Tue, 24 Oct 2000, 03:34 PM Schumacher to Run at Houston

By Mickey Schultz What a Difference a Week Makes!!!

In what many may call a miraculous recovery, Top Fuel driver Tony Schumacher has been cleared by doctors to compete at the Matco Tools SuperNationals at Houston Raceway Park this weekend.

Don and Tony Schumacher

Just two weeks ago yesterday, Schumacher underwent surgery to repair a severely broken left leg incurred in a high-speed crash during qualifying at the NHRA AutoZone Nationals presented by Pennzoil at Memphis Motorsports Park on Saturday, October 7. Yesterday, his orthopedic doctor removed the cast from his leg. He then underwent a through neurological examination, after which Schumacher was given a clean bill of health to resume his chase of the 2000 Winston Top Fuel championship.

Original plans called for the Park Ridge, Ill., driver to miss at least the events in Dallas and Houston. Missing even one race would have dealt a crippling blow to Schumacher's opportunity to vie for the Winston championship. But while the rains and subsequent postponement dampened the sprits of both the competitors and fans in Dallas, the postponement was the most fortuitous thing that could happen for Schumacher.

"We're 126 points behind (Gary) Scelzi. That's within reach. We obviously came out to win a championship and if my body permits me to go out and go after a championship, then that's what I'm going to do," said Schumacher, the reigning Winston Top Fuel champ.

"More than anything, I'm getting in the cockpit of the U.S. Army dragster this early because, 'A' we got rained out in Dallas, which gave us the races; and 'B', I need, for myself, to get back in a car," he added. "Just got to get back on the horse and ride again. I don't think our team deserves to be number three. Therefore, I'm not going to sit back and watch everything go on by us."

Schumacher is currently in second, 126 points behind Scelzi, and 97 points in front of Larry Dixon, who sits in third. With the Dallas rainout, there are three races remaining for Schumacher to close the gap. Is that enough time?

"Realistically, we're far behind but the points aren't closed yet. I wouldn't show up if I didn't think we had a chance. But 126 points is a lot to make up. It's as far behind Scelzi as I am ahead of Dixon. So, the same time I'm trying to stay ahead of Dixon, I'm trying to catch Scelzi. It's going to be tough. They're (Alan Johnson Racing) not a team that anyone in the world expects to go out and fail. If we want it, we're going to have to win it," reflected Schumacher on the point battle.

In closing Schumacher has this to add with a laugh," If he (Gary Scelzi) doesn't show up at the next three (races), I've got him covered. If he feels bad for me, he can stay home or come by and I'll even make the two of us lunch."

With three races left, we still have a race for the championship and Tony Schumacher is now a part of that race once again.