SIGNATURE PROFILES
© 1999-2003 Dwight Drum

Photos (c) 2003 by Gary Larsen and Dwight Drum
Web Work by Gary Larsen
Questions and story by Dwight Drum

DWIGHT CHATS WITH…TONY SCHUMACHER

The "Sarge"is motivated, disciplined, and sharp as he represents the US Army behind the big controls of the US Army/Schumacher Racing Top Fuel Dragster. Tony Schumacher's crisp answers have all the elements of training, preparation, and confidence. Schumacher displays all the skilled ingredients of the military, and he is willing to sacrifice to overcome, to win.

Schumacher is also well supplied in the Schumacher drag racing team…one Top Fuel Dragster and three Funny Cars. Other race teams probably think they are facing an army when they stroll down Schumacher row at an NHRA event.

The 1999 NHRA Winston Top Fuel Champion is ready for a season long battle of nitro power points in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series for Top Fuel Dragster. Schumacher's words are swift to bring authentic nitro moments about this popular class. Attention!

DOB: Dec. 25, 1969
Birth Town: Canoga Park, Calif.
Home Town: Long Grove, Ill.

"Definitely being friendly with kids. That's what the future is. Kids are what life is all about. I enjoy my son so much, and I enjoy people that take time with him."

"I have to say other...making people smile. It's what I've always loved to do. I was a smart aleck in school, probably for the same reason, but seeing all the fans, seeing all the people that are enjoying what you do and that kind of thing....so... it might be fame, because the fame can lend itself to being able to do that. It gives you the chance to get in front of the camera and make the people smile."

"My Dad. Families are always going to battle when they are in the middle of championship races working together. We're both so darn intense, but he's a loyal champ and he's the one that gets the team to where we need to be."

"More Kids. I have one, we have plans for a few more, and can't wait to get them. Everyday I wake up at home, I spend my whole day playing with my son."

"Every single time! I don't care if I'm backing out of my drive, natural, I just snap it on. I've been over the wall at 315mph and I guarantee that thing saved my butt."

"Honesty. It's Simple. I don't care what you're doing. It's honesty."

"I'd probably be a fireman. With all that's going on right now an Army Ranger doesn't sound so bad either."

"I love motorcycles. I love fly fishing."

"I had a Jeep Grand Cherokee, but we just sold it for a Mercedes car because it's safer."

"Just about everything. I think everyone that drives on the highway is crazy. I've probably gotten run off the road more times then anyone in the world. The difference is I pay attention all the time. I look much further ahead. I see a lot of problems happen before they become my problem."

"My legs."

"All the time."

"Losing. Simple as that. One word....losing."

"Hockey."

"Definitely try to be cool. Usually I laugh."

"Normally I'm very laid back and my heart beat doesn't go up very much. When the race is over my heart rate raises a bunch, because it is very intense. I just stay calm in the car."

"I'd say the moment I woke up in my bus, with a broken leg, after a crash, because I don't remember the crash, but I remember waking up and wondering what happened?"

"Heights."

"Ride a motorcycle."

"I ride a Harley-Davidson Confederate from S&S Cycles, a bad boy bike."

"Probably every minute."

"Probably with my family."

"Nothing. That's a good question. I really don't worry because I'm a firm believer in what's supposed to happen is going to happen, so there's really no reason to worry."

"If you want to feel the experience of the G's, jump out of an airplane once. It's about as close as you'll get. If you want to feel the negative G's, don't pull the parachute on the way down."

"Red lighting. Red lighting tells to let the car do the job, do your best, and not guess at things."

"My family and my father"

"Yes I do... I have a dog and two cats."

"German-Shepard Pincher mix."

"Not really."

"Sarge."

"When I was 16, I started bracket racing an 86 Trans Am."

"Nothing."

"I'm a very positive attitude person who is a definite team player."

"For all the people joining the US Army that are thinking about being a team member...There's nothing in the world like it.. I just got back from Afghanistan and if you go over there... make us proud!"

Tony Schumacher is an animated driver who displays many attributes worthy of mention. The "Sarge," knows what it's like to be the "Champ". As I searched for one word to describe Schumacher many good words applied. I decided on a word that expressed Schumacher's skills and discipline. Webmaster Gary Larsen and I are both Veterans and we agreed…Tony Schumacher is a….