There is no cure for drag racing. That’s what eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion Tony Schumacher, 51, discovered after stepping out of his dragster at the final 2018 race in Pomona, following the departure of long-time sponsor the U.S. Army. Schumacher was so identifiable with his former sponsor that he acquired the nickname “The Sarge.”
His 19 years of competitive racing went on hiatus, as Schumacher waited for another full-time, multi-year contract in hand before making his return. During the protracted 2020 NHRA season, one severely impacted by COVID-19’s pandemic and the inability to welcome all NHRA fans one-site for all of the contests, Don Schumacher Racing still needed to fulfill sponsor obligations so it enlisted Tony’s talents to close out the season in a third dragster, joining full-time drivers Antron Brown and Leah Pruett.
The Austin, TX-based racer didn’t need too long to find his way back to the winner’s circle, hoisting his 85th Wally winner’s trophy at Houston Raceway Park in Baytown – only his seventh race since leaving the sport in 2018 and the series’ penultimate 2020 contest.
The victory, of course, whetted his appetite so that when Joe and Cathi Maynard, race fans who became a major associate partner this year, decided they’d be closer to the action by supporting Tony Schumacher’s full-time entry in 2022, the Maynard Family dragster became a reality. Additional partners will be announced as the 2022 season draws closer.
Schumacher’s dragster will be helmed by Todd Okuhara, currently lead tuner for Leah Pruett’s 11,000-horsepower dragster. Okuhara has been a member of the DSR family since 2005 and is perfectly suited to be crew chief for Schumacher, as he attempts to take a ninth NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series Top Fuel championship.
“We’re thrilled to have Tony return to full-time competition next year aboard The Maynard Family Top Fuel dragster,” said team owner Don Schumacher. Don Schumacher Racing earned its 366th victory last weekend at the 36th Texas NHRA Fall Nationals at Texas Motorplex, when Ron Capps notched a hole-shot victory in Funny car.
“Tony and Todd Okuhara are two of the most dominant players in our sport, and I liken this alliance to two powerhouses teaming up. I have no doubt the Tony-Todd combo will find success early on in their 2022 campaign,” Don Schumacher said. “Joe and Cathi Maynard joined our team at the beginning of 2021, and have proved to be tremendous partners,” Don Schumacher added. “We couldn’t be more pleased that they have decided to grow with our team into a large role, and we look forward to continuing to make them proud.”
Tony Schumacher, 51, has stated, since his departure from full-time Camping World Drag Racing Series competition, that he was never interested in doing one-offs from time to time.”I wanted to be in a situation where I could compete for a championship.
“2020 was an exception, of course, and returning to the seat for that eight-race stint made me realize how much I truly, truly missed being out here and driving a 330-mile-per-house Top Fuel machine. Drag racing is in my blood; it’s who I am, andI’m incredibly pumped I get to suit back up and race for a championship in 2022.”
Joe and Cathi Maynard have long had an affinity for Tony Schumacher and are ecstatic to be able to be such an integral part of his return to racing. “Cathi and I have been avid NHRA fan for many years. As Army veterans, Tony Schumacher in the U.S. Army dragster was always our favorite and ignited our passion for drag racing,” he explained. Maynard retired from the Army as an SFC in 1994, while Cathi served the country as a Military Policeman and Department o the Army civilian from 1976 to 1994.
“When we first became involved with DSR last year, our initial discussions centered around bringing Tony back in a full-time capacity. We’ve been working toward that goal ever since,” Joe Maynard explained. “We’re so excited that we get to be a major part of his return and can’t wait to see him get back to his winning ways.”
The 2022 Camping World Drag Racing Series season begins at its traditional location, Auto Club Raceway at Pomona, the weekend of February 17-20, with the Lucas Oil NHRA Winternationals presented by ProtectTheHarvest.com.
Welcome back Tony.