Schumacher makes NHRA history in Concord

CONCORD — Tony Schumacher became the winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history Sunday, beating Antron Brown in the finals of the inaugural Carolinas Nationals at zMax Dragway.

It was career win No. 53 for Schumacher, breaking a tie with Joe Amato. He also set records by winning his 28th consecutive round of eliminations, his 12th event of the season, and his seventh in a row.

In the other professional categories:

One of Schumacher’s teammates, Jack Beckman, captured a photo-finish Funny Car final over Cruz Pedregon. The margin of victory at the finish line was 1/1,000th of a second.

Justin Humphreys had a solo run in the Pro Stock final when the car driven by Kurt Johnson would not start on its own, per NHRA rules.

Steve Johnson, who hadn’t won in three years until the U.S. Nationals two weeks ago, captured his second straight Pro Stock Motorcycle crown. His opponent, Eddie Krawiec, left the starting line 2/1,000ths of a second before the green light flashed to make Johnson the automatic winner.

*****from Thomas Pope at www.fayobserver.com by way of Big Jim Modlin at GREENSBOROSports.com*****