SCHUMACHER SETS WINS MARK
CONCORD, N.C. — Tony Schumacher set the record for career top fuel victories Sunday by winning the inaugural NHRA Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway for his 53rd triumph, breaking Joe Amato’s record.
Schumacher powered his dragster to a final-round performance of 3.882 seconds at 317.64 mph to hold off Antron Brown (3.923 at 309.42). It was Schumacher’s seventh straight victory, his 12th of the year, 28th consecutive elimination- round win and his 14th final-round appearance — all of them NHRA season top fuel records.
“This is something just special,” said Schumacher, who increased his Countdown to 1 points lead to 46 over Brown. “I feel blessed to be the driver of that race car. ”
He also credited crew chief Alan Johnson and his team.
Schumacher beat title contenders Dave Grubnic, Larry Dixon and Hillary Will before outrunning Brown in the final. Jack Beckman, Justin Humphreys and Steve Johnson also won their divisions in the first of six races in the NHRA Powerade Series Countdown to 1.
Vettel makes F1 history
MONZA, Italy — Sebastian Vettel became the youngest driver to win a Formula One race when the 21-year-old German captured the Italian Grand Prix on a wet Monza course that made for difficult driving.
Vettel was on the pole and edged Heikki Kovalainen of McLaren by 12.5 seconds to give Torro Rosso its first victory.
“For sure the best day of my life,” Vettel said. “These pictures, these emotions I will never forget.”
The Associated Press
