NHRA Tony Schumacher victory in Top Fuel is first in more than two years

BAYTOWN, Texas — Top Fuel victory leader Tony Schumacher won for the first time in more than two years Sunday in the Mopar Express Lane NHRA SpringNationals at Houston Raceway Park.

The eight-time season champion pushed his victory record to 85, beating points leader and defending series champion Steve Torrence with a 3.669-second run at 330.63 mph. Torrence had a 3.687 at 330.07.

“I’m super proud and I’m so happy for my guys,” said Schumacher, who missed much of the 2019 season because of a lack of sponsorship and also started 2020 on the sidelines. “I’ve done this and lived these moments, and been part of some cool stuff, and these guys were able to dig deep.

“That final round, those are epic battles. You’ve got two badass teams battling it out and it was the best race we’ve seen all year. It was a team effort and everybody did a great job.”

It was Schumacher’s first victory since June 17, 2018 at Bristol Dragway.

For the first time since 2018 @TheSargeTF is in the winner’s circle! @OfficialMOPAR Express Lane #SpringNats presented by @Pennzoil pic.twitter.com/9i0NDvtqdO

— #NHRA (@NHRA) October 25, 2020

Tommy Johnson Jr. won in Funny Car, Aaron Stanfield in Pro Stock and Eddie Krawiec in Pro Stock Motorcycle in the 10th of 11 races in the NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series season.

The season finale is next weekend at Las Vegas.

Johnson stayed in title contention and extended Don Schumacher Racing’s Funny Car winning streak to 13, beating Ron Capps with a 3.929 at 321.04 in a Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat. He won for the third time this season and 22nd overall.

Stanfield raced to his first Pro Stock win, topping Jeg Coughlin Jr. with a 6.535 at 211.03 in a Chevrolet Camaro.

Krawiec won for the first time in more than two years, edging Ryan Oehler for his 48th victory. Krawiec had a 6.801 at 198.61 on a Harley-Davidson.

The IndyCar Series has re-signed NTT as its title sponsor in a multiyear agreement starting in 2024.

NTT, a global information technology and communications company based in Japan, became the series’ title sponsor before the 2019 season after starting as a sponsor of the No. 10 Dallara-Honda for Chip Ganassi Racing.

NTT Data (a subsidiary of parent company Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.) will remain the official technology partner of IndyCar, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Brickyard weekend.

With the extension, an IndyCar spokesman said NTT would become the second-longest title sponsor in series history. The longest title sponsor was PPG from 1980-97 (under the CART sanction of the Champ Car Series).

NTT replaced Verizon, which was IndyCar’s title sponsor from 2014-18 after IZOD from 2010-13.

“NTT is an excellent partner across our enterprise with strong expertise and a deep commitment to our sport,” Penske Corp. chairman and IndyCar owner Roger Penske said in a release. “From Smart Venue technology at the Racing Capital of the World to the reimagined Series mobile application, NTT is transforming the fan experience in new and innovative ways. We look forward to a bright future together.”

NTT has used artificial intelligence-enabled optical detection technology at IMS to provide information to the track’s operations and security teams, helping improve fan traffic flow and safety, the track said.

“IndyCar is a great partner for NTT Data because of our shared commitment to driving innovation, increasing sustainability and delivering amazing experiences,” NTT Data CEO Kaz Nishihata said in a release. “We also appreciate how IndyCar is so diverse, with drivers from 15 different countries, and races that range from short ovals and superspeedways to road and street courses. It’s both an incredible sport and a wonderful example for our world.”

NTT also has been instrumental in helping redesign the IndyCar app and providing more race and driver data for use in NBC Sports’ broadcasts by utilizing 140 data points from every car in the field.

“NTT is fully invested in the development and growth of our sport and has already established a terrific track record in our industry with problem-solving capabilities and access to top talent and tools,” Penske Entertainment president and CEO Mark Miles said.

Said NTT Data Services CEO Bob Pryor: “We’re thrilled to continue our collaborations that enhance and expand the fan experience for motorsports and serve as proof points for data analytics, AI, and other innovative digital technologies. For more than a century, this racing series has pioneered innovations making driving safer for everyone, and by continuing this relationship, we will accelerate the pace of innovations and new technologies, particularly related to sustainability that ultimately can benefit organizations, communities and individuals around the world.”

Starting as a Japanese telephone company, NTT grew into a $100 billion-plus tech services giant with U.S. operations based in Plano, Texas.