Schumacher clinches Top Fuel title in Las Vegas

Sam Morris

Las Vegas resident and defending top fuel champion at The Strip, Rod Fuller, sits on his car after losing to series champion Tony Schumacher, celebrating on the right, at the ACDelco Las Vegas NHRA Nationals Sunday.

By Steve Silver (contact)

Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 | 9:36 p.m.

When Tony Schumacher sets world records, he does so with authority.

Schumacher clinched a record sixth season title in the National Hot Rod Association POWERade Top Fuel series by simply qualifying on Saturday for the ACDelco Nationals final elimination rounds.

But qualifying wasn't enough for one of the most dominant drag racers in the world.

With his fifth consecutive season championship already in hand, Schumacher dominated the competition Sunday by scorching the Las Vegas Motor Speedway for his 15th top fuel title this year -- tying an NHRA record.

“Every race we’ve won it gets harder and harder to do it, because the bar is so high,” said Schumacher, who drives the U.S. Army dragster. “… I think we’ve proven to everyone that we deserve this.”

Sunday’s impressive performance against Las Vegas resident Rod Fuller in the final round earned Schumacher his third consecutive title and helped fuel an ongoing rivalry on the circuit.

Before the final round, Fuller announced on the track’s loud speaker following the semifinals that he wanted to race and beat Schumacher for the title.

Schumacher clearly didn't pay attention to the trash talk as he sealed Sunday’s victory with a time of 3.806 seconds at a speed of 314.53 mph on the 1,000-foot-long racing strip.

“At some point maybe he should call in sick if he draws me,” Schumacher joked. “But I get it. I do. I’d want to race us, too, because if you win and beat the guy that is best at the time, that is great ... If he keeps asking for it, and we’ll just keep giving it to him.”

Schumacher made Fuller eat his words, beating the local fan favorite for the eighth time this season. Schumacher is now 8-2 against Fuller in final elimination rounds this year.

The Long Grove, Ill., native also posted the highest speed (318.92 mph) and fastest race time (3.781 seconds) in his four races on Sunday.

Schumacher has now won nine of his last 10 races and is just two short of tying the NHRA’s all-time record of 76, set by Greg Anderson in 2004.

With one race remaining in the POWERade series at the Auto Club NHRA Finals in Pomona, Calif., all Schumacher has to do is show up to claim his fifth consecutive season title.

“I can’t wait until Pomona,” Schumacher said. “It’s going to be a lot of fun out there after all the hard work we put in this year.”

Cruz cruises to Funny Car title

In the co-main event Sunday, Cruz Pedregon snagged the Funny Car championship by downing Robert Hight by 0.01 seconds at a speed of 304.67 mph.

Pedregon’s title in Las Vegas is his first back-to-back victory in 14 years.

“I didn’t want to get caught up in the championship points and I know it sounds boring, but I just want up there and tried to maintain my emotions,” Pedregon said. “… I maintained my focus and we got the win there. It was a tough race and a tough opponent.”

Pedregon’s victory on Sunday also puts him atop the POWERade Series points standings heading into the final race. Pedregon leads Tim Wilkerson by just 12 points.

Sunday’s runner-up, Hight, is only 39 points back.

The rest of Sunday’s results

Jeg Coughlin defeated Greg Stanfield by nearly three seconds for the Pro Stock title while Chris Rivas flew past Eddie Krawiec for the Pro Stock Motorcycle championship.

The Las Vegas Motor Speedway also hosted four amateur races Sunday.

Dan Fletcher took home the Competition Eliminator crown, Anthony Bertozzi earned the Super Stock trophy, Tommy Phillips won the Super Comp title and Brad Pierce garnered the Super Gas prize.