JCM Racing Pre-Race Report: Chicago

TONY SCHUMACHER

Driver of the JCM Racing 'Don Schumacher' Tribute Top Fuel Dragster

Gerber Collision & Glass NHRA Route 66 Nationals

Presented by PEAK Performance

Event 6 of 20

Route 66 Raceway

Joliet, Ill.

May 17 – 19

Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Highlights:

• Four-time event winner (2003, 2008, 2013, 2015)

• 2010 runner-up

• Six-time No. 1 qualifier (2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012)

Route 66 Raceway Overall Highlights:

• Five-time event winner (2003, Fall 2005, 2008, 2013, 2015)

• Two-time runner-up (Fall 2004, 2010)

• Seven-time No. 1 qualifier (2003, 2005 – Spring and Fall, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2012

2023 Route 66 NHRA Nationals Event Recap:

Qualified 15th; First round exit (defeated by Austin Prock in E1)

Last Event (Charlotte 1):

Qualified 13th; First round exit (defeated by Clay Millican, Billy Torrence in E1)

2024 Statistics:

Five races; one runner-up finish; one specialty race win (Phoenix Mission Foods Challenge)

Career Statistics:

560 races; 86 wins, 88 No. 1 qualifiers

Noteworthy:

• A Chicago native turned Austin, Texas transplant, Schumacher considers Route 66 Raceway to be a home track

• Returning to the Schumacher family’s home facility for the first time since the passing of his father, Don Schumacher, who lost a hard-fought battle with cancer in December

• In honor of his late father, Schumacher will campaign a ‘Don Schumacher’ throwback tribute livery on his JCM Racing Top Fuel dragster during the race weekend

• Schumacher will unveil the special paint scheme during a Celebration of Life ceremony hosted by the Schumacher family on Friday, May 17 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The livery pays homage to the 1970 Plymouth Funny Car the elder Schumacher piloted when he won the NHRA U.S. Nationals that same year

• Winningest (five) Top Fuel driver in Chicago history

• Tied with Antron Brown (Top Fuel and Pro Stock Motorcycle) and Jeg Coughlin Jr. (Pro Stock) for winningest Mission Foods Series driver at the Joliet facility

• Leads the Top Fuel class in number of No. 1 qualifiers (seven) at Chicago

Fan Events:

• Friday, 11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Don Schumacher tribute autograph session in the Schumacher Family Tent

Quotable:

“It’s year two of us returning to Route 66 Raceway, and that’s just fantastic. I can’t even believe such a beautiful stadium ever went away in the first place. I’m driving a throwback of one of my dad’s old cars, and it’s going to be spectacular. I’m super proud to represent him and his legacy and drive this car this weekend. I know there’s going to be hundreds of people from Schumacher Electric coming out. They’ve been like family to me for 40 years and I’m really excited to see them.

“Our car is getting better and better, but it’s time for us to win one of these, and I couldn’t think of a better time than this weekend to get our first win of the season in front of a hometown crowd.”