Winningest Top Fuel driver in NHRA history will continue with sponsor SCAG Power Equipment through 2025.
Tony Schumacher is going to get a chance to make up for lost time.
Schumacher, the eight-time NHRA Top Fuel champion who was without a ride due to lack of major sponsorship from 2019-21, is back in 2022 with sponsorship from SCAG Power Equipment, and on Saturday, SCAG and the Maynard Family Racing (JCM) team announced a multiyear deal that is expected to keep Schumacher in the game through at least 2025.
Schumacher, 52, is the all-time leader with 86 Top Fuel wins and the eight championships. His last championship came with Don Schumacher Racing in 2014. Tony Schumacher lost a 19-year sponsorship deal with the Army after the 2018 season.
Tony Schumacher won his 86th Top Fuel event earlier this season at Pacific Raceway near Seattle.
NHRA/National Dragster
SCAG Power Equipment is a Wisconsin-based company that specializes in commercial and residential riding, stand-on and walk-behind lawn mowers. SCAG joined forces with Tony Schumacher for the first time this year for the Gatornationals at Gainesville. The original sponsorship deal for 2022 called for a seven-race primary/six-race co-primary one-year partnership.
“Truly unbelievable how this program has grown,” said Schumacher, currently 12th in the 2022 Camping World Series Top Fuel standings with five races to go. “Everyone has been so supportive and excited, and it feels like an actual family. After the Army left, I wondered who could ever fill those shoes and I made it clear that I didn’t want just ‘any old sponsor.’ We wanted a company that was truly behind us and excited about the partnership. That is what we have found with SCAG. Not only do they make phenomenal products, but the people behind the machines are amazing. From the production plants in Wisconsin, to the owners and employees of the dealerships, to the end users who I have the pleasure of meeting weekly. I feel extremely blessed to have this opportunity for the next several years.”
Majority team owners Joe and Cathi Maynard first started with the Schumacher-piloted team as sponsors before transitioning into an ownership role this season.
“Moving from primary sponsorship to ownership has made Cathi and I very aware of the importance of a great partnering sponsor like SCAG,” said Joe Maynard. “Maynard Family Racing is excited for the new opportunity the SCAG and JCM teams will realize in the next few years, and the resultant successes we will achieve. My personal thanks to Randy (Gloede), and the SCAG organization for their commitment to Tony and JCM.”
Mike Pryson Mike Pryson covered auto racing for the Jackson (Mich.) Citizen Patriot and MLive Media Group from 1991 until joining Autoweek in 2011.
Keyword: Tony Schumacher Secures Three-Year Sponsorship Deal in Quest for Ninth NHRA Top Fuel Title