CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Tony Schumacher knows there are vastly different challenges when he arrives at state-of-the-art zMAX Dragway for this weekend’s NHRA Four-Wide Nationals.
But that doesn’t change the approach for the reigning Top Fuel world champion. As always, it is business as usual for Schumacher, who embraces the unique aspects of the race that leads to one of the most entertaining weekends of the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series season.
But Schumacher, who is seeking his first NHRA Four-Wide Nationals win, knows the weekend just isn’t about entertainment.
“This race is certainly different from all of the others, but it’s still my job to leave the starting line when the light turns and get to the finish line first,” Schumacher said. “That’s it. My job is to drive a racecar no matter how many cars are there and get to the finish line first. We love Bruton Smith and his staff does a great job of putting on big events. It’s always exciting to come to Charlotte and we know this race is truly unique.”
As the fourth of 24 races in 2015, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway is one of the most thrilling events in motorsports as on each run four 10,000-horsepower machines line up next to each other on the starting line in Charlotte.
Antron Brown (Top Fuel), Robert Hight (Funny Car), Jimmy Alund (Pro Stock) and Andrew Hines (PSM) were last year’s winners of the event that will once again be televised on ESPN and ESPN2. ESPN will provide live eliminations coverage on Sunday starting at 2 p.m., and Mello Yello Series racing will begin at 1 p.m. (ET) at the track.
After claiming his eighth world championship in 2014 with a dominant performance in the Mello Yello Countdown to the Championship, Schumacher and his 10,000-horsepower U.S. Army dragster is once again in top form.
He won in Phoenix and posted another final round berth at the most recent event in Gainesville before falling to teammate Spencer Massey. That puts him in second heading into the Four-Wide Nationals, which requires a mindset that is totally different from any other race on the Mello Yello Drag Racing Series circuit.
“We’ve all learned how to race in the Four-Wide and it’s not as easy to race three other cars,” Schumacher said. “If you show up at a boxing match with three other guys, it is distracting. Who’s going to hit me first? What’s the next move? There’s a lot of other variables and for a driver that is trained and used to going one on one, it’s certainly takes some getting used to. It starts with staging. You can’t make a little mistake, because there are three other drivers that can capitalize on it.”
Racing well in pressure situations has been a key component in Schumacher’s stay at the top of the Top Fuel ranks. It’s also crucial for success at the Four-Wide Nationals, something Schumacher knows must be present all weekend at zMAX Dragway.
“Normally, you might be able to make a mistake and there’s a chance the other driver will make one too, but when there’s three of them, you’ve got a couple guys that are going to be ice cold,” Schumacher said. “You have to be a machine to win the Four-Wide. You have to be as ice cold as you can ever be to get the job done.”
It’s also needed because Schumacher will face off against a loaded Top Fuel lineup that includes Brown, who picked up one of his six victories in 2014 at the event. Massey is a two-time winner at the event, while other top contenders include Doug Kalitta, J.R. Todd, three-time world champ Larry Dixon, reigning rookie of the year Richie Crampton, Brittany Force, Steve Torrence and 2013 world champion Shawn Langdon.
But Schumacher, who has 78 career wins, will have only one thing on his mind this weekend in Charlotte.
“The U.S. Army car has been an incredible machine,” Schumacher said. “(Crew chief) Mike (Green) and (assistant crew chief) Neal (Strausbaugh) and all my guys have been doing a phenomenal job. I’m surrounded by guys that make a difference every race weekend, just like the Soldiers in the U.S. Army make a difference for America every day. I feel like I need to drive better. I’ve got to step up my performance for us to have the kind of success we are striving for. I want that Four-Wide trophy. It’s a race that I haven’t won and our mission this weekend to be the last one standing.”
In Funny Car, Hight scored a victory at the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals in 2014, his first of three straight victories on the season. The winningest driver in NHRA history at zMAX Dragway with four victories, Hight has won twice at the Four-Wide Nationals. Reigning world champ Matt Hagan, the series points leader with two wins this season, is a three-time winner at Charlotte, while other stars include John Force, Courtney Force, three-time national event winner Alexis DeJoria, Del Worsham, Cruz Pedregon, Jack Beckman, Tommy Johnson Jr. and Ron Capps, who won the most recent event at Gainesville.
