Las Vegas II: Tony Schumacher preview

SCHUMACHER, JOHNSON HAVE SIMILAR THOUGHTS

LAS VEGAS, Nev., October 27 - U.S. Army Top Fuel driver Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher couldn't help but smile when he heard NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson being interviewed following last Sunday's race at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

"I could definitely relate to what he was talking about," said Schumacher as he prepared for this weekend's Las Vegas Nationals here at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. "He and I are clearly in similar positions at the moment. Neither one of us really want to talk about points right now."

While Johnson currently leads the NASCAR Sprint Cup standings with a handful of races to go, Schumacher sits atop the NHRA's Top Fuel standings heading into the final two races of the 2009 Full Throttle Drag Racing Series season.

"I totally understand where Jimmie is coming from," said the six-time world champion. "He said he's tired of talking about what ifs. I feel exactly the way he does. Everything will sort itself out on its own."

After a two-week break in the NHRA schedule, Schumacher carries a 47-point lead over Larry Dixon out to The Strip. Other title contenders include Cory McClenathan and Antron Brown, who are 68 points and 81 points back, respectively.

"It's real tight," added Schumacher. "Right now, there's absolutely no room for error. If you slip up at this point, you're likely done. We need to be on our game from the minute we unload out in Vegas."

Schumacher is hoping his history at The Strip will help produce positive results come Sunday afternoon. Of his four career wins there, three came in the fall event.

"That's all well and good, but Dixon has had just as much success as I've had with his four wins," he offered. "Again, one would expect all of the contenders to run well. We just have to be that much better."

While Schumacher is seeking his sixth consecutive world championship, he's attempting to win his first crown with crew chief Mike Green, who replaced Alan Johnson for the '09 campaign.

"I'd love to get that first one with Mike," he said. "And, we both want to continue winning for our Army Strong Soldiers. Our brave men and women deserve to hold another big trophy."

-credit: dsr