Army Conquers The Big Go, Again

Tony Schumacher drove his 'The Sarge' Top Fuel dragster to victory in the NHRA's US Nationals yesterday.  The event, held in Indianapolis, is drag racing's equivalent to the Indy 500, or the Daytona 500.

Schumacher's victory is the ninth time he has won this event, a record.  Previously, he was tied with Big Daddy Don Garlits with 8 wins at Indy.

The win propels Tony into the NHRA's countdown, a series of races to end the season which will determine the Top Fuel champion for 2012. 

Photo credit NHRA/AP.

US Army Bails Out On NASCAR

Stewart-Haas Racing has announced that the US Army, a primary sponsor of the #39 car driven by Ryan Newman, will not renew its sponsorship after the 2012 season.  The reason the Army is citing is a reallocation of marketing dollars.

Bullshit.

The exposure the Army gets from its NASCAR sponsorship is greater, per dollar, than any of its other marketing ventures.  The goodwill shown by NASCAR and its fans towards the Army, indeed all of the Armed Forces, is tremendous.  There is no other sport in the United States that holds our servicemen and women in such high esteem.

What this is is an appeasement of the Obama Administration and Democrats in general by bigwigs in the Pentagon.  Those on the left hate the NASCAR fan demographic.  They hate the motorsport fan demographic in general, because those fans are for the most part conservative.  Democrat led legislation currently being considered by Congress would prohibit any service from sponsoring any motorsport, period.  It wouldn't surprise me at all to see this money reallocated to inner city basketball leagues, or SEIU run LGBT softball organizations (there are such things!).

There has been no announcement yet as to how this might affect the Army's sponsorship of Tony Schumacher's Top Fuel dragster in NHRA, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if that is pulled as well.

Democrat douchebags ...

Update 7/15 - Although I have not seen an official announcement, several reports this past week indicate that the US Army will continue its sponsorship of Schumacher's NHRA dragster, although they are pulling out of NASCAR completely.  Reports also surfaced that the National Guard is in negotiations with Hendrick Motorsports to extend its sponsorship of Dale Jr. in NASCAR. 

US Army Team Wins In NASCAR

Ryan Newman sat on the pole for this past Sunday's NASCAR race at Louden, NH. He went on to win the race. The is the first race win for the team with US Army sponsorship, since the Army joined Stewart-Haas racing (the #39 did win another race last year, but it was carrying a different sponsor's scheme that night).

Not only did Newman start first and finish first, his team owner/teammate Tony Stewart started second and finished second in the #14 car. Quite a unique feat.

Congratulations, Rocket Man!

The Sarge Rolls Big In Vegas

Tony Schumacher drove 'The Sarge' to victory in Sunday's NHRA event in Las Vegas. His victory pulls him to within 85 points of Larry Dixon, driver of the arch rival Al Anabi dragster. One event remains, the season ending meet at Pomona, CA in two weeks.

Tony set a National Top Fuel speed record during the meet, going over 325mph. Imagine that - zero to 325 miles per hour in about 3 and a half seconds, in 1000 feet of distance. That just simply is beyond comprehension, and almost beyond the laws of physics!

Each round of racing is equal to 20 points. Points are also awarded for qualifying position, and for national speed or ET records. 85 points sounds like a tall order, and it is. However, he has overcome taller climbs in the past to gain the championship. Don't count him, or the Army dragster, out yet!

The Sarge Takes Big D

The Sarge, Top Fuel dragster driven by Tony Schumacher, won the NHRA event in Dallas this past weekend. The win pulled Schumacher closer to the evil enemy Al-Anabi dragster in the championship chase, which has 3 more races to go. The road to an eighth Championship for Tony is a tough one, but at least now he is within realistic striking distance.

Outlaw13 and I attended one of the qualifying sessions, and spent a lot of time in the US Army hospitality tent. It was impressive to see the effort the Army and Schumacher's team went to to make their visitors and Army personnel attending the race welcome. Tony himself spent time speaking with new recruits and others - a talk he has to make hundreds of times during the season. He did it with enthusiasm, and took the time to say hello or sign an autograph for anyone who wanted one.

