INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (Army News Service, Sept. 8, 2004) - For the first time since partnering with Schumacher Racing in both the Top Fuel and Pro Stock Bike classes, the U.S.Army team claimed two victories Sept. 6 in the 50th annual Mac Tools U.S. Nationals at Indianapolis Raceway Park.

U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster, Tony "the Sarge" Schumacher, captured the Top Fuel class in the NHRA's most prestigious race for the fourth time in five years, while U.S. Army Pro Stock Bike driver, Antron Brown, won his second U.S. Nationals title.

Angelle Savoie, on the other U.S. Army Suzuki, lost in the second round of eliminations.

Top Fuel win

Schumacher marched to round wins over Mike Strasburg, Morgan Lucas and Scott Kalitta, before taking out his nearest competitor in the Top Fuel point standings, Doug Kalitta, in the finals with a 4.597-second pass at323.66 mph.

The victory moved the Chicago native into sole possession of second place on the U.S. Nationals Top Fuel win list behind "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, who has eight wins to his credit.

"This is incredible," said an elated Schumacher. "To win this race once is something, but to win it four times is beyond belief. This U.S. Army team just won't be denied, that's all there is to it. We just seem to have a handle on this track. I really can't explain it."

Trophy dedicated to Russell

The 1999 Top Fuel world champion won't be taking home the first-place trophy, however. He dedicated the win and trophy to the widow of the late Darrell Russell -- Julie Russell.

"This trophy is for Julie and my good friend, Darrell," added Schumacher. "I know Darrell was looking down on us today. We all miss him so much."

Schumacher next heads for the Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading, Pa. in two weeks holding a 160-point lead over Doug Kalitta in the championship standings.

"We can't let up for one minute," said Schumacher. "We have to keep adding round wins and putting distance between us and them."



Pro Stock Bikes

Brown, aboard his U.S. Army Suzuki, took care of Karen Stoffer, Craig Treble and Chris Bostick in the opening three rounds, before disposing of Shawn Gann in the finals with a 7.213-second dash at 185.77 mph.

"I feel just like Tony does - ecstatic," said Brown. "I've now won the U.S. Nationals twice in my career and that's an unbelievable feeling, trust me. My U.S. Army team knows how to take care of business."



The Indy win also marked the second victory in as many races for the New Jersey native.

"We've been real consistent," he said. "That's the way we won Memphis two weeks ago and that's how we won here today. I'm so proud of everyone on this team."

Savoie got through her opening round match up with Josh Helvie, but fell victim to an ill-handling bike in her second round loss to Bostick.

"My bike bogged a bunch at the start against Bostick and that cost us big time," offered the three-time Pro Stock Bike world champion. "I just couldn't run him down. It's very disappointing because I thought we had a real decent chance to win today."

Brown and Savoie leave Indianapolis in second and fourth, respectively, in the Pro Stock Bike standings. They will join Schumacher for the Lucas Oil Nationals, Sept. 16-19., at Maple Grove Raceway.