U.S. Army team heads for season finale, Schumacher still in contention for title

10/31/2007

U.S. Army NHRA pilots, Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher, Angelle Sampey and Antron Brown, will close out the 2007 NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series season here this weekend in the Auto Club Finals at Auto Club Raceway.

With the curtain about to come down for ‘07, Schumacher remains in contention for his fourth straight POWERade world championship. He holds fourth-place in the NHRA’s Countdown to One standings, 67 points behind leader, Rod Fuller.

For Sampey and Brown, the Pomona race weekend will mark the end of a five-season run with the U.S. Army as their sponsor.

Top Fuel

After a disappointing second round loss in the ACDelco Las Vegas Nationals last weekend Schumacher will be looking to rebound with a win in Southern California while hoping help arrives to allow him to claim another world championship.

“Sitting in fourth, we’ve got to jump over three guys (Fuller, Larry Dixon and Brandon Bernstein) to get the title,” said Schumacher. “While that’s a tough hill to climb, we can definitely do it. My team is terrific under pressure.”

For Schumacher to get another POWERade trophy, he will likely have to out-qualify his competition and win the race, while hoping Fuller, Dixon and Bernstein  absorb first round losses.

“That’s probably the way the cards have to line up for us,” he added. “Of course, there’s always the chance that we could get 20 bonus points for setting the national elapsed time record.”

Last year at the season finale, Schumacher won the race and set the elapsed time record to win the crown by 14 points over Doug Kalitta.

“We’ll see how it all unfolds this weekend,” he said. “You never know what could happen. We’re going to be warriors right to the end, that’s for sure.”

Pro Stock Motorcycles

While both Sampey and Brown want to end the ’07 campaign with a victory, the parting of ways with their long-time sponsor, the U.S. Army, will no doubt produce great emotion.

“We’ve had such a great run with the U.S. Army and all of the soldiers,” said Sampey. “I’m going to miss them all. Rest assured the relationship that we’ve built up over the years will always remain strong.”

“I feel the same way,” added Brown. “I have so much respect for the brave men and women who protect us. I’m going to try and stay in touch with as many of them as I can. They’ve provided tremendous support to us since we started racing for the U.S. Army. I want to return that support and then some.”

In Pomona, Sampey will be seeking her second win of the year, while Brown will be trying to avoid a winless season.

“I will have all of my family and friends crossing their fingers and toes for me this weekend,” said Brown. “Perhaps, this will be my race to win.”