For those of you who have never been to an NHRA event, you ought to go just to experience it. There may not be any other sport where fans can get so close to the action, so close to the bigwigs of the sport. I mean, here we were visiting in the US Army hospitality tent, which was adjacent to Tony's pit area - the dragster was being serviced not 10 feet from the fans. On the other side, Schumacher's teammate Cory Mac's dragster was being serviced in his pit. Across the alley, John Force, Ashley Force, and Robert Hight's Funny Cars were right there, not 25 feet from us. Way cool. You also owe it to yourself to sit in the stands and watch/hear/feel these 8000hp monsters launch down the track. A typical Top Fuel car will go from 0 to 100mph in .8 of a second - yes, 8/10ths of a second! 320mph in 1000ft. Incredible!

The Sarge Thunders On

Tony Schumacher, driving the US Army sponsored NHRA Top Fuel dragster, won the Thundervalley Nationals event yesterday at Bristol, TN. The win solidified his second place standing in the points battle, and clinched him a spot in NHRA's championship countdown.

The win was the 101st NHRA National event title for the US Army. It was the 100th event title for Don Schumacher Racing, Tony's father and race team owner.

John Force, the 62 year old crazy man and most dominate professional driver in NHRA history, won his 130th National Event at Bristol as well. No one will ever come close to that record! He regained first place in the Funny Car points chase from his son-in-law and teammate Robert Hight.

Army Grabs The Pole!

Ryan Newman, driving the #39 US Army sponsored car owned by Tony Stewart, grabbed the pole during tonight's qualifying for this coming Sunday's Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race in Charlotte.

Army Strong!

US Army Drag Racing - 100 Event Wins

Tony Schumacher, driving 'The Sarge' (US Army sponsored Top Fuel dragster), won the NHRA event in Topeka on Sunday. It was Tony's second win of the season.

US Army sponsored drag racers have now won 100 events over the years:

Tony Schumacher, Top Fuel, 60 Event wins

Don Prudhomme, Funny Car, 24 Event wins

Angele Sampey, Pro Stock Motorcycle, 10 Event wins

Antron Brown, Pro Stock Motorcycle, 6 Event wins

It is worth noting that Tony, Angele, and Antron all drove for Don Schumacher Racing (Tony's father). The Army dropped sponsorships of the bikes a couple of years ago, Tony's dragster is the only currently running Army car.

Army Strong!

The Sarge - Champ Again!

How 'bout a little good news ....

Tony Schumacher won the NHRA Top Fuel Championship yesterday at the season ending event in Pomona. Tony, driving the US Army sponsored 'The Sarge' dragster, won the season long championship by 2 points - yes, just 2 points.

The closest championship in Top Fuel history was won over the Al-Anabi Racing entry driven by Larry Dixon. Those of you who follow the NHRA will recognize the Al-Anabi car as the one Schumacher's crew chief and whole team defected to after last season. To say the victory was sweet for Schumacher is an understatement - though there does not seem to be any bad blood, at least publicly.

Schumacher and Dixon seemed destined to meet in the final round for the championship, but it was not to be - both lost in the semi-finals, giving the title to The Sarge. The title was Schumacher's seventh, sixth in a row, both records for the NHRA.

Tony teared up in his winning interview, and stated that the gold trophy would be presented to Ft. Hood as a tribute to those who fell there.


In related news, the US Army announced last week that it is renewing sponsorship for both Schumacher's dragster and the #39 NASCAR Chevy driven by Ryan Newman for next year. A wise choice, these two teams represent the US Army very well.

Army Strong!

The Sarge Keeps Rolling

Tony Schumacher drove the US Army sponsored Top Fuel dragster to victory at the Texas Motorplex (near Ennis) this past Sunday. In the final round, he beat nemesis Larry Dixon and the Al Anabi sponsored dragster (the car Tony's crew chief and old team defected to after last season).

The victory vaulted Schumacher into first place in the points standings, with 4 races to go in the season. Things are looking good fo rhe US Army to claim another NHRA championship.

10/06 Update - Yesterday's rain delayed NHRA Mid-South nationals, at Memphis, saw The Sarge reach the final round. He lost, but going that far into eliminations extended his point lead considerably. Looking good for that championship!

Tony Stewart's Prelude to the Dream

NASCAR Driver Tony Stewart is quite the philanthropist. Most folks know him as one of NASCAR's bad boys, a talented driver with a hot head, but he has a very soft side that many folks don't know about. Through his foundation, he has raised over 4 million dollars for charities.

Tony owns a dirt racing track, the Eldora Speedway. He has hosted an annual race for charity at this track, called 'Prelude to the Dream'. This event brings big stars from NASCAR and other types of motorsports, puts them in late model dirt race cars, and they get out there, have fun, beat the heck out of each other, and raise a lot of money for charity. The previous four races have raised over 2 million for charity.

