One-on-one question and answer interview

Story and questions © by Dwight Drum
Photos © by Dwight Drum and Gary Larsen
Web work by Gary Lasen

Tony Schumacher

Earlier this year Zoomster.com interviewed many top NHRA POWERade drivers about the 2004 season. Their outlook may match their results as races go by, but their thoughts and energy for racing will fit in any part of the season. Tony Schumacher was the 2001 NHRA champion and he's leading in points for the 2004 championship in his US Army sponsored Top Fuel dragster. Please enjoy this exclusive interview with a great racer with a great sponsor.

Dwight Drum and Gary Larsen of Zoomster.com are both Veterans (Gary went to Vietnam) and we dedicate this interview to all our US troops with special thoughts for those who will never read or breathe again.

Dwight asked Tony Schumacher:

"Unbelievable. Since last year nine races in, we hired Allen Johnson. We've been looking forward to getting this season started. We spent a lot of time last year learning, getting ready for the hot season this year and we're very comfortable. We feel as though we have a great racecar and a great race team, and we're going to be one of the very few cars that are going to be hard to beat."

"I'm not sure. I've had some unbelievable good ones. Have I had my best. I think this season is going to be right up there with the best of anyone's season."

"Where do I get the fire? I was born with it, man. I've wanted to race since I was a kid. I just love it. That's the thing that separates a lot of athletes. Some are going to be pretty good. Some are just going to love what they do and those are the ones who are going to win championships. "

"Probably not until I was 21 or 22. I was racing all along, but until I then I didn't say, you know you what? I can make this work. I was still learning and hanging out with friends and trying to make it work, but until I got a little bit older, it was like, man, we can make this happen."

"Winning. I like drag racing too, because it's a public sport. Every fan gets to come in. People ask all the time, don't you get hammered. You know what? I wouldn't want it any other way. I wouldn't want to be sealed off from the fans. They are as much a part of it, just like I was a part of it growing up. When I couldn't drive I was still a part of it. It's one of the few sports that let's the fans be right in the driver's seat with you."

"My family"

"Waking up in the morning knowing it's going to be an intense day. By thousands of a second some one is going to lose and someone is going to win."

"Unbelievable high energy."

"Right now as you know there are some big battles going on. Once again we donated to the children that would give anything to be out here doing what we love to do."