NHRA Brainerd Nationals Event 15 of 22 Brainerd International Raceway Brainerd, Minn. Aug. 19-21, 2022
TONY SCHUMACHER Driver of the Okuma Top Fuel Dragster
Brainerd Event Highlights:
Three-time event champion (2000, 2004, 2008)
Three-time runner-up (2003, 2006, 2011)
Six-time No. 1 qualifier (2000, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012)
2018 Brainerd Recap: Qualified seventh; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Terry McMillen in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2) Note: Did Not Compete in 2019, 2021; 2020 canceled due to COVID-19 Last Event (Topeka): Qualified 12th; Quarterfinal finish (defeated Doug Kalitta in E1; defeated by Steve Torrence in E2) Career Statistics: 526 races; 86 event wins; 88 No. 1 qualifiers 2022 Statistics: 14 races; one win Noteworthy:
Schumacher recently piloted the DSR Performance-powered Okuma dragster to victory in Seattle, followed by a quarterfinal finish in Topeka last weekend
The eight-time world champ launched three spots in the point standings, moving from 12th to ninth since the start of the Seattle event, and is looking to maintain his Top 10 ranking this weekend
The winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history returns to Brainerd for the first time since 2018
Schumacher leads the Top Fuel class in No. 1 qualifiers (six) at BIR
Fan Events: Thursday, August 18, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.; Schumacher will be visiting Menard’s in Baxter (15236 Dellwood Dr.) on behalf of SweetLeaf Stevia *The appearance is free and open to the public. Autograph cards will be provided. Quotable: "Brainerd has been an awfully kind track to me over the years. The fans there are second-to-none, it always draws a great crowd. But man, I’ve really done some damage there before. Gone out, qualified No. 1 several times, and won that race. This is one of those races that really, really matters because Indy is next and that’s points-and-a-half, so you need to be in the best position possible heading into Indy because let me tell you, every point matters when you get into the playoffs. Getting moved up a few spots to start the Countdown does matter. I’ve won championships and I’ve lost championships by less than one round, so don’t kid yourself into thinking that where you start the Countdown doesn’t matter.”
