Feels like the first time

Winning at Indianapolis Raceway Park never gets old

Tony Schumacher has won the U.S. Nationals two of the last three years.

It's time for our biggest race of the year -- the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals this weekend at Indianapolis Raceway Park (IRP).

The history-laden event is the richest and most prestigious on the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series schedule. It's the race every team points towards when the season starts in February.

I've been fortunate that I've won the U.S. Nationals twice in the last three years. I can tell you, it never gets old winning at Indy. Needless to say, I'd like to get my third title come this Labor Day.

I've been in the finals about half the time I've competed there and every other time has been a depressing day. The whole atmosphere at IRP is so awesome, particularly, when you end up standing in victory lane. It's really special to be a participant in a race that captures the attention of so many people.

When you win at Indy, the one thing you can definitely say is you beat the best given the quality and quantity of cars that show up there. To me, that's what's most important.

Last year, I beat Larry Dixon in the finals. Not only did we capture the U.S. Nationals, we ended up beating the eventual Top Fuel world champion in an event with enormous importance. You can't buy that kind of happiness.

My first win, in 2000, was real special for a lot of reasons. But, probably, the biggest thing that stands out was the fact that we won with the U.S. Army on the car for the first time. That was amazing. We had changed from Exide Batteries to the U.S. Army beginning with that race and went out and won. You can imagine just how many happy U.S. Army folks we had that day.

I'd like to believe we're going into this year's U.S. Nationals with another good shot at winning. We're coming off a finals appearance in Brainerd (Minn.) two weeks ago and a real solid test at IRP last week. So, hopefully, that momentum will carry over.

We're also rolling out a special paint scheme for the U.S. Nationals, which further lends to the excitement for this weekend.

The U.S. Army Top Fuel dragster will be dressed in desert camo colors, in recognition of the soldiers engaged in the war on terrorism. Proceeds generated by the sale of die cast collectibles of the car will go to the U.S. Army Emergency Relief Fund, which helps families of soldiers who have been killed in action.

So, with that, we're off to Indy. "The Sarge" salutes you all. We have a weekend off to recharge our batteries before the Lucas Oil Nationals in Reading, Pa. Until then, please stay well.

Tony Schumacher drives the United States Army sponsored Top Fuel dragster in the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series.