It’s a Top-Notch Top Fuel Victory

Tony Schumacher raced to his second top fuel victory of the season Monday in the NHRA’s U.S. Nationals.

He also won for the second time in the world’s most prestigious drag race by defeating season points leader Larry Dixon in the final round. Schumacher drove his dragster to a performance of 4.663 seconds at 315.93 mph. Dixon lost traction near mid-track and posted a 5.161 at 240.29.

“What an incredible day,” Schumacher said after the seventh victory of his career. “Indy is a race you wait for all year. To win Indy is incredible, and to win it two times in three years is unbelievable.

“My father has won this race, and his team has had a lot of success here. I’m just glad we won it again.”

John Force, Jeg Coughlin and Angelle Savoie also were winners.

Force got his sixth win of the season and the 104th of his career by defeating Tommy Johnson Jr. in funny car. Force won for the fourth time at Indy, running 5.028 at 280.02 to hold off Johnson. The loser clocked a quicker time at 4.996 and finished faster at 308.43 mph, but Force’s rapid reaction time at the start gave him a lead that was too much to overcome.

Coughlin also used a quick start to move into the pro stock points lead. Coughlin earned his fourth victory of the season and 27th of his career with quick reflexes. He covered a quarter-mile Indianapolis Raceway Park in 6.951 at 199.08. Jim Yates lost despite a 6.934 at 200.08.

Savoie got her fourth victory of the season and 26th of her career in pro stock motorcycle, defeating Shawn Gann. Savoie clocked a 7.232 at 183.39 to defeat Gann, who posted a 7.263 at 184.22.