Substituting for four-time Pro Stock world champ Greg Anderson, who had off-season heart surgery, Alund ran the first five races and struck gold at zMAX Dragway in 2014. Anderson, a two-time winner of the event, is looking to build momentum after his 75th career victory two weeks ago at Gainesville, while teammate Jason Line won the season-opening race. Others to watch include reigning world champ Erica Enders-Stevens, 2012 world champ Allen Johnson, Phoenix winner and current points leader Rodger Brogdon, rookie sensation Drew Skillman, Shane Gray and Jonathan Gray.
Hines and Screamin’ Eagle Vance & Hines Harley-Davidson teammate Eddie Krawiec dominated the Pro Stock Motorcycle season, combining to win 11 of the 16 events in 2014. Hines claimed his first win of the year in Charlotte and claimed five more titles en route to his fourth career world championship. Krawiec, 2009 world champ Hector Arana Sr., 2013 event winner Hector Arana Jr.; two-time world champ Matt Smith, Angie Smith, Gainesville winner Karen Stoffer, and two-time zMAX winner Steve Johnson are all expected to be competitive in the two-wheeled category.
As always, fans will have the opportunity to interact with their favorite drivers as they’re granted an exclusive pit pass to the most powerful and sensory-filled motorsports attraction on the planet. This unique opportunity in motorsports gives fans direct access to the teams, allowing them to see firsthand the highly-skilled mechanics service their hot rods between rounds, and enjoy some cherished face time with their favorite NHRA drivers.
Fans also will want to visit NHRA’s popular Nitro Alley and Manufacturers Midway, where sponsors and race vendors create a carnival atmosphere, with interactive displays, simulated competitions, merchandise, food and fun for the entire family.
Mello Yello Series qualifying begins Friday, March 27, with sessions at 1:15 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. The final two qualifying sessions will take place Saturday, March 28, also at 1:15 and 4 p.m. Final eliminations are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 29.
The 2015 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals will also feature thrilling competition in the NHRA Lucas Oil Drag Racing Series.
Be a part of the action all weekend with a Three-Day Pass to the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals starting at $99. Tickets for children 13 and under are free with any paid adult ticket; to purchase general admission or reserved seats please visit www.zMAXDragway.com or call the box office at (800) 455-FANS (3267). For more information about NHRA, please visit www.NHRA.com.
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NHRA FOUR-WIDE NATIONALS FACT SHEET
WHAT: Sixth annual NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, the fourth of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series. Drivers in four categories – Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Stock and Pro Stock Motorcycle – earn points leading to 2015 NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series world championships.
WHERE: zMAX Dragway- Track is located on Hwy 29 off I-85 at exit 49 (Speedway Blvd.) in the Concord, N.C. area.
WHEN: Friday through Sunday, March 27-29
FORMAT: Qualifying sessions and elimination rounds will be conducted using four lanes in all Mello Yello Series classes; Lanes will be identified from left to right facing downtrack as 1-4; The standard Friday qualifying procedure of a top 12 format will not be in use; Two Christmas Trees will be in use, one between each two lanes; The Compulink Autostart system will continue to be utilized and it will not activate until all four vehicles are pre-staged and one vehicle has staged; The ladder structure will feature Race A: qualifiers 1, 8, 9, 16, Race B: qualifiers 4, 5, 12, 13, Race C: qualifiers 2, 7, 10, 15, and Race D: qualifiers 3, 6, 11, 14; Race A and Race B will be on one side of the ladder, while Race C and Race D will be on the other; Lane choice for eliminations goes to the driver with the quickest E.T., then the second-quickest, and so on; The first two drivers in each elimination round to cross the finish line advance to the second round and final; In the final round, teams will finish in the order they cross the finish line (barring any red-light starts), with winner, runner-up and two semifinalists in that order.
