Schumacher wins Top Fuel
Sunday, Mar. 14, 2010
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Six-time defending series champion Tony Schumacher has won the NHRA Top Fuel class at the Gatornationals.
Schumacher beat teammate Antron Brown in the final Sunday. It was Brown's first event since his deadly crash at Phoenix three weeks ago, when a tire spun off his dragster, bounced into the grandstands and killed a Wisconsin woman.
The Top Fuel victory was the 62nd of Schumacher's career. It also was his fourth win at the Gatornationals, which tied him for the all-time record with Larry Dixon and Joe Amato.
“It was a perfect win for this team,” said Schumacher, who posted the national speed record at 324.98 mph in the semifinals.
“This is something we needed to do. Now we’re in the points lead and that’s important as we go to Charlotte for the four-wide race.”
Tim Wilkerson, who hadn't won a single heat this season, beat defending race winner Bob Tasca III in the Funny Car final.
It was Wilkerson's 14th career victory.
“When you run well and you run consistent, people will show you enough respect to try pretty hard against you,” Wilkerson said.
“We did have a good day today. I’m not going to say we were world-beaters, but we made some pretty darn good runs to keep them on their toes.”
Jason Line won the Pro Stock class, and Eddie Krawiec claimed the Pro Stock Motorcycle title.
“It really wasn’t a good weekend, actually,” Line said. “We started out awful, and I didn’t think we were going to qualify.
"Going into the third session, I really felt like this was going to be the time we didn’t qualify. But we got it done somehow."
Said Krawiec: “Gainesville is very special to me.
The 2008 champion beat Angie Smith, Steve Johnson and Craig Treble in the first three rounds.
ThatsRacin.com editor Bob Henry contributed.
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