MOHNTON, Pa. - Tony Schumacher set a national elapsed-time record en route to his fourth NHRA Top Fuel victory of the season Sunday at the rain-delayed Lucas Oil Nationals at Maple Grove Raceway.
Schumacher set the record in his U.S. Army dragster at 4.441 seconds during his qualifying win, topping Kenny Bernstein's 4.477 set June 2, 2001, in Chicago. Schumacher then covered the quarter-mile in 4.584 at 315.56 mph for his 11th career victory.
"I can't believe we won, especially the way the car was shaking in the final round," said Schumacher, the 1999 Top Fuel champion. "This was a crazy event, with the weather and a lot of the top guys going out in the early rounds. But we have the team that I have faith in, and their skills are obvious with the victory and the national record."
Tim Wilkerson went 317.49 mph in 4.869 in his Pontiac Firebird to earn his third career Funny Car victory and second of the season. Veteran Pro Stock racer Warren Johnson notched his 92nd career victory in his Pontiac Grand Am when Troy Coughlin left the starting line early and fouled out.
Michael Phillips scored his first Pro Stock Bike win in eight years and second of his career when he rode his Suzuki to the finish in 7.133 at 189.07.
EAST BAY RACEWAY: Larry Brazil Jr. was the fastest qualifier in the Mr. Bud Championships in a record 16.423 seconds. But Danny Martin Jr. won the race for his first major victory. Brazil was fifth. Other winners: Bruce Harvey in street stocks, Bobby Dixon in open-wheel modifieds, Timmy Bronson in limited late models and Scott Howard in mini-stocks.
