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Don Schumacher ’ s legacy lives on at Route 66 Nationals By Nate Van Wagnen
Family , friends , and former drivers and employees of the late iconic Funny Car driver and team owner Don Schumacher gathered May 17-19 to pay their respects during Schumacher ’ s home race , the NHRA Route 66 Nationals at Route 66 Raceway outside Chicago . The weekend included a Celebration of Life ceremony hosted by the Schumacher family , as well as a special tribute paint scheme on the JCM Racing Top Fuel dragster driven by Don ’ s son , eight-time world champion Tony Schumacher . Former Don Schumacher Racing drivers Antron Brown and Matt Hagan closed out the tribute weekend by sweeping the nitro categories . On Friday morning , the Celebration of Life took place in a special Schumacher family hospitality tent along the staging lanes . With opening remarks by NHRA on FOX lead broadcaster Brian Lohnes and a moment of silence led by Racers for Christ chaplain Eddie Baugher , the ceremony also included the unveiling of the Don Schumacher tribute livery on son Tony ’ s dragster . The look was inspired by Don ’ s 1970 U . S .
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Nationals-winning ’ 70 Plymouth Funny Car . A roster of current and former drivers who drove for Schumacher at some point in their careers took part in an autograph session after the ceremony . The lineup included Tony Schumacher , Antron Brown , Ron Capps , Matt Hagan , Jack Beckman , Spencer Massey , Jeg Coughlin Jr ., and Angelle Sampey . They all spoke on Schumacher ’ s impact on their careers .
Schumacher ’ s influence on the sport wasn ’ t limited to the drivers that raced under the DSR umbrella , and people like fellow Chicagoland racer TJ Zizzo made it a point to mention that . In Zizzo ’ s pre-race press release , he shared what Schumacher meant to his small independent Top Fuel team .
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“ Don Schumacher is one of the major reasons Zizzo Racing is still getting to do what we love at the highest level ,” said Zizzo . “ He was a great friend and mentor . His impact on racing and the Chicago business community was massive . I think about him every day , and every time I go into the shop , I am thankful for every opportunity , every conversation , and the words of encouragement he gave me and our team . He was one of the iconic figures in our sport and this weekend will be a celebration of his generosity and impact .”
Zizzo had another opportunity to thank Schumacher on Friday evening when he ended the day as the provisional No . 1 qualifier . He maintained that spot through Saturday ’ s two sessions , claiming his first career No . 1 qualifier . Zizzo made the quickest pass of the session in three of the four qualifying sessions .
“ Today has been a dream ,” Zizzo said on Friday night . “ You have the opportunity to do all kinds of things in this world , but to do this with friends and family is really special . We have worked really hard to get this done and it means a lot .
“ I have to say that Don Schumacher was riding along with me today . He was instrumental in the success of this team . We don ’ t race as much as I ’ d like , but I have confidence that when the car runs ,
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PHOTOGRAPHS BY KRISTA ZIVCIC AND NHRA |