Schumacher, who was the number three qualifier, posted a 3.944-second pass at 312.86 mph in the final round against Larry Dixon and as a result took over the Top Fuel points lead.

"What a great day for the U.S. Army team," said the defending world champion. "Mike Green (his crew chief) and the guys were exceptional today. As usual, they performed brilliantly."

This is the first time since the Topeka race in May that Schumacher has been on top of the standings.

"The guys want to win the world title in the worst way," he said. "They're really digging down deep when it counts the most."

En route to his match up with Dixon, Schumacher cut down T.J. Zizzo, Antron Brown and Spencer Massey in the opening three rounds. It was the first time in four tries that Schumacher got the best of Massey.

"They're all huge right now," said the Chicago-area resident. "We only have four races left so you better be on your game each and every run or else you're going to be eliminated from contention."

With the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season winding down, Schumacher is looking for his sixth consecutive world title.

"We want to win another one for our Army Strong Soldiers," he added. "They work so hard every day so it's on us to give them something nice in return."

With the Dallas-area stop finished, the NHRA tour will now point towards Memphis (O'Reilly Mid-South Nationals) and Richmond, Va. (Virginia Nationals), respectively, the next two weekends. Schumacher won at both tracks last year.

"We need to stay focused and everything will be just fine,' he said. "I have a great team and complete confidence we can complete our championship mission."

Courtesy of Chris Dirato