By Briar Starr, NHRA Staff Writer
In continuation of The Wally Questions and Answers Series, Kickin’ The Tires caught up with Tony Schumacher this past weekend at the 33rd Heartland Menards Topeka Nationals. Schumacher recently returned to the Top Fuel category after a brief hiatus and has high hopes of adding a ninth Top Fuel championship. Currently sitting 10th in points, Schumacher discusses what he feels his best run was in his career, memories of making his first start at Indianapolis in 1996, and why “the run” was so important to him and his career.
Kickin’ The Tires:
You’ve competed in 526 races (and counting) in your Top Fuel career since making your first start in 1996 at Indianapolis. Which do you feel was your best season so far and why?
Tony Schumacher:
“2008, that season was pure dominance,” Schumacher explained. “We won 15 races and the car was pure flawless. That season was a mixture of issues. Winning all these races, losing my crew chief Allen Johnson, my whole team, but we still maintained the win total toward the end of the season. It’s always hard to deny 2006 and the run, which was the best run in the history of the sport. So, I’m torn between two of them (2006 and 2008). It’s really hard to pinpoint what my best season was.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Ever since the Countdown was installed in 2007, you’ve made the Countdown every year up to 2018. Throughout 72 races, you have 12 playoff victories, 11 runner-up finishes, and 16 No. 1 qualifiers. Out of those 12 victories, which win is the most special win you’ve achieved?
Tony Schumacher:
“I think 2008, we not only won everything in the Countdown, but I would say Las Vegas 2008 because we won the shootout and locked up the championship,” he said. That day was the single highest payday of my career. We won everything we could that day.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
At one moment during a driver’s career, they usually experience an explosion in the car, dragster breaking apart, etc. In your career, what’s a scary moment that you’ve experienced that you hope to never experience again?
Tony Schumacher:
“I would say when my wing came off in 2000 and the car flew over the wall,” Schumacher stated. “That was the scariest in any way. The next run after that disaster when I healed enough to get back in the car, I could hear my heartbeat over the engine. I still had to hit the gas because racing is what I love doing. It’s at that moment you really become a driver when you get back in the car and do it any way possible.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Most drivers have their “Welcome to NHRA moment.” For you, when did you have that learning moment and how did you take that lesson moving forward?
Tony Schumacher:
“I had a couple of them (learning moments),” he admitted. “1996 was my first year in a Top Fuel car. I was welcomed to the NHRA by showing up at the Big Go for the U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis, losing to the world champ Blaine Johnson and still having to go out perform.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If you’re driving career was over tomorrow, but you had the option to stay in the sport whether it’s as a crew chief, specialist, marketing, etc., what would your other career choice be if you stuck around in motorsports, but not racing in Top Fuel?
Tony Schumacher:
“I always struggled with being an owner,” Schumacher said. “If I had to stay and do something in the sport, I think I would want to be a finish line cameraman because it’s about the only thing that would equal the fear. Sitting down there and watching those cars coming at you and knowing what I know about them.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
You climbed all the way to race in the finals to face Cory McClenathan. Unfortunately, you ended up shortly after the 300 feet and scored your first runner-up finish. Looking back, is there anything you think you could do differently to get the victory in your first start, or was it not meant to be?
Tony Schumacher:
“I had never made a full run in a Top Fuel car until I showed up there,” he said. “Qualifying 16th. Cory McClenathan had a phenomenal car with Joe Gibbs, they were dominating at that time. It was their’s to lose, not mine to win. When you look back, the only thing we had going for us was an insane amount of luck that day. That day turned out to be the start of 10 wins at Indy and I don’t how many finals. For whatever reason, I was put there and Indy became my track.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
Sometimes people get mistaken for other people and that happens in racing a lot. Have you ever been mistaken for someone while at the drag strip and if so, who?
Tony Schumacher:
“I get called Tony Stewart all the time,” Schumacher said. “I think it’s because he’s out here and we’re both Tony’s and it is what it is. If I could have half of his money and world championships, I’d be one hell of a lucky guy.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If time travel was available and you could travel back in time, what season would you like to go back and relive again?
Tony Schumacher:
“2006,” he said. “The earth had to stop and the moon had to move. Everything had to be right. We had to be awful at the beginning of the year, only to make the end of the year so darn important. Winning, in the end, was just a blessing, and through the adversity, and doing it anyways. When I’m 90 and I explain to my grandkids what I got to do, it’ll be that run I talk about.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
I am sure there are many achievements that you would like to cross off the list before you retire, however, is there a checklist or bucket list item that you want to complete before retirement?
Tony Schumacher:
“Definitely another championship,” Schumacher said. “I know it sounds weird with me having eight of them, but I would love to get my ninth. “To be out for a few years, come back and reassemble a team. Some of the people on my crew are 20 years old and they never held a Wally until last weekend. To be able to come back and do it again would be an absolute gift.”
Kickin’ The Tires:
If there was ever a movie made about your career, what would the title of your movie be called and who would play Tony Schumacher?
Tony Schumacher:
“Shoot, I’d like to play it myself because it’s been a hell of a ride and I would like to relieve it,” the eight-time champion said. “The title would be called, ‘The Next Big Moment.’ We were truly blessed with so many big moments because whenever a new track opened, we would win the race. My sense of humor would lend toward Owen Wilson.”
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