There will be a major points implication in the NHRA’s race to the championship in the coming days.
In the sanctioning body’s Top Fuel class, Tony Schumacher – the winningest driver in series history -was docked 50 Championship points and fined a total of $20,000. The story was first reported by NHRARacer.com.
Following the event in Brainerd, Minnesota, Schumacher and team were found to have disabled safety systems and more. Both the fines and loss of points are appealable.
In the report, Schumacher and his Maynard Family Racing team was penalized for two safety problems. The first one was fined for $10,000 as two disabled safety systems were found on the dragster. An additional $10,000 fine for bypassing a performance restriction device totaling $20,000 in fines. Schumacher and team were docked 50 Championship points which will be crucial heading into the U.S. Nationals.
The infractions were found following the second round at the Lucas Oil Nationals in Brainerd. With the fines, NHRA will dedicate them to the organizations Safety Safari, the traveling safety team for the sport, to help enhance their capabilities.
Maynard Family Racing will appeal and has already filed a formal letter.
“The Maynard Family Racing team strongly disagrees with NHRA’s position,” The team states in an article to CompetitionPlus.com. “The team has filed a formal letter of appeal and has asked that the financial and points penalties be reversed and is awaiting their decision.”
With the Countdown for the Championship looming, Schumacher looked to be safely in the points. All that changed with the safety violations. Prior to the penalty, Schumacher sat eight in Top Fuel points and 64 points ahead of 11th place. Should the penalty be upheld Schumacher will fall to 10th place and only 13 points ahead of Clay Millican at the U.S. Nationals.
NHRA’s biggest race of the season will have added drama should the penalty stand. With points-and-a-half in play for the Labor Day spectacular, one round win can change the landscape of the title race. All of this is pending appeal.
The U.S. Nationals get underway Friday from Indianapolis and concludes on Monday, Labor Day with final eliminations.
Stay tuned for more on AlwaysRaceDay.com.
