Schumacher Captures Titus Trophy, Looks Ahead to Pre-Season Testing

By U.S. Army RacingJanuary 16, 2007

The Sarge
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHICAGO, Ill. (Army News Service, Jan. 16, 2006) - With pre-season testing but two weeks away, U.S. Army NHRA Top Fuel driver, Tony "The Sarge" Schumacher, is still being reminded of his dramatic 2006 world championship season.

Last Saturday night in Indianapolis, Schumacher received the prestigious Jerry Titus Memorial Trophy from the American Auto Racing Writers & Broadcasters Association (AARWBA), which is the organization's Driver of the Year award.

"What an evening it was," offered the Chicago-area resident. "Winning the Jerry Titus Trophy is definitely a big moment in my career. The list of past winners is unbelievable. To now be included in that circle is just awesome."

Schumacher became the fourth drag racer to earn AARWBA's top honor, joining Don Prudhomme (1976), Shirley Muldowney (1982) and John Force (1996, 1999, 2000, & 2002). Muldowney was the only previous recipient from the Top Fuel class.

"Of course, I'm honored to join that elite group of NHRA Titus winners," he added. "What's especially pleasing is that my sponsor, the U.S. Army, won this award for the second time. They were on Prudhomme's Funny Car in 1976.

"This is clearly the result of the hard work and determination that my U.S. Army team put in throughout last season. Without their never-say-die attitude, we would not have comeback from 336 points down. The Titus Trophy is as much theirs as it is mine."

In honor of Schumacher, the Titus Trophy will go on display at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, Calif. It will be showcased there beginning with the NHRA's annual "Night of Champions" Feb. 9.

"Before we get to enjoy that evening in Pomona, we've got some work to do out at Phoenix (Firebird International Raceway) in two weeks," said Schumacher, a four-time NHRA Top Fuel world champion. "I think we're all looking forward to pre-season testing after an enjoyable off-season. I'm certainly anxious to make that first quarter-mile pass of 2007."