advanced from out of the show
into the top four.
"That was more like it," said the seven-time U.S. Nationals champion. "I knew we had a
very capable race car, but it just took a little bit before it came to life."
Schumacher will have two more qualifying runs on Sunday before competing in the NHRA's
most prestigious race on Labor Day.
"It's nice we're comfortably in the field so we can go out tomorrow and work on a race
day set up," he added. "I can tell you that Monday can't come quick enough for me and the Army
team."
This weekend, Schumacher is attempting to tie Don Garlits for the most career Top Fuel
U.S. Nationals wins - eight. Additionally, he's looking to gain momentum for the upcoming Countdown
to 1 which starts in two weeks.
"That's exactly what we want to do," he said. "We want to win another U.S. Nationals
trophy and then go to Charlotte in a couple of weeks with a positive mindset."
Schumacher arrived in Indy holding third-place in the standings, 54 points removed from
Larry Dixon in second.
"If we can get around him this weekend, that would be terrific," he offered.
"Regardless, I'm confident it's going to be a heated championship battle right to the end."
