Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, who pilots the U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, moved into the third
starting position here Friday following the first day of qualifying for the Virginia Nationals at
Virginia Motorsports Park.
Schumacher recorded a 3.835-second pass at 313.66 mph in session two and as a result
fell in behind Cory McClenathan and Brandon Bernstein, respectively, in the order.
"That was a real good lap," said the defending Virginia Nationals champion. "We had a
little bit of an issue in the first round so to come back the way we did was perfect."
The Virginia Nationals marks the fourth race of the NHRA's six-race Countdown to 1. To
date, Schumacher has posted a win and a final round appearance which has pushed him into the Top
Fuel points lead.
"We've had success so far, but we need to keep up the attack right here in Virginia,"
he added. "We can't afford to let down at any point in time."
Schumacher arrived at VMP holding a 54-point edge on Larry Dixon and a 93-point
advantage on McClenathan. He would like to see that lead swell considerably come Sunday afternoon.
"You got that right," he said. "We want to keep piling it on as much as we can. Of
course, winning the race here would help matters in a great way."
Following the VMP stop, only two races remain in the 2009 season and the Countdown to 1
- at Las Vegas (October 29-November 1) and Pomona, Calif. (November 12-15).
"We can rest for a minute, that's for sure," said Schumacher.
