KyraSage
This afternoon it was announced that Tony Schumacher, the winningest driver in Top Fuel history, will be inducted into Bristol Dragway’s Legends of Thunder Valley, the official hall of fame for the historic track. His induction will take place next weekend, June 9th – 11th, during the NHRA Thunder Valley Nationals.
Tony has 86 career wins to his name, and six of them came at Thunder Valley. Those wins came in 2004, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2018. He posted runner-up finishes in 2001 and 2016 and has four No. 1 qualifying positions to his name in 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2008.
A No. 1 qualifier and a win during the 2008 season definitely tracks, as that is the year that is considered to Tony’s best ever. He won 15 races in 18 final rounds, posted 9 No. 1 qualifiers, didn’t lose a first round matchup that season and he was named Driver of the Year for all of motorsports. This also took place during the time, from 2004 – 2009, where Tony won six consecutive championships.
Tony is the 20th inductee into the prestigious Legends of Thunder Valley, joining is father Don Schumacher who was inducted in 2014. And only the second member to be inducted whilst being an active driver, the other is John Force who was inducted in 2016.
The inductees into the Legends of Thunder Valley create quite an impressive list, and it reads as follows;
2023 – Tony “The Sage” Schumacher – Top Fuel
2022 – Don “The Snake” Prudhomme – Funny Car/Top Fuel
2021 – Scotty Cannon – Pro Mod/Funny Car
2019 – Ted Jones – Promoter/Drag Racing Visionary
2018 – Mark Oswald – Funny Car/Top Fuel
2017 – Doug Herbert – Top Fuel
2016 – John Force – Funny Car
2015 – Carl Moore, Bristol Dragway Founder and Connie Kalitta, NHRA Pioneer
2014 – Don Schumacher – NHRA Team Owner/Funny Car Pioneer
2013 – Warren Johnson – Pro Stock
2012 – Gene Fulton – Engine Builder
2011 – Jeff Byrd – Bristol President and GM/RJ Reynolds Marketing
2010 – Shirl Greer – Funny Car
2009 – Dale Pulde – Funny Car
2008 – Ronnie Sox & Buddy Martin – Pro Stock
2007 – Bruton Smith, Speedway Motorsports/Bristol Dragway Owner, Wally Parks, NHRA Founder, Don Garlits, Top Fuel, Larry Carrier, Bristol Dragway Founder
Fans are invited and encouraged to come out and celebrate with Tony. Weekend ticket packages start at $94. Single day Friday tickets start as low as $30 for adults, single day Saturday tickets start at $47 for adults and Sunday tickets start at $37. Tickets for kids 12 and under are free each day in grandstand sections A-U with a paid adult.
To reserve your seat you can visit the BMS website or call Bristol Dragway at (866) 415-4158.
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