Schumacher, Force & Johnson Win Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals
Written by Josh Katinger · February 27, 2005
CHANDLER, Ariz. - Defending NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher raced to victory Sunday at the Checker Schuck’s Kragen NHRA Nationals at Firebird International Raceway near Phoenix.
NHRA.com: Sunday Wrap-up
CNN/SI: Force claims 115th Funny Car win
John Force and Allen Johnson also were winners at the $1.8 million race, the second of 23 events in the $50 million NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.
Schumacher earned his 22nd career Top Fuel victory and third at FIR by posting a final round performance of 4.485 seconds at 329.50 mph in his U.S. Army dragster to defeat upstart Morgan Lucas, whose Lucas Oil dragster lost power past mid-track and recorded a 4.967 at 207.53.
Schumacher drove his consistently quick dragster to early round wins over Bruce Litton, Cory McClenathan and Brandon Bernstein before racing past Lucas in the final-round.
“It’s so cool to drive a car for the best Top Fuel team I’ve ever seen, from either the inside or across the pit with someone else,” said Schumacher, who regained the series points lead with the victory. “Alan (Johnson, crew chief) is at a level that’s better than anything he’s ever done before. The car is perfect.”
It was the third runner-up finish for Lucas, who has been to three finals in 10 career Top Fuel starts.
“I feel a little sorry for Morgan,” Schumacher said. “I know what that’s like. I went to nine finals before I won so I know you start thinking things like, ‘What do I need to do to win one of these things?’ He’ll get his. That’s a great car and he’s a good driver.”
Ladders
Final Rounds
Top Fuel — Tony Schumacher, 4.485 seconds, 329.50 mph def. Morgan Lucas, 4.967 seconds, 207.53 mph.
Funny Car — John Force, Ford Mustang, 4.802, 324.12 def. Ron Capps, Dodge Stratus, 4.856, 321.27.
Pro Stock — Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus, 6.801, 202.36 def. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cavalier, 6.887, 190.65.
Final finish order (1-16)
TOP FUEL:
1. Tony Schumacher
2. Morgan Lucas
3. Brandon Bernstein
4. David Grubnic
5. Doug Herbert
6. Andrew Cowin
7. Cory McClenathan
8. Scott Kalitta
9. Larry Dixon
10. Rit Pustari
11. David Baca
12. Scott Palmer
13. Scott Weis
14. John Smith
15. Doug Kalitta
16. Bruce Litton
FUNNY CAR:
1. John Force, Ford Mustang
2. Ron Capps, Dodge Stratus
3. Phil Burkart, Chevy Monte Carlo
4. Eric Medlen, Mustang
5. Gary Densham, Monte Carlo
6. Gary Scelzi, Stratus
7. Robert Hight, Mustang
8. Whit Bazemore, Stratus
9. Cruz Pedregon, Monte Carlo
10. Del Worsham, Monte Carlo
11. Bob Gilbertson, Monte Carlo
12. Tony Bartone, Monte Carlo
13. Tony Pedregon, Monte Carlo
14. Tommy Johnson Jr., Monte Carlo
15. Tim Wilkerson, Monte Carlo
16. Frank Pedregon, Stratus
PRO STOCK:
1. Allen Johnson, Dodge Stratus
2. Ron Krisher, Chevy Cavalier
3. Jim Yates, Pontiac Grand Am
4. Jeg Coughlin, Stratus
5. Richie Stevens, Stratus
6. Greg Stanfield, Cavalier
7. Jason Line, Grand Am
8. Warren Johnson, Grand Am
9. V. Gaines, Stratus
10. Ben Watson, Cavalier
11. Greg Anderson, Grand Am
12. Mike Edwards, Grand Am
13. Kurt Johnson, Cavalier
14. Dave Connolly, Cavalier
15. Larry Morgan, Stratus
16. Erica Enders, Cavalier
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