DRIVERS TAKING AIM AT AMATO.Byline: TIM TIM Timothy TIM Technical Interchange Meeting TIM Transient Intermodulation Distortion TIM Time Is Money TIM The Invisible Man (movie) TIM Telecom Italia Mobile (Italian cellular provider) HADDOCK Motor Sports Top fuel drivers Tony Schumacher This article is about the drag racer. For the German football players, see Toni Schumacher. Tony Schumacher (born December 25, 1969 in Long Grove, Illinois), is an American drag racer, currently competing in the NHRA top fuel class, of which he is a four-time and Larry Dixon This article is about the novelist and fantasy artist. For the senator from Alabama, see Larry Dixon (politician). For the professional racer, see Larry Dixon (drag racer). Larry Dixon (b. July 28, 1966) is a fantasy artist and novelist. will have the legendary Joe Amato For the Milwaukee mobster, see . Joe Amato (born June 13, 1944 in Exeter, Pennsylvania) is an American dragster driver, who won the NHRA Top Fuel championship a record five occasions and scored 52 event victories. in their sights, but for slightly different reasons, when the NHRA NHRA National Hot Rod Association NHRA Northland Human Resource Association NHRA National Human Resources Association NHRA Nursing Home Reform Act NHRA National Hospice Regatta Alliance NHRA National Heritage Resources Act (South Africa) season starts today at Pomona Raceway. Schumacher is looking to become the first driver to win three straight NHRA top fuel championships since Amato did it from 1990-92. Dixon, the winningest active top fuel driver with 38 victories, is within striking distance of Amato's 52 career top fuel wins. Qualifying begins today for the season-opening NHRA Winternationals, with Schumacher and Dixon beginning their pursuits of Amato's records and their place in NHRA history. ``It's in the back of my mind, but it's not an overwhelming thought,'' Schumacher said about chasing Amato's record of three straight top fuel championships. ``There's so much that can happen during the course of a 23-race season. We'll see what happens come next November.'' Schumacher is coming off a record-setting year of his own. He won a top fuel record five straight races to close out the season, made a record seven straight final-round appearances and finished 415 points ahead of Dixon in the top fuel championship, a record for margin of victory. ``Everyone starts from zero again, so nobody really cares about the previous year,'' Schumacher said. ``To be sure, we had a terrific season in 2005, but I will guarantee you that we will be in for another tough fight for the top spot.'' Dixon won three races in 2005 and passed Don Garlits Donald Glenn Garlits (born January 14, 1932, Tampa, Florida) is considered the father of drag racing. He is known as the "Big Daddy" to drag racing fans around the world. Always a pioneer in the field of drag-racing, he, with the help of T.C. , who won 35 top fuel races in his career, for third place in top fuel history. ``I passed him in numbers in numbered parts; as, a book published in numbers. See also: Number , but not in a respect factor,'' said Dixon, a Van Nuys High graduate. ``There weren't many races on tour when he raced. It's certainly an honor to be mentioned in the same breath with him, but I still don't feel worthy.'' With one more win, Dixon will tie Kenny Bernstein Kenny Bernstein (born September 6 1944 in Clovis, New Mexico), is an American drag racing driver. Drag racing career Bernstein first became a full-time professional Funny Car driver in 1979, although he had participated in a few events in preceding years. for second on the top fuel victory list. Bernstein won 39 races in his career. Dixon will be one of the top challengers in the top fuel division. He was one of seven drivers to win a race in 2005. Even though Schumacher won the points championship by a record margin, several drivers and teams showed the ability to win races. ``Impressive is probably the best word to describe it,'' Schumacher said. ``Like last year, there won't be any easy outs. We will have to scratch and claw for everything, you can bet on that.'' Brandon Bernstein, David Grubnic and Rod Fuller became first-time winners in the top fuel class last year. Bernstein won twice. Brothers Scott and Doug Kalitta Doug Kalitta (b. August 20 1964, Ypsilanti, Michigan) is an American auto racing driver. He was the 1994 USAC National Sprint Car Champion and is a current NHRA top fuel drag racer. Doug Kalitta is the nephew of Hall of Fame driver Connie Kalitta. combined for seven wins. But it was Schumacher who separated himself from the pack in the final seven races. He wrapped up his third career top fuel championship with a win in Las Vegas Las Vegas (läs vā`gəs), city (1990 pop. 258,295), seat of Clark co., S Nev.; inc. 1911. It is the largest city in Nevada and the center of one of the fastest-growing urban areas in the United States. , the second-to-last race of the season, and punctuated his record-setting year with a win in the season finale at Pomona Raceway. And he likes the view from the top. ``Absolutely, if possible, I want to be leading from start to finish,'' Schumacher said. ``I hate chasing.'' Schumacher will have the luxury of keeping his team almost fully intact, including crew chief Alan Johnson. ``I have the best team in the world and the best crew chief in the world on my side - I'm quite blessed,'' Schumacher said. ``I just have to make sure I continue to do my job.'' Dixon, on the other hand, had a major change in leadership on his team. Donnie Bender will take over crew chief duties from Dick LaHaie on Dixon's team. LaHaie was Dixon's crew chief through both top fuel championships and 30 of his 38 career victories. ``I feel better about going into the 2006 season than I did going into the first year with LaHaie in 2000,'' Dixon said. ``Donnie Bender is a very capable person, which we've already seen in some testing with him running the car.'' Dixon's team owner, Don Prudhomme Don 'The Snake' Prudhomme, (born April 6 1941, San Fernando, California) is an American dragster racer, who won the NHRA funny car championship four times in a thirty-five-year career. He was the first funny car driver to exceed 250 mph. , has tremendous confidence in Bender as well. ``I believe that when you build a team and an organization that you like to see people grow and go to the next level,'' said Prudhomme, a Van Nuys High graduate. ``Donnie was just a natural to go into that spot. It was something that Dick and Donnie have talked about for some time and that time is now.'' CAPTION(S): photo, box Photo: 2005 NASCAR NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing), organization that sanctions American stock-car races, est. 1948. It held its first race in Daytona Beach, Fla. NEXTEL CUP SERIES WINNER, TONY STEWART David Graham/Associated Press Box: RACE WEEK BY TIM HADDOCK |
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