Inspired Tony Schumacher closing in on Top Fuel title

With his buzzcut, rigid posture and U.S. Army firesuit, "The Sarge" looks the part. But Tony Schumacher wasn't the first one to carry that nickname.

His car was.

"I take a little bit of abuse for the nickname — not from soldiers, but from a few others," Schumacher told USA Today Sports. "It started out that the car was 'The Sarge', not me, but shortly afterward, the soldiers started calling me that. I kept saying I didn't deserve it, but they made it crystal clear that they wanted me to have the nickname.

"I never served, but I feel like I've done my job for the Army. There are millions of civilians that help make the Army what it is, and I feel like I'm part of the civilian side. … I don't call myself that; they do. That makes me proud. It's a proud thing for them, and it makes me proud in return."

Schumacher needs only to qualify for the 50th annual Auto Club NHRA Finals this weekend to clinch his eighth Top Fuel title — adding to his record — and he's still as enthusiastic about his U.S. Army sponsorship as he was when it started 15 years ago.

Truth be told, Schumacher says, the Army is his inspiration.

"The people I've met in the Army over the years are our success as a team," Schumacher said. "It's easy to complain, but when I see Americans who have sacrificed themselves for others, I have no complaints anymore. These soldiers are bad to the bone. It's amazing when you meet people who live their lives for other people."

Schumacher isn't the only one battling for an NHRA Mello Yello Drag Racing Series championship this weekend at Pomona, Calif., just the one with the biggest lead — 109 points over Spencer Massey — heading into the event, which runs through Sunday's finals.

--Matt Hagan and John Force are involved in a tight fight for the Funny Car championship, with 65-year-old Force just 29 points behind Hagan heading into the weekend. Force is trying to secure a record 17th crown.

--Erica Enders-Stevens is just 17 points ahead of Jason Line and 84 points ahead of Dave Connolly in the Pro Stock class. Enders-Stevens is trying to become the first female to win a Pro Stock title. So far the closest anyone has come is Enders-Stevens, fourth in 2012.

--And in Pro Stock Motorcycle, Andrew Hines leads Eddie Krawiec by 92 points.

Meanwhile, Schumacher says he expects Army to return for another season on his and Don Schumacher Racing teammate Antron Brown's dragsters. Unlike National Guard sponsorships that left NASCAR and IndyCar this year, the Army deal is linked directly to recruiting. The numbers are good, and Schumacher is confident Army will return.

"Our deal isn't about advertising, it's about recruiting," he said. "It is linked to what it costs to reach a kid and put him in boots. Our numbers are staggering."

For Schumacher, another championship will be for the crew members he calls "my nine guys."

"It's the most humbling sport in the world," Schumacher said. "Everyone gives me the trophies and the championships and the credit, but I'm just the guy who drives the car. I can't even start the thing. That's how humbling it is."

Humbling, too, was his experience while eating at a restaurant on Veteran's Day. Schumacher wanted to do his part. Spotting two men wearing caps commemorating their service in Vietnam, he tried to buy their dinners but someone else beat him to it.

"How cool is that?" he said. "They're being recognized for their service, something that didn't always happen in the past. It was awesome to see."

Schumacher pauses. "I don't want to drive for anyone else," he says. "I have had an awesome career. I can't tell you how proud I am to drive this car."

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