DON SCHUMACHER TRIBUTE

every nut and bolt is right . My crew is all volunteer , but they ’ ve all been with me for a long time and I have complete confidence in them .”

Enthusiasm and anticipation levels were high in the JCM Racing pit area on Sunday morning , as Schumacher was motivated to get a hometown win for his late father while sporting the tribute look . Hopes were dashed when Schumacher lost traction down track in the first pair of the opening round of eliminations , but he still reflected on the positives of the event .

“ It was just a fantastic weekend with all the friends and family and everyone from Schumacher Electric and all the people that loved my dad so much ,” Schumacher said . “ It was nice to hear all the thankfulness that people gave from him guiding them through this racing world . It was just awesome to represent him with this tribute car . I can ’ t believe we didn ’ t win this trophy .”

Though Schumacher didn ’ t get that meaningful trophy , former DSR drivers Brown and Hagan did pull through .

Hagan , who joined DSR as a 26-year-old Pro Mod driver turned Funny Car upstart in 2009 , raced for Schumacher until joining the new Tony Stewart Racing Nitro team in 2022 . He won three of his four world championships with DSR . Hagan ’ s win over John Force , his second consecutive victory after winning his 50th at Charlotte , put him in the points lead as he pursues a second consecutive championship and fifth overall .

“ For much of my career , I drove for Don Schumacher , and we celebrated his life here this weekend in his hometown ,” Hagan said . “ He got me into Funny Car racing 15 years ago . Now , I race for Tony Stewart Racing , and Tony gives me the best equipment I could ask for in NHRA competition .”

Brown , who raced for Schumacher on the U . S . Army Pro Stock Motorcycle team and again a few years later with the Matco Tools Top Fuel dragster ,

went on to score his first win of the season by defeating Shawn Langdon in the final round . He credited Schumacher for guiding him through the process of starting his own team , AB Motorsports .

“ For Don Schumacher , our boss , our guy that got us all out here , I ’ m dedicating this to him and his family ,” Brown said . “ I got to share the winner ’ s circle with my old teammate Matt Hagan today , it was like one of those old-school DSR double-ups ; it brought a tear to my eye .” DI

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52 | Drag Illustrated | DragIllustrated . com Issue 189