This year's race is this coming Wednesday evening, Sep.9, and is on pay per view provided by HBO. Proceeds from the pay per view fees become part of the charity pot.

This year, Tony has chosen four charities benefiting military members and their families:

Wounded Warrior Project

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund

Operation Homefront

Fisher House

Very cool, and it will be much appreciated by the folks helped by those charities!

The Sarge Wins the Big Go

The US Army sponsored Top Fuel dragster, driven by Tony Schumacher, won the NHRA's US Nationals today at Indianapolis. This is the NHRA's biggest race of the season, their equivalent to the Indy 500, or the Daytona 500.

Schumacher, piloting "The Sarge", beat his former crew chief's Al Anabi Racing dragster, driven by Larry Dixon, in the final.

The victory gave Schumacher 8 Top Fuel wins in the US Nationals race, tying him with the legendary 'Big Daddy' Don Garlits with that number. An incredible accomplishment, unlikely to be bettered.

Army Strong!

US Army on the Pole

Ryan Newman, driver of the #39 US Army sponsored Chevy in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series, won the pole for Sunday's Coca Cola 600 race.

Ryan, nicknamed the Rocket Man for his numerous pole wins over his years in NASCAR, averaged 188.48mph around the mile and a half track at Charlotte NC in Thursday evening's qualifying session.

The Coke 600 is NASCAR's longest race - 400 laps, equalling 600 miles. Think of that - 4 to 5 hours of driving around in circles at better than 185mph.

Ryan, in support of his sponsor, the US Army, will host Sgt. Joseph Goodloe, a Green Beret whose seven tours in Iraq and Afghanistan resulted in four bronze stars, and a bronze star with V device (for Valor). Sgt. Goodloe is currently an instructor at Ft. Bragg, and a resident of Charlotte.

Folks, if you have never been to a NASCAR race, you need to go at least once. If you can't stand to be there for the entire race, I suggest going for qualifying day. In any case, you simply cannot believe how fast these big machines really go, and you won't believe something going that fast can actually turn around a corner. TV does not do it justice ....

Army Strong.

Ryan finished second in yesterday's rain shortened, rain delayed Coke 300 and something. Overcoming an early pit road penalty, Ryan and his crew chief pulled some strategy out of their hats as the yellow flag came out for the third time, indicating rain. After a lengthy red flag for the rain and drying efforts, NASCAR finally called the race. The finish vaulted Ryan into 7th place in the points race, quite a change fromt eh dismal start of their season.

The Sarge Rolls Again

Tony Schumacher and the US Army Top Fuel team won their third national event of the year yesterday. His win at the Thunder Valley track in Bristol TN vaulted him into the Top Fuel points lead.

Army Strong!

US Army NHRA Race Team Kicks Ass

The US Army sponsors a NHRA Top fuel dragster team. Driven by Tony Schumacher, it is owned by Don Schumacher Racing (his father). Tony and his team have been the dominant force in NHRA racing for several years now, setting innumerable records and winning championships. He is the defending NHRA champ from 2008.


A large part of the team's success was with Alan Johnson, the crew chief, and the crew members. They made up what was perhaps the strongest drag race team in history. They were so dominant and hated by their peers that they were referred to as DSR (Dark Side Racing), rather than Don Schumacher Racing.


At the end of the 2008 season, a new owner came to NHRA. Sheikh Khalid Bin Hamad Al Thani, a member of the ruling family of Qatar, came storming into the sport, establishing Top Fuel and Funny Car teams with unlimited financial resources. The sheikh made Alan Johnson an offer he could not refuse to run his two teams. Johnson took all of his Army team with him - no telling how much cash it took.


So, we have Tony, the defending champ, with a car and no team. Picking up the pieces, DSR hired a new crew chief and crew, and in less than two months, were back at the races for the 2009 season.


All the pundits in the racing world had predicted that Schumacher would fall on his face, since Johnson had been seen as the reason for the success of the team. Well ... not quite ....


Tony and the US Army dragster won the NHRA event in Las Vegas today. Coupled with their win two weeks ago in Houston, he has now won 2 of the first 5 events. Will Tony be as dominant this year as in the past - I don't know. But it is good to know that American pride, driven by US Army principals and sponsorship, are whupping up on the best that foreign dollars can buy.