Long Grove’s Schumacher leads Top Fuel points race

U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver Tony “The Sarge” Schumacher has heard the line many times from the Army Strong Soldiers he interacts with every race weekend — never accept defeat.

After dropping his fourth final-round loss of the season to Steve Torrence in the Summit Racing Equipment Southern Nationals at Atlanta Dragway, Schumacher will hold to form and once again take the advice to heart.

“Without question, that’s exactly what we will do,” the driver from Long Grove said. “We will stay at it, you can count on that. There’s a lot of racing left and we’re not going to settle for being runner-up all of the time. We will bring home some trophies this year.”

With the track temperature at almost 135 degrees, Schumacher ended up smoking the tires against Torrence, who posted a 3.893-second pass at 320.66 mph. It was Torrence’s first career win.

Despite the loss, Schumacher, the seven-time world champion, was able to wrestle away the top spot in the standings from his U.S. Army Racing/Don Schumacher Racing teammate Antron Brown, who dropped a first-round race to Doug Kalitta.

Schumacher, with 604 points, leads a top-five that includes Spencer Massey, Brown, Morgan Lucas and Torrence, respectively.

“It’s always a good thing to be leading the points,” Schumacher said. “But, to be honest, it would have been better to be leaving here with the points lead and a win. People say you can’t have your cake and eat it, too, but I’m one person who wants that in the worst way.”

Schumacher’s winless streak has now reached 30 consecutive races dating back to his last victory at the 2010 fall Las Vegas event. He also remains winless at Atlanta Dragway, the only track on the NHRA tour where has failed to claim a title.

“We’re going to keep fighting,” Schumacher said. “This is not over by a long shot.

“I have full confidence that wins are right around the corner for the U.S. Army team.”

Going into round eight of the 23-race NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, the Dollar General SummerNationals May 18-20 at Heartland Park Topeka (Kan.), following are the top-five in the