SCHEDULE:
FRIDAY, March 27 – LUCAS OIL SERIES qualifying
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.
SATURDAY, March 28 – LUCAS OIL SERIES eliminations
MELLO YELLO SERIES qualifying at 1:15 and 4:15 p.m.
SUNDAY, March 29 – Pre-race ceremonies, 11 a.m.
MELLO YELLO SERIES eliminations begin at 1 p.m.
TELEVISION:
Saturday, March 28, ESPN2 will televise 90 minutes of qualifying coverage at 8 p.m. (ET).
Sunday, March 29, ESPN will televise three hours of eliminations coverage at 2 p.m. (ET).
2014 EVENT WINNERS: Antron Brown, Top Fuel; Robert Hight, Funny Car; Jimmy Alund, Pro Stock; Andrew Hines, Pro Stock Motorcycle.
MOST VICTORIES: Spencer Massey, 2, TF; Robert Hight, 2, FC; Greg Anderson, 2, PS; Mike Edwards, 2, PS.
TRACK RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.749 seconds by Tony Schumacher, Sept. ’12; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12.
Funny Car – 3.980 seconds by Cruz Pedregon, Sept. ’13; 322.27 mph by Matt Hagan, Sept. ’11.
Pro Stock – 6.471 sec. by Mike Edwards, April ’13; 213.91 mph by Jason Line, April ’12.
Pro Stock Motorcycle – 6.810 sec. by Eddie Krawiec, Sept. ’11; 198.3 mph by Matt Smith, April. ’14.
NATIONAL RECORDS:
Top Fuel – 3.701 sec. by Antron Brown, Oct. ‘12, Reading, Pa.; 332.18 mph by Spencer Massey, April ’12, Charlotte, N.C.
Funny Car – 3.965 sec. and 324.12 mph by John Force, Feb. ’14, Pomona, Calif.
Pro Stock – 6.464 sec. and 215.55 mph by Erica Enders-Stevens, May ‘14, Englishtown N.J.
PS Motorcycle – 6.728 sec. by Andrew Hines, Oct. ’12, Reading, Pa.; 199.26 mph by Eddie Krawiec, March ’11, Gainesville, Fla.
TICKETS: Order tickets by phone at (800) 455-FANS. Tickets also are available online at www.zmaxdragway.com.
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NHRA MELLO YELLO DRAG RACING SERIES WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS STANDINGS
GLENDORA, Calif. — Point standings (top 10) following the third of 24 events in the NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series –
Top Fuel: 1. Shawn Langdon, 281; 2. Tony Schumacher, 268; 3. Spencer Massey, 250; 4. Antron Brown, 241; 5. Doug Kalitta, 184; 6. Richie Crampton, 159; 7. (tie) Larry Dixon, 140; Brittany Force, 140; 9. J.R. Todd, 139; 10. Steve Torrence, 121.
Funny Car: 1. Matt Hagan, 267; 2. Ron Capps, 241; 3. Del Worsham, 213; 4. Robert Hight, 177; 5. John Hale, 173; 6. Tommy Johnson Jr., 172; 7. Alexis DeJoria, 162; 8. (tie) Courtney Force, 157; Cruz Pedregon, 157; 10. Tim Wilkerson, 145.
Pro Stock: 1. Rodger Brogdon, 284; 2. Jason Line, 277; 3. Drew Skillman, 229; 4. Chris McGaha, 220; 5. Erica Enders-Stevens, 217; 6. Greg Anderson, 203; 7. Shane Gray, 166; 8. Allen Johnson, 142; 9. Larry Morgan, 121; 10. Vincent Nobile, 119.
Pro Stock Motorcycle: 1. Karen Stoffer, 115; 2. Eddie Krawiec, 98; 3. (tie) Shawn Gann, 72; LE Tonglet, 72; 5. Angelle Sampey, 66; 6. Andrew Hines, 59; 7. Hector Arana, 54; 8. Angie Smith, 51; 9. Matt Smith, 43; 10. (tie) Steve Johnson, 34. Jim Underdahl, 34.
